Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:29:48-2:30:23

Was Sydney already at action stations?

Sydney's trained guns and torpedoes indicate action stations and strong suspicion, complicating any claim that Kormoran's disguise fully relaxed the cruiser.

DeceptionHMAS SydneyKormoranNaval IntelligenceStandard Operating Procedures
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Question

Was Sydney at action stations while approaching Kormoran?

Short answer

Apparently so: her turrets and torpedoes were trained, showing strong suspicion even though she continued to close the range.

Notes

Sydney's trained turrets and torpedo tubes are taken as evidence that the ship was at action stations. The cruiser already regarded Kormoran as suspicious. Those preparations complicate an explanation in which the raider's disguise completely relaxed Sydney's guard. The unresolved issue is why a prepared and suspicious cruiser continued closing to such short range.