HMAS Sydney (II) sunk by German cruiser Kormoran

On this day, 19 November 1941, the modified Leander class light cruiser HMAS Sydney (II) (Captain J Burnett, RAN) was sunk in action following a fierce engagement with the German raider HSK Kormoran off the coast of Western Australia.

HMAS Sydney was the pride of the Australian fleet following her actions in the Mediterranean earlier in the war and her loss was deeply felt by the entire Australian community. All 645 crew were lost.

Lest we forget.