Fine Ships and Gallant Sailors

I grew up in Australia where ANZAC Day is an annual holiday, but I had never heard of this battle. But if it hadn’t happened, the Australians and New Zealanders might not have made it to Galipoli, and the history of the First World War could have turned out very differently

This book is based on the journal of a friend’s grandfather who signed on to deliver Australia’s first light cruiser, the HMAS Sydney,  in 1913 and ended up in the middle of the first running gun battle of the First World War against the raider/pirate, the German SMS Emden.

The Sydney was escorting the first of the ANZAC fleet from Freemantle to Galipolli, which had been delayed repeatedly due to the risk of attack from the Emden. When the Emden attacked the telegraph station on the Cocos/Keeling Islands, the Sydney went to investigate.

Like many who have read this story, I am at a loss as to why it is not better known. The Emden had attacked ships in Penang Harbour and bombed the oil depot at Madras, so the Indian Ocean became a very dangerous place, and the Suez Canal shut to shipping as a result of the presence of this lone raider. Had the Emden got in amongst the ANZAC fleet, of 30,000 men, with horses and equipment, it would have been too dangerous to defend themselves. The loss of so many men would have made the  colonials even more unwilling to help out Britain, and could have led to Australia and New Zealand becoming independent, and the Britons may not have won the war. Though celebrations have been held for the first ANZAC fleet, this battle was largely ignored n the centenary celebrations.

Even if you are not interested in war history, the involvement of islanders, the Prisoners of War in their sarongs and pith helmets, and the subsequent escape of some of the Germans and their epic journey home make this a fascinating story.

ISBN No. 9780956290045

You can buy it from my website

http://barbdrum.webs.com/sydneyemdenbattle.htm

or from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fine-Ships-Gallant-Sailors-Sydney-Emden/dp/0956290043/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8