HMAS Sydney's Unknown Sailor finally identified

The Unknown Sailor - the sole body recovered following the sinking of HMAS Sydney during World War II - has finally been identified.
Today marks 80 years since one of Australia's greatest naval tragedies occurred, an event which saw the deaths of all 645 sailors onboard.

[@grabbag3307]

Whoever did the work to make this happen, thank you!

[@kwd3109]

I've been following this compelling story here in the States for years. I read about the man and carly float washing up on Christmas Island. Good job Australia seeing it through and finally identifying this brave sailor. God bless the gallant crew of HMAS Sydney.

[@davidrogers6398]

R.I.P all our Great and Brave Soldiers!✊✊

[@daniellebcooper7160]

Long live Remembrance Day and all those that it represents.

[@pupikpupik4252]

God bless our heroes

[@baronsaturday3738]

Many Australians would be surprised to know how much German activity there was off the coasts before Japan entered the war.

[@nickhanlon9331]

And afterwards as well. They shared a base in Penang with the Japanese and they went as far as New Zealand. Nowhere was safe.

[@nedkelly9688]

Not really our coast watchers spread out all over the Pacific region saw everything. and why the Captain of Sydney was warned prior to this that there was enemy sighted and to not do what he always did and get too close to unidentified ships until recieved the proper codes as to allie or not.

[@MyLateralThawts]

This should be made into a movie. Someone contact Mel Gibson to direct.

[@aussienscale]

RIP, fair winds and following seas ! Bravo Zulu for staying on this and giving a name to this sailor !!

[@davidgreen5099]

Watch over. Rest easy.

[@cathyjacobs1042]

RIP

[@southpakrules]

FYI, the 2:40 to 2:49 shots, are in fact not Australian but German sailors, on board the (ironically enough) actual Komoran! At 2:46 you can see the German language in the ship's engine telegraph.

[@starkiller9897]

Great to have his identity may he rest in peace back on Australian soil after serving Australia bravely and with honour as so many great Australians in the armed forces did!!

[@AdamosDad]

"Fair Winds and Following Seas" Brothers on your eternal patrol.

[@rondameier8168]

Finally RIP sir.... And rest in peace to all 640 sailors who lost their lives that day..... It's crazy that none were found but this one..... May they all rest easy knowing we all remember them and all of those who gave their lives protecting the world from evil. Sad that this current society has forgotten the lessons and courage and morals from our ancestors.....

[@melsharp4613]

Fair winds and following seas.

[@vernonwhite4660]

May all those sacrificed be known as heros. And may God be with their souls

[@ladylaois8184]

these brave souls fought for freedom remember that ?

[@infidel202]

Dark times, lest we forget

[@biglovebetterworldbetteryou]

The Humanity Net Project

[@domenicozagari2443]

A victim of friendly fire from the air force.

[@southpakrules]

German cruiser? You wish. It was a weaponized cargo vessel, aka raider, trying to lure and sink ailed cargo vessels. For Komoran to sank the Sydney, it's like David beating Goliath. That's why Sydney was able to sink Komoran with only a few successful hits.

[@ctvtmo]

Firepower wise, they were evenly matched. And I believe the Kormoran actually had the much larger displacement.

[@meatpopsicle1567]

The correct term for that ship type was "auxiliary cruiser." Merchant raider referred to Kormoran's mission. She was never intended to engage armed and armored warships, but instead to take and destroy enemy merchant vessels. HMAS Sydney displaced less than half the displacement of Kormoran. Sydney was slightly longer than Kormoran, though, but she was also twice as fast and better armored. That Kormoran was able to destroy Sydney seems to speak more to a likely overabundance of caution by Sydney's skipper than it does to Kormoran's abilities. It was still rather early in the war and a lack of wartime experience and aggression was prevalent at that time on both sides. Kormoran's skipper got lucky. While he did lose his ship, he managed to engage and sink a much faster, better armored warship. The German losses included six officers and seventy-six men, out of a crew of twenty-five officers and three hundred seventy-five men. We all know how many officers and men went down with Sydney. The victory, such as it was, went to the Germans that day.

[@peterhavord5984]

Why is Scott Morrison's nickname Pinocchio ?

[@ricky6608]

Cause he’s a good bloke

[@brothermaynard3200]

Why is Albosleazy referred to as each-way Albo?

[@dannywlm63]

I don't believe ,but god bless him and his family. I don't know what the modern term is if you don't believe, but very happy with god bless for the brave bloke. Bollocks to me sounds like the bird is practically fucking singing and thinks she has done something

[@rondameier8168]

You can also just use the word blessings... The respect you showed is what matters...

[@josegoncalves7013]

If only they could see Andrews great work .

[@k956upg]

Can we honour these brave men or would that be deemed racist anti vax etc…

[@mgaeeeee9150]

Good, now let's work on the Somerton Man....... *fucking spell check

[@avus-kw2f213]

How do you win a battle then sink so fast that no one survive ? (Thinking emoji)

[@avus-kw2f213]

@Projekt Kobra so pretty much Bad crisis control like the Japanese

[@tjoonatv2848]

@@avus-kw2f213 It was hypothesized that the crew thought that the cruiser could still be saved, and steamed away without realizing the true damage caused by the torpedo. At high speeds, the bow may have suddenly broke off, killing most of the crew quickly. Survivors that did managed to get off may have died from exposure, like the man mentioned here. It definitely didn't help that the whole ship was already a raging inferno by then.

[@avus-kw2f213]

@@tjoonatv2848 thank you for your insights

[@petersone6172]

According to the only surviving eyewitnesses she didn’t sink quickly, but it’s very likely that by the time the shooting stopped maybe about the crew were dead or dying, I bet the remaining crew even the seriously wounded would have been trying to save their ship and shipmates. It’s very difficult to imagine what it would have been like on board at that time. It seems most of those who could abandon ship chose to risk their lives to save those who couldn’t save themselves.

[@avus-kw2f213]

@@petersone6172 ok I think there would’ve been a sizeable Uninjured crew but brilliant insights

[@lukei6255]

A bit slow Australians. But that's part of your national character, isn't it?

[@brothermaynard3200]

And what fourth world toilet did you spring from?

[@keithmoore8429]

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare>>

[@teddystauffer4614]

Only a sank warship is a good ship 😂

[@george217]

RIP