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Image Not Available for HMAS SYDNEY II lapel badge
HMAS SYDNEY II lapel badge
Image Not Available for HMAS SYDNEY II lapel badge

HMAS SYDNEY II lapel badge

Datec 1930
Object number00044561
NameBadge
MediumMetal, enamel
DimensionsOverall: 60 x 70 mm
ClassificationsCommemorative artefacts
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis souvenir lapel badge on its original card of issue refers to HMAS SYDNEY (II) whose loss at sea in 1941 became the greatest disaster of the Royal Australian Navy during peacetime or war. The badge features the badge of the ship surrounded by a golden horseshoe and was manufactured in Plymouth, England. HMAS SYDNEY was a modified Leander class light-cruiser commissioned on 24 September 1935.HistoryThe loss of HMAS SYDNEY (II) was the worst suffered by the Royal Australian Navy. SYDNEY sailed from Fremantle on Armistice Day, 11 November 1941 to escort the troopship ZEALANDIA to the Sunda Strait. Returning to Fremantle along the north west coast of Western Australia, an unidentified vessel was sighted on 19 November 1941 some 209 kilometres west of Shark Bay. The ship, the German raider KORMORAN disguised as the Dutch merchantman STRAAT MALAKKA, took some time in identifying itself and deceptively broadcast a 'suspicious ship' message. SYDNEY's efforts to establish the true identity of the vessel resulted in closing the range to a point where she no longer had the advantage of her superior armament. With the unknown ship not understanding the middle two letters of its secret sign SYDNEY signalled in plain language 'Show your secret sign'. The Dutch flag was subsequently struck to be replaced with the German Naval Ensign. The KORMORAN opened fire on SYDNEY hitting SYDNEY a number of times. Within 55 minutes, both ships had been severely damaged. The KORMORAN was subsequently abandoned by its crew whilst HMAS SYDNEY was last sighted on fire drifting over the horizon. Of SYDNEY's total complement of 42 officers and 603 ratings, none survived. The only material evidence recovered from SYDNEY was an Australian naval type Carley life-float recovered eight days after the action along with an Australian naval pattern life-belt both now held at the Australian War Memorial. The loss of SYDNEY was devastating for the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian public. Theories have circulated on the actual chain of events on that fateful day including the participation of German and/or Japanese submarines. The wreck of HMAS SYDNEY was located on 16 March 2008 near the coast of Steep Point Western Australia, 66 years after it sank. It was located 10 kilometres from the German ship KORMORAN.SignificanceThis badge serves as a reminder of the loss of HMAS SYDNEY II and its crew in 1941 during a sea battle with the German raider KORMORAN off the coast of Western Australia.