- Author
- Nicholson, Ian
- Subjects
- Ship histories and stories, WWII operations, Book reviews, Naval Engagements, Operations and Capabilities
- Tags
- RAN Ships
- HMAS Sydney II
- Publication
- September 1999 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
As well, Detmers received shipping intelligence from Rear Adm. Wenneker, German Naval Attaché in Tokyo, gleaned from Japanese and mercantile circles, etc. – On their final supply ship rendezvous with the Kulmerland in late Oct 1941 a “valuable document” listing enemy shipping operating in the Indian Ocean is handed over, including the Straat Malakka! (p.175). This pleased Detmers as he had recently adopted her identity (by coincidence, or perhaps she was one of a few ships whose secret callsign had been compromised and was now held by him? British official Naval Historian files, Cambridge).
There is no question that German Naval intelligence held the trump cards at this stage of the war.
Finally, there is Detmers’ repeated comment that he was not tried after the war. Perhaps this was to ease a guilty conscience and impress readers of his innocence? Use of a false identity and callsigns, etc. was not against International Law – (though certainly nothing to be proud of) – but not so, for example, if torpedoes were fired while still flying the Dutch flag!