Todd war diary, 3 August 1914-29 February 1916 / Arthur Todd - Page 9
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[Page 9]
joined by the Encounter.
On the 11th we were within easy distance of our goal and battle flags were hoisted & secured to the masts with wire. It was near enough to the traditional method of nailing the colours to the mast.
The Sydney sported four, two white ensigns forward and one white & one Australian blue ensign aft.
To us was allotted the honourable and disagreeable job of leading the night attack and at 6 PM the Sydney followed by the three black sleuths Parr. Warra Yarra. parted from the rest leaving them snug and secure forty miles out of harms way.
We whacked up to 22 knots and set out and as we passed the flag she manned ship & cheered what time the band played cheerful lively airs. It was all very well to cheer while we went looking for glory amongst minefields in an uncharted harbour.
The Admiral by way of making us keen hod casually told us that he had excellent information that the whole of the Hun China Squadron including the Scharnhorst & Gneisenau were within the port