VOL 71 No4 - Navy League of Australia

OBSERVATIONS
By Geoff Evans
HMAS SYDNEY II – THE FINAL INQUIRY?
At the time these comments are prepared the writer has not had an
opportunity to read the Cole report on the loss of the cruiser SYDNEY
(II) and her complement in November 1941 and over 50 years have
passed since he first read an account of SYDNEY’s (II) engagement with
the German raider KORMORAN off the coast of Western Australia. The
account was in ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY 1939-42, first volume of the
naval series in “Australia in the War of 1939-45” published in 1957.
Another 40 years passed before he read the 1999 report of Parliament’s
Joint Standing Committee of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade on the
loss of the cruiser.
From media reports of the latest (Cole) inquiry it would seem the 1957
account of the events leading up to the meeting of the two ships, the
action that followed, and the aftermath was substantially correct: Of
major importance was the Coles Inquiry’s conclusion, after interviewing
surviving KORMORAN crew members in Germany, that the original
German accounts of the events on 19 November 1941 were generally
correct.
It should be said that the author of the two RAN at war volumes, Hermon
Gill, was well equipped for the task. He became a journalist and writer
on maritime affairs after service as a deck officer in the British Merchant
Service. As a member of the RANVR he spent most of the war as an
Intelligence Officer in the navy’s Intelligence Division. Chosen to write the
formal history after the war Gill had access to a wide range of documents
including minutes of the War Cabinet and Advisory War Council, the
Admiralty and Naval Board, letter of proceedings, Allied and enemy
papers etc.
The later (1997-9) Parliamentary inquiry’s Terms of Reference enabled
an examination of the numerous claims, rumors and theories that had
emerged over the years, as well as the possibility of finding the wrecks
of SYDNEY and KORMORAN and other aspects of the engagement.
While the claims could not be substantiated, a further controversy was
anticipated and this indeed happened. A search for the two ships was
recommended and eight years later they were found.
In all the circumstances the inquiry conducted by Commissioner Terence
Cole and his team was necessary; it is to be hoped the conclusions
reached will end the speculation that has surrounded the WW II SYDNEY-
KORMORAN action. Vital aspects of the engagement, in particular the
events leading to SYDNEY’s ultimate destruction will for ever remain
unknown – there is no-one to provide SYDNEY’s (II) side of the story.
Captain Burnett and his men should be left in peace with the many other’s
whose grave is the sea.
MILITARY JUSTICE
It is surprising to say the least that it has taken two years to decide the
Defence Force Military Court lacks authority; nevertheless despite the
way some media outlets described the situation the ADF has not become
an undisciplined mob.
Is it possible that our lawmakers have placed so many regulations, rules
and restrictions on the citizenry that they have become confused and lost
track of the consequence of their activities?
MILITARY EXERCISES
The writer has noted proposals to include China in the military exercises
that regularly take place between Australia and the United States and
other countries, the object being to improve the relationship with China
in a wider area.
“War Games” between various countries take place in Europe and many
other parts of the world including Australia’s area, no doubt to improve
efficiency and possibly in some cases to keep an eye on one another. If
India and the two Koreas became a part of the local jointness even more
harmony might follow. Who Knows?
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
of the Navy League of Australia
will be held at the Brassey Hotel, Belmore Gardens, Barton ACT FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER 2009 AT 8.00PM
BUSINESS
1 To confirm the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held in Canberra on Friday 31 October 2008
2 To receive the report of the Federal Council, and to consider matters arising
3 To receive the financial statements of the year ended 30 June 2009
4 To elect Office Bearers for the 2009-2010 years as follows:
• Federal President
• Federal Vice-President
• Additional Vice-Presidents (3)
Nominations for these positions are to be lodged with the Honorary Secretary
prior to the commencement of the meeting.
5 General Business:
• To deal with any matter notified in writing to the Honorary Secretary by 20 October 2009
All members
are welcome
to attend
By order of the Federal Council
Philip Corboy
Honorary Federal Secretary
PO Box 128
Clayfield QLD 4011
Tel 1300 739 681
Fax 1300 739 682
22 THE NAVY VOL. 71 NO. 4