As a disguised raider Kormoran was armed with 6 single 150mm guns (5.9 inch). At a greater range HMAS Sydney should have been more of a match for a converted merchant ship (she had a better armament 8 guns to 6 and they could all fire on the broadside, with better control). But this was before the Admiralty had fully implemented a system of checking where each Allied and neutral vessel was. Nevertheless she certainly approached too close. Survivors from the Kormoran reported Sydney on fire on the horizon, and then a large explosion.