A rare German WWII wreck has been found in the Ionian Sea, nearly intact. The legendary torpedo boat LS 6 was located in the waters off Preveza, 83 years after it went down, at a depth of 96 meters, and it is the only known surviving Leichte Schnellboot (light fastboat) in the world.
The significant discovery came after years of historical research and diving investigation, when records from German war archives revealed the likely location of LS 6 when it was lost in September 1943.
The AegeanTec team confirmed the wreck’s identity using technical closed-circuit diving. The divers found that the boat rests almost upright on the sandy seabed and is preserved in remarkably good condition.
As the divers approached the seabed, the distinctive silhouette of the small fast boat began to emerge from the darkness of the Ionian. The vessel is preserved in impressive condition despite the 83 years since it sank.
“Some hunts for hidden wrecks are measured in meters. Others are measured in years. For us, the search for this wreck began in 2013, with a message from Peter Schenk about a small Kriegsmarine Leichte Schnellboot lost between Lefkada and Preveza while being towed by German forces during the final days of the war. It was just one clue, but it was enough,” the diving team wrote in a post.
Historical researcher Giorgos Karelas played a key role in the investigation, gathering the data and organizing the search operation. Identification relied on distinctive construction details, the Junkers Jumo engines, the boat’s dimensions, and the tow cable still attached to the bow.
“The fact that the boat was built from aluminum to keep it light, and that it sank while under tow, made me see it as an especially interesting target for historical and diving research,” Karelas said, describing what sparked the years-long search.
German WWII wreck in the Ionian: a highly significant find
LS 6 had been brought to Greece along with its sister boat LS 5 for Kriegsmarine operations in the Aegean, following Italy’s surrender.
It suffered serious damage in a British air raid on Igoumenitsa and, while being towed to Piraeus for repairs, its aluminum hull came under strain, letting in water and causing it to sink off Preveza.
The distinctive construction details, the Junkers Jumo engines, the boat’s dimensions, and the tow cable still attached to the bow were the elements that led to its definitive identification as LS 6.
The discovery is considered highly significant for historical and archaeological research, as it offers valuable information on a rare class of warship and highlights the richness of underwater cultural heritage in Greek waters.
