HMAS Sydney Search Pty Ltd. is appealing today to anyone who may have important original documents relating to the missing vessel HMAS Sydney II. HMAS Sydney Search Pty Ltd. is a not for profit company conducting the in-water search for the wreck, sunk off the Western Australian coast following a gun battle with the German Raider Kormoran, on 19 November 1941.
All 645 officers and crew were tragically killed and the precise nature of the battle and whereabouts of the HMAS Sydney II wreck remains Australia’s greatest maritime mystery.
HMAS Sydney Search Pty Ltd Chairman Ted Graham said while there have been many searches of archives in Australia and overseas, the organisation is aware that some important original documents might still remain in private hands or lie un-recognised in official repositories.
“If you have any original documents relating to the loss of HMAS Sydney II and its adversary HSK Kormoran or relating to the extensive air and sea search for survivors covering the period 19 - 29 November 1941 that are not yet in the public domain, please help us by sending a copy of this information to HMAS Sydney Search,” Mr Graham said.
“We are seeking original documents (as opposed to transcripts created at a later
date) including;
- Official logs, reports or records of war time radio communications
- Private diaries, journals or letters from people directly involved with the
extensive air and sea search for survivors
- Logs, diaries, radio communications or photographs from the ships
involved in the sea search for survivors (HMT Aquitania, HMAS Yandra,
HMAS Heros, HMAS Wyrallah, Koolinda, Centaur, Olive Cam, Uco, Cape Otway, Evagoras, Tromp, Herstein, Hermion, Pan Europe, Wanganella, Saidja, Sunetta), Trocus, Ohio, Zaanland, Troja, Nordnes and Gunbar
- Logs, diaries, radio communications or photographs from the aircraft
involved in the air search for survivors: (Catalinas from No. 11 Squadron;
Hudsons from Darwin; Hudsons from No. 14 Squadron; Wirraways from No. 25 Squadron; and Ansons from No. 4 S.F.T.S).
Media Contact:
Ted Graham
Chairman
The Finding Sydney Foundation
media@findingsydney.com
(+)61-8-9261 7749