The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
George H K La Nauze stands beside the wrecked wireless mast at the Eastern Extension Cable Company's station on Direction Island, which was destroyed by a party from the German raider SMS Emden on 9 November 1914. As a result of this act, HMAS Sydney was alerted to the whereabouts of the raider, and brought her notorious career to an end in a fight on the same day. Mr La Nauze was the wireless operator who sent out the alarm when the Emden was fist sighted.
"Ruins of wireless mast after being blown up by Germans" (Album caption). Mr La Nauze inspecting the damage. From an album compiled by Mr CW Burnett, of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company. The al
"Ruins of wireless mast after being blown up by Germans" (Album caption). Mr La Nauze (on right) and a colleague inspecting the damage. From an album compiled by Mr CW Burnett, of the Eastern Extensio
The schooner Ayesha at Direction Island. The party from the German raider Emden used the Ayesha to escape from the island after raiding and taking possession of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Compan
HMAS Sydney steaming to Direction Island after her successful action against the German raider Emden on 9 November. A party from the Emden had landed on the 9th and taken over the Eastern Extension C
Cocos Island, Indian Ocean. November 1914. The Eastern Extension Telegraph Company's wireless operator. It is believed that this man sent out a call for help on the appearance of the German Navy Light
COCOS ISLANDS, 1914-11-09. RUINED WIRELESS MAST WRECKED BY THE GERMAN LANDING PARTY FROM THE SMS EMDEN WHEN THEY DESTROYED THE COCOS WIRELESS STATION.