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After many years of research, a Greek research team found a British submarine that sank with 1942 people in the Aegean Sea at a depth of 64 meters in 203.

The submarine HMS TRIUMPH, whose traces disappeared 81 years ago, has been the target of various teams from Britain, Malta and Russia, who occasionally visited Greece to find her, but to no avail.

The mystery is solved by researcher Kostas Toktaridis and his team.

"The search for the submarine Triumph began in 1998 and is the most difficult and costliest mission I have ever carried out in my life," he said in an interview with ANA-MPA.

Toktaridis said the history of the submarine was "unique to the naval chronicles, as it is inextricably linked to the national resistance and secret services of the time that operated during the occupation."

The search required a thorough study of archives in Britain, Germany, Italy and Greece.

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The submarine began intensive operational activity in May 1939 and carried out a total of 20 military missions. It first appeared in the Aegean Sea at the end of March 1941 to explore the shores of the Dodecanese Islands and land officers with canoes to shore. Great successes for Triumph followed, including the sinking of several enemy ships and the Italian submarine Salpa (SALPA) and the rescue of besieged soldiers who were to flee to Alexandria, Egypt.

On 26 December 1941, the submarine sailed from Alexandria for its final 21st mission, after which it was due to return to Britain for overhaul and maintenance. The purpose of the mission was to carry out two special operations – ICINGLASS and Coney Island, and in addition to the crew of the submarine, there was also a secret service team inside.

On the evening of December 29, 1941, Triumph entered the bay of the Cycladic island of Despotiko and unloaded the secret service team, as well as equipment in which, among other things, there was an optical telegraph of the British military intelligence to communicate with the submarines. Despotiko was to board 30 fugitives to Alexandria, but the commander of the submarine, Lieutenant John Huddarth, informed them that he would go on an offensive mission in the Aegean Sea and return to pick them up on January 9 or 10, 1942. that the first phase of the mission was completed successfully. This is the last signal sent by "Triumph", BTA reported.

Greece

submarine

Aegean Sea