soc.history.war.world-war-ii

Scott M. Kozel wrote:

> The Sydney officers suspected that a German commerce raider disguised as
> a merchant vessel, was in the area. A vessel the size of Kormoran
> (about 9,000 tons) could carry as much firepower in guns and torpedoes
> as a light cruiser, albeit without the gun fire controllers to fight
> effectively at more than several miles distance.

As Phil has correctly pointed out, any light cruiser in service would be
expected to engage such a merchant cruiser. Such service is one of the
reasons for the existence of the cruiser class.

> So if the enemy ship was a battleship, and cruising along and not
> engaging any of your forces at that time, should your light cruiser go
> out and span many miles to attack the battleship?

That's clearly a different situation calling for a different response
from the cruiser.