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Whilst there, the new aircraft was assembled from all the parts taken on board, and the ship's holds were in dire need of a good clean out, and this task was achieved. Kruder now sailed his ship off to area Siberia, deep in the middle and Southern segment of the Indian Ocean. It had been planned to meet "Ketty Broevig," but she had been scuttled to avoid capture.

German Supply ship

German Supply ship "Coburg" set on fire by gunfire from H.M.A.S. "Canberra" and subsequently scuttled. 4th. of March , 1941

On the 4th. of March, 1941, she had been alongside the German supply ship, "Coburg," receiving fresh water. They were in the North Western corner of the Indian Ocean, when discovered by the Walrus aircraft from H.M.A.S."Canberra." The ships had quickly separated, "Coburg," going North, and the Tanker South. "Canberra" went after "Coburg," and the Walrus, trying to slow down 'Ketty Broevig," dropped 4 bombs, the last two falling close by, in the ship's wake. She stopped, and as indicated earlier, scuttled.

"Canberra," keeping her distance, at about 9.5 miles, set "Coburg" alight with her main armament gunfire, she, also set off scuttling charges, and subsequently sank. It was Capain Farncomb's belief, that "Coburg," was, in fact, a Raider, his Walrus had so described the ship on its first sighting from the air. He stayed well clear to avoid any possible use of torpedoes against his ship, a very prudent action, one would have thought.

Some 215, 8 inch shells had been used, this drew some comment after his report of proceeding arrived at Navy Office, and C in C East Indies, also put in "his two bob's worth." In general, it was thought that if Farncomb had gone closer, he would have identified "Coburg" much earlier, and saved a lot of expensive 8 inch shells.

At that time, Captain Burnett, was Deputy Chief of Staff; at Navy Office, he had seen, and appended his initials to the correspondence about "Canberra" and her Captain's actions, and knew what Board members had thought and said. He then went off to take command of H.M.A.S."Sydney," and was faced with the same sort of situation when meeting "Kormoran." "Did prior knowledge have any bearing on his actions, on that occasion? Of Course we will never 'know."

"Pinguin," now met "Ole Jacob," at the rendezvous.

It was becoming tougher for Raiders to operate, the loss of 'Ketty Broevig," plus other ships in the supply chain, was one factor- but, in the main, independent sailings close to British bases had been stopped. Targets were harder to locate, and the British had stepped up their search coverage using flying boats out of Mauritius, Seychelles, and Diego Garcia- radio directional finding equipment had been widely distributed, and fitted. More Royal Navy Cruisers had been given the Indian Ocean, as their beat.

Kitty Broevig

Kitty Broevig" Norwegian Tanker, captured by "Atlantis." Found by Walrus aircraft from H.M.AQ.S. "Canberra." Bombed and scuttled, 4th. of March, 1941

Knider thought he might need to swoop into an area, grab a few prizes, then, quickly vacate the scene, thus disrupting trade, and enticing enemy Cruisers, on a search mission into the arena just left. "Adjutant," (the former whale catcher) working North of "Pinguin," on the 24th. of April, reported a ship, about 6-8,000 tons, steaming at 11 knots but, 10 hours later the Raider had still not caught up, and, it was early the next day before she arrived- the enemy's radio aerials were soon shot away, and 3 salvoes were enough, the 70 crew members being taken on board. The 8,000 ton "Empire Light," proceeding from Madras to Durban, had ore and hides as her cargo. When shelled, her rudder was put out of action, and she quickly scuttled.


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