From the Jan. 14, 2009, Stawell (Au) Times-News.
Design flaws on the HMAS Sydney led to its destruction by making it vulnerable to shellfire from the German raider Kormoran. The lifeboats were clustered too close to the aircraft and their highly flammable fuel. Plus, when the attack started, all the senior officers were on the bridge, a major German target in the initial seconds of the battle.
The Kormoran evidently took the Sydney by surprise and were able to fire with pinpoint accuracy, immediately knocking the fore and aft turrets out of action along with the gun control tower.
Doors in some internal bulkheads were made of thin metal and plywood.
It is estimated that 70% of the crew would have been incapacitated by shells and bullets or because they were trapped below decks and overcome by smoke and fumes.
The court on inquiry was being held because there were no survivors of the Sydney's crew.
A Horrible Day in Australian History.
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