Chapter 17 – Karl

The battle between the Australian Warship HMAS Sydney and the German Emden is described in detail by Arthur Jose in Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-18, vol IX, The Royal Australian Navy , Chapter VII: “The Sydney-Emden Fight and its Results” (p. 179-207). Photographs of The Sydney and Emden are included (opposite p. 178). Map 13 (opposite p. 184) shows route traced by each ship during the battle, as well as Direction Island (cable station) and North Keeling Island (Emden run aground). Jose’s official history can be accessed via the Australian War Memorial website:

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1417021

Many details in this chapter are also taken from Peter Plowman’s account in Voyage to Gallipoli, chapter 15 “The Battle of the Cocos Islands” (pp. 155-172) . Plowman includes several quotes from paricipants in the battle, including the memoirs of Arthur Werner, a crew member on the Emden and the diary of Surgeon-Lieutenant Arthur Todd, the ship’s doctor on Sydney .

One of Emden’s four inch guns was recovered and sits mounted on a monument to HMAS Sydney ’s victory, on display in the south east corner of Hyde Park in Sydney. A scar gouged during the sea battle can be observed half way along the barrel.