Leros, an island in the Dodecanese, is a paradise for shipwreck researchers due to its rich history during World War II and the battle that took place there in 1943.
In June 2011, a marine geophysical survey of the seabed in the wider area around the island was conducted by the Laboratory of Marine Geology and Physical Oceanography (ETHAGEFO) of the Department of Geology at the University of Patras, under the guidance of Professor G. Papadheodorou, aiming to locate shipwrecks.
The research was part of long-standing efforts to highlight the island’s significant history during World War II, led by Konstantinos Kouvás and Vasilis Mentoannis, who have previously published numerous articles in magazines and co-authored the book “52 Days 1943: The Destroyer Queen Olga and the Battle of Leros.” This effort also included Marinos Yourgas, founder of Aegeantec.
The University’s survey documented several targets that have since become points of interest for further research.
Regarding this particular mission, Marinos Yourgas stated:
Last November, after several weeks of waiting due to adverse weather conditions, the Aegeantec team was called to dive and investigate specific targets, the most significant being a shipwreck at a depth of 84 meters, located east of the bay of Agia Marina. Our team, in collaboration with the Hydrovius Dive Center led by Mr. Kouvas and with the support of the Mayor of Leros and other local authorities, arrived on the island and began a series of dives within a limited timeframe as the weather conditions were not favorable.
During our dive to the wreck, we encountered low visibility and lighting conditions due to the high presence of particles in the water column, a result of the rough seas caused by weeks of bad weather. The fact that the dive line landed close to our target helped us locate it.
As we moved toward the shadow of the wreck, we were both surprised and frustrated to discover that part of it was covered by a fishing trawler’s net, which had swept through the area despite such activity being prohibited by law, given the area’s distance from the shore is less than 3 nautical miles. We continued exploring the wreck to document points that would aid our team in identifying it and allow us to uncover its history.
Our task became even more challenging as the wreck rests on the seabed of the Aegean upside down, with few distinguishable features to tell its story, as part of its superstructure is buried in the sandy bottom. Its length does not exceed 50 meters, and from the areas we managed to examine on the sides of its superstructure, we observed signs of large openings and deformations in its metal plating, likely the result of an explosion prior to its sinking.
Some of the side hatches were open, allowing us to photograph and film parts of its interior. Subsequently, with great caution, as the area is a ‘minefield’ filled with fishing gear traps, we circled the wreck, documenting various objects and equipment from the ship scattered on the seabed as a result of its sinking.
Filled with mixed emotions—on the one hand, joy for achieving our goal of documenting the wreck despite the difficult conditions, and on the other, sorrow and contemplation for the human lives lost during the Battle of Leros in 1943—we began our ascent. After two hours underwater, we returned to the dive vessel.
That same evening, we began processing the data recorded by our underwater photographer, V. Spyropoulos, and with the assistance of our collaborator, G. Karelas, started the effort to identify the wreck. After studying and researching historical records, and with the help of Tony Rogers, a researcher and expert on the region’s World War II history and author of the book “Kos and Leros 1943,” we were able to identify the wreck.
It was a light landing craft, Marinefährprahm (MFP), of the Kriegsmarine—a particularly significant and rare find from the WWII era. These vessels were the largest landing craft built by the Germans, initially designed for a potential invasion of England but ultimately used across all theaters of war.
Production began in April 1941, with approximately 700 units completed by the end of the war in four variants (A-D). They measured 47 to 50 meters in length, about 7 meters in width, with a capacity of 220–239 tons. They were powered by three 390 HP Diesel engines and armed with 2 × 20mm anti-aircraft guns, one 37mm AA gun, and a 75mm cannon. These crafts could transport 3–4 light tanks or equivalent equipment and personnel, with speeds suitable for riverine operations.
In the Aegean, they had a significant presence and played a vital role in German landings on Greek islands and in key battles such as those of Kos and Leros. One advantage of this type of vessel was its ability to be transported by road or rail. In the Aegean, they arrived via neutral Turkey, crossing the Dardanelles Strait after being assembled in Bulgaria.
After careful analysis of the visual material now at our disposal and in conjunction with historical records from the time, we believe the wreck is likely the F331, which sank a day before the German victory in the Battle of Leros, at dawn on November 15, 1943. It was hit by fire from HMS Echo, which caused the munitions it was carrying to explode, sending it to the seabed of Leros, where it has rested for the past 81 years.
The Aegeantec team plans to return to the island of Leros, as there are indications of areas requiring further investigation. This will always be carried out with respect for our underwater cultural heritage and with the aim of showcasing the shipwrecks of Greek seas.
The island of Leros has all the assets to become a world-class diving destination for the global community of technical divers. Achieving this goal relies on the vital contribution of local authorities and members of the island’s community who believe in this vision and support our efforts.
Source: Protothema
