After nearly 80 years of mystery, the wreck of the HMS Trooper, a British submarine that disappeared during World War II, was discovered in the depths of the Aegean Sea near the island of Donoussa. The discovery was made in October, by the Greek underwater recovery company Planet Blue, led by founder and owner Kostas Thoctarides, according to Baird Maritime.
The submarine was found at a depth of about 770 feet (235 meters) in the Sea of Icaria, confirming suspicions that it had been lost to a German mine. "Constant and persistent research paid off," Thoctarides said, as reported by El Cronista. The wreck was located using sonar technology and explored with a remotely operated underwater vehicle called Super Achilles, which allowed the team to capture detailed images of the submarine.
The HMS Trooper vanished in 1943 during a secret mission in Greek waters to land three agents of the Greek resistance on the island of Kalamos. With 64 crew members on board, it became one of the most intriguing mysteries in naval history. Since it vanished, numerous expeditions attempted to locate the submarine, but all efforts were unsuccessful until now. Beginning in 2000, at least 14 expedition teams tried to find the HMS Trooper, according to Popular Science.
The wreckage was discovered divided into three sections: the bow, the middle section, and the stern. "The separation of the HMS Trooper into three sections indicates a very violent sinking following a mine explosion," Thoctarides explained, according to Scienze Notizie. The stern, the least damaged part, measures about 106 feet long and remained largely intact.
Launched in March 1942, the HMS Trooper was a T-class submarine of the Royal Navy that spent most of its career in the Mediterranean. It was tasked with attacking enemy targets and supporting Allied operations, as noted by Vanguardia. On September 26, 1943, under the command of Lieutenant John S. Wraith, it set sail from Beirut with the mission of patrolling the Dodecanese Islands, a strategic region controlled by Italian forces.
The submarine was expected to return on October 17, 1943, but it never reached its destination. It was later presumed lost around Leros. Numerous theories surrounded its disappearance, including the possibility of an air attack or that it had been sunk by enemy mines. However, without concrete evidence, these theories remained unconfirmed, reports Vanguardia.
The discovery has provided closure to the families of the crew members. "I have been aware for many years of the strenuous effort by the Greek research team to locate the wreck of the submarine and am now very pleased and excited that their endeavours have been rewarded," said Captain Richard Wraith, son of the HMS Trooper's commander, according to Popular Science. The wreck is considered a war grave and has not been disturbed, ensuring that the final resting place of the sailors remains respected.
The HMS Trooper is one of many submarines and ships lost during World War II. The discovery underscores the importance of continuing to explore and study these historical sites. "Each finding not only provides answers to historical questions but also honors the memory of those who served and sacrificed their lives during the conflict," as noted by Vanguardia.
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq