WW2 submarine that disappeared during secret mission found 81 years later

A World War Two submarine that disappeared mysteriously in 1943 with 64 crew members on board has been found off the coast of Greece.

The HMS Trooper wreck, which had been deployed on a secret mission, was discovered 830 ft underwater on the Mediterranean seabed, by a private deep-sea research company Planet Blue.

The submarine is 275 ft long and is cut into three sections, the owner of the firm that found the vehicle told Greek media.

Costas Thoktaridis, the leader of Planet Blue, said the vessel suffered a very violent sinking after a mine exploded.

This could be confirmed by the team by looking at the separation of the bow, middle section and stern.

Royal Navy captain Richard Wraith CBE, who is the son of the captain of the HMS Trooper said: ‘I have known for many years the painstaking effort of the search team to locate the wreck of the submarine and now I am very pleased and excited that their efforts were rewarded. 

‘I hope that the family members of those lost along with my father will be able to use the Trooper’s definitive status as a reference point to help lay their loved ones’ memories to rest.’

The submarine set off in October 1943, for a patrol mission between Donoussa islet and Ikaria when British intelligence found out Nazis could attempt a new landing in Leros.

The sub was meant to return to the port of Beirut by October 17, but failed to surface.

It was assumed the vessel had been struck by a German mine.

Rescuers began searching for the missing sub in 2000, but 14 searches had failed before Planet Blue’s team was successful.

The team that found the wreckage said they only filmed it and did not move anything, as it served as the final resting place of the 64 servicemen who lost their lives.

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