At hearings in Australia as to the loss of the Sydney, the possibility that it the Sydney was sunk by a ruse or series of ruses was put forth. The Kormoran likely used these to lure the Sydney within range of a destructive attack.
The Kormoran was disguised as the Dutch merchant ship Straat Malakka on the Nov. 19, 1941 battle. It may have sailed into the sun after being hailed by the Sydney, or put up confusing flag signals.
Either way, the experienced captain of the Sydney, fell for the gambit and was essentially knocked out of battle in the early moments.
A Devastating Loss to Australia Three Weeks Before Pearl Harbor. --Old Coot
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