soc.history.war.world-war-ii

Scott M. Kozel wrote:

> Engage in what precise manner? Pull up broadside and stopped (or almost
> stopped) a mile (about 1,500 meters) from the unidentified vessel, and
> send a cutter and boarding party to the unidentified vessel, to inspect
> the registry papers of the unidentified vessel, and seize the vessel if
> it proved to be German?? Do this alone without help from any other of
> your warships?

Your account of what happened doesn't match the historically accepted
account to the best of my knowledge. But, yes, the light cruiser was
expected to deal with the unidentified vessel on it's own.

> Subsequent to this battle, what kind of major changes happened with
> respect to the rules of engagement for confronting an unidentified
> vessel that was suspected of being a German commerce raider disguised as
> a merchant vessel? I'll bet that the method was not like as in my first
> paragraph ...

The relevant volume of Australia in the War (RAN, 1939-1942) doesn't
mention any revision of the rules of engagement following the loss of
Sydney. It's on-line. You can read the account for yourself if you so
desire. You'd likely benefit from doing so.