A rare World War II German torpedo boat that sank off western Greece in 1943 has been discovered nearly intact on the seabed of the Ionian Sea, ending a search that began more than a decade ago.
The wreck, identified as the Leichte Schnellboot 6 (LS 6), was found at a depth of 96 meters (315 feet) between the islands of Lefkada and the city of Preveza. Researchers say it is the only known surviving vessel of its class anywhere in the world, making the discovery significant for both maritime historians and underwater archaeologists.
The discovery was made by the technical diving team AegeanTec, which confirmed the vessel’s identity after years of historical research and exploration.
A decade-long search
The search for the wreck began in 2013 after German naval historian Peter Schenk alerted researchers to records describing a small Kriegsmarine vessel lost in the Ionian Sea while under tow during World War II.
Historical researcher Giorgos Karelas played a key role in gathering archival evidence and narrowing the search area. German wartime records helped pinpoint the vessel’s last known location after it disappeared in September 1943.
Using closed-circuit rebreather diving technology, the AegeanTec team eventually located the wreck resting almost upright on the sandy seabed. Despite spending eighty-three years underwater, the vessel remains remarkably well preserved.
An unusual aluminum warship
LS 6 belonged to the German Navy’s Leichte Schnellboot (“Light Fast Boat”) class—small, high-speed torpedo craft designed for special operations. Unlike most naval vessels of the era, LS 6 featured a lightweight aluminum hull, an innovative design intended to improve speed and maneuverability.
Following Italy’s surrender to the Allies in September 1943, LS 6 and its sister vessel, LS 5, were transferred to Greece to support German naval operations in the Aegean Sea. Before entering service, however, LS 6 was heavily damaged during a British air raid on the port of Igoumenitsa in northwestern Greece.
Lost while under tow
The damaged vessel was being towed south to Piraeus for repairs when its aluminum hull suffered structural failure. Water flooded the craft, causing it to sink between Lefkada and Preveza. Researchers confirmed the wreck’s identity through several distinctive features, including its Junkers Jumo engines, overall dimensions, construction details, and the towing cable that still remains attached to the bow.
The remarkably intact condition of the vessel offers a rare glimpse into German naval engineering during World War II and provides historians with what is believed to be the world’s only surviving example of the Leichte Schnellboot class.
Related: A Vanished WW2 Submarine Has Been Found in Greece’s Seas
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