Detail

The wreckage of the submarine that sank in 1943 was found by shipwreck hunters. HMS Trooper, designated N91, disappeared after carrying out a secret mission in early October. He was supposed to deliver three agents of the Greek resistance to Kalamos, an island off the west coast of Greece. The submarine was then ordered to patrol the Aegean Sea, where it was later learned that German troops had laid naval mines, Live Science writes.

Researchers led by Greek underwater expert Kostas Toktarides found the wreckage of the submarine north of the island of Donousa in the Central Aegean Sea, in the region known as the Ikarian Sea, where constant bad weather conditions occur.

The Ikarian Sea is one of the most challenging seas with its strong winds, waves and strong underwater currents. However, constant and persistent research bore fruit,
– said the Toktarids.

Toktarides is the founder and owner of Greek underwater research company Planet Blue. According to him, 14 previous expeditions failed to find wreck of HMS TrooperBecause they were looking too far to the east, where the submarine was reportedly seen on October 14, 1943.

Researchers examined wartime reports and determined that HMS Trooper may have sunk among the occupied Greek islands to the west of the area. Their theory was confirmed when they discovered the location of the wreck on October 3, 2024.

What the ruins of the submarine look like today: video

According to Toktarides, the wreckage was first found using the ship’s sonar, which creates a detailed map of the seabed by reflecting sound vibrations, and then was examined using the remote-controlled vehicle “Super Achille”.

The boat currently lies on the seabed at a depth of approximately 100 meters. 235 meters. A powerful explosion split the submarine into three large sections (fore, middle and stern); This appears to confirm investigators’ suspicions that the submarine sank after striking a German naval mine.

This is the eighth sunken submarine from the Second World War that Planet Blue has discovered in Greek waters. Interestingly, there were previous reports of possible sightings of HMS Trooper, but it is now clear that these were false. Toktarides, it appears that last time was another British submarine of the same class.

According to the statement made by Planet Blue, the severely damaged ship was identified by comparing it with the original construction plans. An open hatch in the conning tower reveals: the ship was floating on the surface when it encountered a mine.

British submarine sank with its cover open when it hit a mine while floating on the water surface / Photo Planet Blue

In the statement, it was stated that the sinking ship was a war grave, so no intervention was made. This discovery could help the victims’ families finally learn the fate of their loved ones.