The Greek submarine “Katsonis” and the “Quinto” shipwreck, December 31st, 1940
By Pierre Kosmidis Photos and videos by Djordje Kovjanic, used by permission Tuesday December 31st, 1940: The Greek submarine Y1 “Katsonis” is on her 7th patrol day in the Adriatic Sea, on a mission to locate and sink enemy shipping. Greece is at war with Italy, since the Italian invasion, which started in the early hours of […]
Returning the flags of their fathers: Writing the Final Chapter of WWII – 日の丸寄せ書き
By Pierre Kosmidis Photos by Rex & Keiko Ziak/OBON SOCIETY The nation of Japan experienced nearly 2,000,000 lost soldiers during the war for the Pacific. Of these approximately 1,140,000 are still listed as Missing In Action, that is, they were killed but no trace of their bodies was ever recovered. These personalized flags, given by […]
Then and Now: 1941 – 2018, the battle of Rethymno in Crete, by Andreas Sfakianakis
By Pierre Kosmidis Photos, research and documentation by Andreas Sfakianakis The German airborne invasion of Crete, codenamed “Operation Merkur”, led to the conquest of the Greek island, after ferocious battles, which led to thousands of men killed in action or wounded. Out of an assault force of just over 22,000 men, the Germans suffered some […]
U133 last voyage. Η τελευταία αποστολή του U133. Ατύχημα ή σαμποτάζ;
By Pierre Kosmidis Φωτογραφικά ντοκουμέντα από το βυθό της Αίγινας, αποκαλύπτουν την τραγική μοίρα του «χαμένου» υποβρυχίου Η τελευταία αποστολή Ακόμα και σήμερα, όταν έχει μπουνάτσα και η θάλασσα είναι αρυτίδωτη, η επιφάνειά της βόρεια της Αίγινας ιριδίζει, δείγμα του ότι υπάρχει πετρέλαιο. Από πού όμως προέρχεται; Τι είναι αυτό που κρύβεται στον Σαρωνικό, […]
Battlefield Archaeology: The WW2 bunker at the village of “Zorba the Greek”
By Pierre Kosmidis Photos and research by George Tsampas Kokkino Chorio, or “Red Village” in English, is a village situated in the Chania regional unit of Crete, Greece. It has reached worldwide fame, as it was the filming location of the 1964 film Zorba the Greek starring Anthony Quinn, Alan Bates and Irene Papas. The […]
Walking in the WW1 and WW2 battlefields with Errico de Luca (videos and photos)
By Pierre Kosmidis Photos submitted by Errico de Luca and used by permission Mr. Errico de Luca, from Udine in Italy, is a keen expert on WW1 and WW2 battlefields, not only in his home country, but all around the world. Having visited his first battlefield with his grandfather, Mr. Errico de Luca has been […]
The birth of “Zeus” – The making of Hellenic Air Force’s F-16 Block 52+ through previously unpublished photos
Pierre Kosmidis A full photographic testimony from the making of “ZEUS”, the Hellenic Air Force’s F-16 Block 52+ solo demo aircraft, is published for the first time. CHECK THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF “ZEUS” The F-16 demonstration team “ZEUS” displays Hellenic Air Force’s air power to the public and acts as ambassador for Greece, demonstrating the professionalism and […]
Then and Now: 1941-2018, WW2 in Crete, by Andreas Sfakianakis
By Pierre Kosmidis Then & Now photos by Andreas Sfakianakis Back in May 1941, the German airborne operation, codenamed “Merkur” resulted in the conquest of the island of Crete, despite the heavy losses sustained by the fallschirmjager, which resulted in a Pyrrhic victory for the German invaders. Over 7 decades later, Mr. Andreas Sfakianakis from Crete, […]
Then and Now: 1941-2018 – Traces of the Italians and the German SS in Greece, by Christos Tsiolas
By Pierre Kosmidis Photos submitted by Christos Tsiolas and used by permission Trikala is located in central Greece and was under Italian occupation from 1941 to 1943. As the memories of WW2 are fading away, few landmarks survive, which remind us of the events of the largest ever conflict humankind has ever experienced, in the area. […]
Το Μοναστηράκι που χάνεται και ο κυρ Αχιλλέας που συνεχίζει… ακμαιότατος
By Pierre Kosmidis Το Μοναστηράκι, στις υπώρειες της Ακρόπολης, έχει τη δική του σημαντική πορεία στην Ιστορία, είναι ωστόσο γνωστό και ως “γιουσουρούμ”. Μέσα στο μυαλό μου ο Νικόλας Άσιμος σιγοτραγουδάει το στιχάκι: «κι εμείς ξεπουλιόμαστε στο γιουσουρούμ, για ένα κουστούμ, για ένα κουστούμ», ενώ σκέφτομαι ότι σε κανένα σημείο του πλανήτη δεν αγκαλιάζει τόσο […]