Raider Kormoran

[Mike Swan]

An enjoyed thread and excellent substance. I always have in mind to procure a colani with NCO tresse like your nice example, not an easy find.

-Ray-

Ditto from me.

Mike

[Leroy]

A couple more and that's it for tonight. Thanks, Bob!

[compressore]

Kormoran files

Hi,

I am very happy to see so much contributions to the thread.

For interest here is a document to another crewman from the Kormoran who was interned at Murchison,it informs him that he has been awarded the Kriegsabzeichen fur Hilfskreuzer.

Regards,Martin.

Hi Martin,

here the link to Krebs POW file:
http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/Searc...9908860&isAv=N
Use the "search option". There are more documents listed about him. If not in digital form, you can order it. Fees are not high. That is what I have done.

I was in Canberra three weeks ago on a business trip. I recognized that the story of the Kormoran and HMS Sydney is still a topic and widely known and discussed in Australia.
Interesting documents to read are the report to the parliament (1999)
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_...dney/Reportinx

and also the acces to the original files in the archives:
http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/fact-sheets/fs111.aspx

Regards
Christian

[compressore]

Badges

Dug badges.....

Hi,
interesting to see a Hilfskreuzer badge among those dug up ones.
I am wondering how it came to Australia ? By shipment from relatives ? Via the red cross ?

Also it is interesting to see the post about uniforms delivered to the POWs.

Regards
Christian

[Paul.B.]

A lifeboat from the Kormoran was sold at an early post war disposal sale in Perth.
I believe the new owner added a small cabin and was used around the Bunbury
(250km south of Perth) area until i'm not sure when but capsized in a storm
and was last known to be under 3 metres of sand in the Leschenault estuary
just north of Bunbury.
HMAS Sydney went down with all hands and was a national mystery
until it was discovered in 2008 allowing a lot of family members to finally know
the final resting place of loved ones.

[newoq11]

wow.nice pics,and great items shows!!!

[Gran Sasso]

Thanks for all the pics - and sorry for skipping the "A" in HMAS Sydney.... ;-)

To bad back then (1999) I had no idea of the story, so missind the POW-camp. So time for a nother visit!

What number is the ATB-Magazine?

[Bob Lyons]

Thanks for all the pics - and sorry for skipping the "A" in HMAS Sydney.... ;-)

To bad back then (1999) I had no idea of the story, so missind the POW-camp. So time for a nother visit!

What number is the ATB-Magazine?

Hi GS,

The ATB is number 144 (2009).

Best wishes

Bob

[Gran Sasso]

Hi GS,

The ATB is number 144 (2009).

Best wishes

Bob

Thanks Bob - just ordered a copy

[compressore]

Wrecks

Here is the link to the fianl report of 2009 after discovering both ships.
As far as I understood, this has closed some chapters of the long lasting discussions.

http://www.defence.gov.au/sydneyii/f...ort/index.html

Most intresting is the examinatiobn of both ships wrecks with detailed explanations of damages and causes with nice underwater photographs. They could even count how much torpedoes were used by the ships as remaining ones are still in their tubes.

http://www.defence.gov.au/sydneyii/f...apter%2012.pdf
Note: this links is the wreck report (13.7 MB pdf)

Regards
Christian

[Oscar]

Really great shot Christian!

Best, Rob

[Martin W]

Hi Martin,

here the link to Krebs POW file:

Thanks Christian,

i will look into that later.This has turned into a very interesting thread with some great images and links,thanks to all.

Here is photocopy that came with my Kormoran HK award document.The guy in the back with the cross above his head is Friedrich Krebs.

I beleive the original photo was taken at Murchison.

Regards,Martin.

Regards,Martin.

[Martin W]

Dug badges and a photo of a model of a Condor made by a prisoner. Bob says the model is in Melbourne today with a private collector.

I'd love to see who the maker of that HK award was.

I have seen images of one original HK award that was sent to the family of a Kormoran crewman in Germany by the KM while he was interned at Murchison.It was a zinc Steinhauer & Luck made badge.

Regards,Martin.

[JustinG]

Fascinating thread gentlemen. Thanks to all who contributed.
Wow!

Best Regards,
JustinG

[Joe Slavick]

Fantastic Colani! Wow. what a truly historic piece.


I LOVE the then and now photos and all of the additional shots of artifacts.

This has been a real joy to read and review! Thanks.

Christian: Perhaps some additional information for you. The following is what I have in my Hilfskreuzer Crewman Database for Emmerich.

Verwaltungsmaat (Sv) Edgar Erich Helmut Emmerich. Born: 31-Jan-1916. Marinestammrollen Nummer: N 0733/37 S. Verwaltungsobermaat (Sv) on 01 Sep 1942. Australian POW #42127. One of the 70 KORMORAN sailors in the life boat rescued in position 24˚59’ S; 112˚22’ E, by HMAS YANDRA on 27 Nov 1941. Escaped from captivity on 15 Aug 1946 and recaptured on 27 Aug 1946, sentenced to 28 days detention. Departed for repatriation on 22 Jan 1947 aboard ORONTES bound for Cuxhaven.

Joe Slavick