Todd war diary, 3 August 1914-29 February 1916 / Arthur Todd - Page 254
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[Page 254]
Germans knew that a certain number of lines left Cocos, and when they had destroyed this number they were satisfied. They little knew that two of the three cables they fished up and cut with so much labour ran nowhere and were just plain dummies. So communication was not interrupted; in fact, through the courtesy of the officials our people in Australia knew the next day that we had not become casualties. When the two ships disappeared the Germans on the island set about preparing for armed resistance to any landing that the Sydney might attempt subsequently. Trenches were dug and the machine guns placed in position; the German ensign was run up and the island formally annexed in the name of the Kaiser. After some hours' labour it suddenly occurred to von Mücke, the first lieutenant, that a salvo of six-inch would settle his party, and that sooner or later they would either be killed or become prisoners in the hands of the British. In his dilemma his gaze fell upon the Ayesha, a small ninety-ton schooner belonging to the island; and to this frail craft he decided to entrust the fortunes of himself and his companions. The ship was old and rotten, but she was quickly provisioned and made as seaworthy as possible, and with mutual goodwill the Germans parted from their English hosts: for the sea-going Hun in these early days of war still contrived as a rule to behave as a gentleman.
The destruction of the station seen by our landing party certainly seemed very complete. Everything was smashed and overturned; but the officials cheerily assured us that the damage was more apparent than real, and that they expected