Diving at the “Volta” shipwreck, sunk on Saturday October 9, 1943, during the Battle of Leros
By Pierre Kosmidis Photos and videos by Stratos Koufos used by permission Additional information on the wreck by Dr. Peter Schenk Today the Greek islands of the Dodecanese are popular tourist destinations. However in 1943 they were the scene of the last successful German airborne assault and naval operations of the Second World War in the Mediterranean Sea. The […]
“Oria” shipwreck, the watery grave of 4,000 POWs in 1944
By Pierre Kosmidis The sinking of the steamship “Oria” in Gaidouronisi, a tragedy in the dark years of the nazi occupation of Greece in February 1944, which resulted in 4,115 drowned Italian POWs, almost three times as many victims as the Titanic, is largely forgotten and kept in the dark drawers of history. Few people […]
Battlefield Archaeology: Wartime graffiti at the forgotten barracks of WW2
By Pierre Kosmidis Photos: Panagiotis Brokos READ MORE STORIES (CLICK THE LINKS IN RED): Battlefield Archaeology: One of the last battles of WW2 in May 1945 Wartime graffiti: Soldier artists turn their barracks into an art gallery Battlefield Archaeology: The rare relics of Leros, 1943 Battlefield Archaeology: The nazi bunker at […]
An Arado Ar196 in Herakleia Island, Greece
By Pierre Kosmidis Lying at a depth of just 11 metres, this Arado wreck is an ideal snorkeling destination (Photo: Costis Mantzoris) On September 17, 1943 this specific Arado 196 went on a mission to protect a convoy consisting of three ships (UJ 2104, Paula and Pluto) on their way from Piraeus to Rodos. Photo […]
1941-2021 : 80 χρόνια από την Μάχη των Οχυρών. Ένα πολυτελές λεύκωμα με σπάνιες και αδημοσίευτες φωτογραφίες
Κείμενο: Παναγιώτης Σαββίδης Φωτογραφίες: Αρχείο Βύρωνα Μήτου/Έκδοση : «1941-2021 : 80 χρόνια από την Μάχη των Οχυρών», δημοσιεύονται στο www.ww2wrecks.com κατόπιν αδείας του συγγραφέα. “Metaxas-Linie” δηλαδή «Γραμμή Μεταξά» σημείωναν πίσω από τις ασπρόμαυρες φωτογραφίες τους, Γερμανοί αξιωματικοί και στρατιώτες που έλαβαν μέρος στην επίθεση κατά της Ελλάδας το 1941. Στη δίνη του Β΄ Π.Π. φωτογραφίες – […]
A close look at the ventral gun tray of the salvaged Bristol Blenheim Mk IVF (203 squadron, L9044)
By Pierre Kosmidis Photos © www.ww2wrecks.com The Bristol Blenheim IVF shot down and ditched off Crete, was salvaged and is now a permanent exhibit at the Here are some photos of the ventral gun tray, featuring four .0303 in (7.7 mm) machine guns in special gun pack under the fuselage.
Creforce: the Anzacs and the Battle of Crete, by Stella Tzobanakis
Creforce: the Anzacs and the Battle of Crete is the dramatic story of the second Anzacs and their role in one of the biggest battles in the military history of Australia, New Zealand and its Allied forces during World War II. The book is written for children 10 and up and explores the real-life `adventures’ and […]
An insider’s look at the C-47 “Dakota” SX-ECF of the Civil Aviation Authority at the Hellenic Air Force Museum
By Pierre Kosmidis Photos by Giannis Liardakis, used by permission See more photos at the following link: The C-47 “Dakota” SX-ECF of the Civil Aviation Authority at the Hellenic Air Force Museum An aircraft built before WW2, which served for four decades is now resting on the tarmac of the Hellenic Air Force Museum. This specific […]
H επίθεση της 252 μοίρας της RAF στο Γερμανικό μεταγωγικό Citta di Savona και το ανθυποβρυχιακό UJ 2102 στα νοτιοανατολικά της Κω στις 3/10/1943
Έρευνα-κείμενο-φωτογραφίες: Αρχές Οκτωβρίου 1943 οι Γερμανοί ετοιμάζονταν για επιχειρήσεις στα Δωδεκάνησα ύστερα από την Ιταλική συνθηκολόγηση του Σεπτεμβρίου. Αμέσως μετά τη συνθηκολόγηση οι Γερμανοί κινήθηκαν γρήγορα και κατέλαβαν άμεσα τη Ρόδο μετά από μικρής έντασης αψιμαχίες με την Ιταλική φρουρά στις 9-11 Σεπτεμβρίου 1943. Στη γειτονική Κω όμως τα γεγονότα εξελίχθηκαν διαφορετικά αφού οι Ιταλικές δυνάμεις υποδέχθηκαν […]
A detailed look at the salvaged Junkers Ju52, 4V+BT, Werknummer 7607
By Pierre Kosmidis Photos © www.ww2wrecks.com unless otherwise stated Further reading: It is considered a time capsule, as personal items, belonging to the crew and soldiers on board when the aircraft was shot down and ditched at sea, were found in the fuselage. A Ju52 was shot down in Leros island on November 13, 1943, during […]