March 26th Australian Express article by Malcolm Brown.
The survivors of the Kormoran most likely were telling the truth about the encounter with the HMAS Sydney.
Eleven Germans were interviewed after the fight and all said that no white flag was run up as if to surrender and a war ensign was raised while the ship was decamouflaging in preparation to open fire.
They also denied that the Sydney's survivors were machine-gunned in the life rafts.
The Australian court of inquiry began back in May, 2008 and so far have had 22 days of evidence from 66 witnesses, had 230 exhibits and looked at 200,000 pages of archives. A final report is expected in June.
CONTROVERSY CONTINUES
And probably always will. Rumors that the German Captain Detmer lured the Sydney in and fired a torpedo abound. Also, there is the story that a Japanese submarine working with the Kormoran torpedoed the Sydney as she was withdrawing from action.
Professor Tom Frame wrote a book about the engagement and said that he did not think Detmer was above ruthless behavior.
And the Story Continues and Most Likely Will Never Be Known in Its Entirety. --Cooter
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