Vickers Wellington: A rare WW2 treasure at the seabed of the Aegean Sea
By Pierre Kosmidis PHOTOS: LENA TSOPOUROPOULOU www.wreckdiving.gr The Vickers Wellington bomber found in Sifnos Island at the Cyclades, Greece, is one of the few wrecks of its type -if not the only one- that is preserved in such an excellent condition. Another forgotten page from the years of World War II was discovered thanks […]
Το νησί των γενναίων: Ένα εικονογραφημένο βιβλίο για τη Μάχη της Κρήτης
By Pierre Kosmidis Ο Μιχαήλ Λαμπαθάκης γεννήθηκε και μεγάλωσε στα Χανιά της Κρήτης. Αποφοίτησε από το 3ο Λύκειο Χανίων(1992), σπούδασε στο Τμήμα Επιστήμης Φυσικής Αγωγής & Αθλητισμού Αθηνών(1992-1996),στην Σχολή Δοκίμων Λιμενοφυλάκων (1999-2000),στην Σχολή Δοκίμων Σημαιοφόρων Λιμενικού Σώματος (2000-2002),στο Σχολείο Ειδικών Αποστολών Λιμενικού Σώματος. Υπηρέτησε ως Αξιωματικός του Λιμενικού Σώματος στο Κλιμάκιο Ειδικών Αποστολών(2002-2004). Μεταπήδησε στον […]
Help us solve the mystery: Wellington W5584, RAF 148 squadron
By Pierre Kosmidis Photo and info submitted by Karl Kjarsgaard Karl Kjarsgaard from the Bomber Command Museum of Canada and Halifax 57 Rescue has a question about a Wellington W5584 – RAF 148 squadron shot down on Jan.19, 1942 into the bay 4 kms south of Eleusis, close to the port of Piraeus in Greece. There […]
Restoring salvaged WW2 aircraft at the Hellenic Air Force Museum
By Pierre Kosmidis The Hellenic Air Force Museum, located at Dekelia Air Base (ICAO: LGTT), at the north of Athens, features some unique aircraft, ranging from WW2 to today. Check HERE more photos of the rare warbirds at the Hellenic Air Force Museum The Air Base started operating in 1918 and features a single runway […]
Aviation Art: John Korellis on the “Colours and Markings of Hellenic Spitfires”
By Pierre Kosmidis Photos, illustrations and drawings submitted by John Korellis and used by permission An intriguing, yet rather obscure chapter of WW2 aircraft history is the “Greek” Spitfires, the legendary aircraft flown by the Royal Hellenic Air Force, either with British or with Greek colours and markings. John Korellis and Tilemahos Panagiotidis are the authors […]
Pilots of the… Abyss: The aircraft salvagers of the Hellenic Air Force (HAF)
By Pierre Kosmidis Nuggets of WW2 history lay hidden for decades in the Greek seas. GREEK VERSION HERE ΔΙΑΒΑΣΤΕ ΣΤΑ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ ΕΔΩ Many secrets are revealed thanks to the salvagers of the Hellenic Air Force, the specially trained scuba divers, who salvage World War II aircraft from the depths. Diving under almost any weather […]
Μνήμες στην κοιλάδα των παραμυθιών: Το θρυλικό αεροδρόμιο του Β’ Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου στην Ήπειρο, συνέντευξη με το συγγραφέα Ευθύμιο Ν. Σέρμπη
By Pierre Kosmidis Φωτογραφίες: © Ευθύμιος Ν. Σέρμπης, δημοσιεύονται κατ’αποκλειστικότητα στο www.ww2wrecks.com κατόπιν έγγραφης αδείας. Ένα αεροδρόμιο τυλιγμένο στην αχλύ του μύθου, κρυμμένο ανάμεσα στις βουνοκορφές της Ηπείρου, στο οποίο γράφτηκαν σελίδες δόξας, αλλά και καταστροφής, αποκαλύπτεται χάρη στις άοκνες ερευνητικές και συγγραφικές προσπάθειες του Ευθύμιου Ν. Σέρμπη. Πρόκειται για το αεροδρόμιο της Παραμυθιάς, μια γλώσσα […]
Battlefield Archaeology: The massive 340 mm naval guns protecting Keroman U-Boat base at Lorient
By Pierre Kosmidis Research by Evan Panagopoulos, used by permission All colour photos are © explorabilia, used by permission Evan Panagopoulos is an avid fan of brutalist and mid-century architecture, a knowledgeable WW2 and Victorian-era enthusiast, and likes engaging with abandoned spaces and obscure history. Evan has a knack for rediscovering forgotten and unseen spaces hiding […]
The Battles for Kos and Leros, 1943 – the new edition of “Churchill’s Folly”
By Pierre Kosmidis Photos submitted by Tony Rogers Following the book “Swastika Over the Aegean”, acclaimed author and researcher Tony Rogers worked on the new edition of “Churchill’s Folly”. With updated information, details that only recently came to light and lots of other important elements, Tony Rogers’ revised edition “Churchill’s folly” is a “must have” for anyone […]
Bunker Archaeology: Exploring the Fleves island Naval Fortress of WW2, with Konstantinos Kirimis
By Pierre Kosmidis Photos, research and information by Konstantinos Kirimis, used by permission The vital seaways to the Port of Piraeus were protected by a network of Naval Fortresses, built in the years before WW2 by the Greek government, in the islands of the Saronic Gulf. One such naval fortress was located on the island […]