From HMAS Sydney Commission of Inquiry

 

12 January 2009

HMAS SYDNEY Commission of Inquiry

 

On 19 November 1941, the Royal Australian Navy Modified Leander Class light cruiser HMAS SYDNEY II, en route to Fremantle, intercepted the disguised German raider the HSK KORMORAN about 100 nautical miles west of Steep Point off the coast of Western Australia. In the ensuing battle, HMAS SYDNEY was sunk with the loss of her entire crew of 645 men. The HSK KORMORAN was subsequently scuttled with the loss of 81 lives.

 

Following the discovery of the wrecks of HMAS SYDNEY and HSK KORMORAN by The Finding Sydney Foundation in March 2008, the Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal A.G. Houston AC, AFC, established a Commission of Inquiry, charged with the following Terms of Reference:

 

To inquire into and report upon the circumstances associated with the loss of HMAS SYDNEY in November 1941 and consequent loss of life and related events thereto.

 

"All underwater photographic images of the wrecks of HMAS Sydney (II) and HKS KORMORAN were taken by David L. Mearns at the time of location of the wrecks onboard MV Geosounder."

 

and

 

HMAS Sydney II Commission of Inquiry Exhibits List

Why is this inquiry taking place 67 years afterwards? Seems to be a bit late.

Downloaded and reading the detailed "database" of 0106 Report on Technical Aspects of the Sinking of HMAS SYDNEY and HSK KORMORAN http://www.defence.gov.au/sydneyii/DSTO/DSTO.003.0001.pdf