After about 13 years of researcha group of Greek underwater explorers spotted in Ionian Sea the wreck of theLS 6a fast boat from Kriegsmarine (Nazi Germany’s navy) sunk in 1943during the Second World War. The discovery of the light assault boat occurred at approximately 96 meters deepoff the west coast of Greece, near the island of Preveza.
The research was conducted by Giorgos Karelaswhich for years has reconstructed documents and historical information on the unit, up to restrict progressively the area in which to search for the wreck. The final phase was carried out by the diving team AegeanTecwho carried out the diving on the site. The wreckage has been found resting on the bottom, in navigation trim. The vessel is almost intact and under considered conditions exceptional. There depthhowever, makes it particularly challenging exploration and documentation operations.
The LS 6 belonged to the category of Leichte Schnellbootesmall fast vessels used by the German navy during the conflict. Its story is linked to the events of the autumn of 1943when, after theItalian armisticecontrol of Greek waters became theater of combat between German and Allied forces. The interest of the discovery derives above all from rarity of the vessel. According to the documentation released by the research group and by Naval Historythe LS 6 would indeed the only example of Leichte Schnellboot still in existence.
The discovery therefore allows us to directly study a type of Kriegsmarine naval vessel of which only very little material evidence. For underwater archaeologists, the wreck also represents a kind of photograph preserved on the seabed: its position and state of conservation can provide information on the construction and operational use of these vessels. The discovery thus concludes a research that began over a year ago decade ago and adds a new piece to the archaeological documentation of naval warfare in the eastern Mediterranean.
