HMAS SYDNEY: Loss and Controversy

Rydalmere, NSW, Australia: Hodder and Stoughton, 1993. xv, 300pp., plus 24 page unpaginated b/white illustrated section. B/white maps, figures. Book clean. Spine firm, slight lean, bright gilt title there-on. Plain blue boards have a bump to upper foredge corner of rear panel. Leaves clean and unmarked. Colour-art illustrated dustjacket (detail from the painting 'Engagement of Hilfskreuzers, Kormoran and the Australian cruiser Sydney on 19 November, 1941 off the West Australian coast', by Jochin Sachse) dustjacket mildly edge-creased only. From the jacket flap: "The loss of 'Sydney' was Australia's greatest wartime naval loss. Why did Captain Burnett in 'Sydney' bring his ship so close to the 'Kormoran' that he risked a mortal engagement? Why was 'Kormoran' able to inflict so much damage that her ship's company were apparently unable to communicate with assistance ashore and could not save their ship from sinking? Why was the Australian cruiser and her 645 men lost virtually without trace? . . . Discusses recent developments in archival research and scientific analysis and examines the questions and some of the answers generated by this mysterious and controversial naval action." Contents include: Acks. Introduction. 17 chapters over two 'parts'. Appendixes 1-4. Notes and References. Bibliography. Index. List of Figures. Book weight approx. 706g. . First Edition. Hardcover and Dustjacket. Very Good/Very Good. 8vo - (approx. 24cm x 16cm).