HMAS Sydney

1. RELATIVES OF SYDNEY"S CREW KEPT IN DARK-- Close to 780 relatives applied or the five spots available on board the HMAS Anzac when it was to have a ceremony at the wreck site. This is because of a lack of room. Five were selected by random ballot. All ,however, have been invited to attend the national memorial service in Sydney on April 24th.

2. THE APRIL 11th WEST AUSTRALIAN-- reports that the work of the Finding Sydney Corporation had come to a conclusion.

David Mearms said the Sydney will keep some of its secrets forever, but many questions have been answered. "We'll never really know the Australian side of it because no-one lived and it's not our job to speculate--we'll leave that to the historians."

They took over 60 hours of video and 1400 still photos of the two vessels. Their website also has a place for people to write their own theories which is quite active.

3. GERMAN ACCOUNT-- the April 2nd Independent of Europe interviewed German Kormoran survivor Edmund Buttner, 87.

"Sydney went down because we hit it with one of our torpedoes and because it was burning fiercely. Her chance of staying afloat were zero.

The Kormoran, 8,700 tons was disguised as a Dutch freighter but armed with six hidden 5.9 inch guns, torpedoes and seaplanes. The Sydney was 6,800 tons, eight 6 inch guns and four 4 inch guns. The Sydney came within point blank range at 1000 yards. "We took them completely by surprise."