Leros & Lakki · Greece · Wreck
Strongyli
A German landing craft split in two by a direct hit in 1943
Strongyli is the wreck of a German type H landing craft cut in half beside the islet of Strongyli, sunk in the first landing attempts of the Battle of Leros. The two halves lie in clear water at a depth Open Water divers can reach, and the bare iron frame invites swim-throughs.
Also known as Strongili, Strogili, Pioneer German landing craft, German landing craft H.
Where it is and how deep
37.2034° N, 26.8206° EApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The two halves of the landing craft rest in very clear water on the south side of Strongyli, between 16 m and 18 m. Swimming the whole length of the wreck shows how big the German storm boats were, and the open iron framework is photogenic and fun to swim through and explore.
The wreck
- Vessel
- German pioneer landing craft 41
- Type
- Landing craft
- Length
- 19.3 m (63 ft)
- Cause
- Set on fire, driven onto the rocks and split in two by a direct hit
- Lies
- In two halves on the south side of Strongyli at 18 m
The landing craft took part in the Battle of Leros, when the first landings were attempted on 12 November 1943 after a long period of intense bombing. Hit and on fire, she ran out of control onto the rocks of Strongyli, until a direct hit split her in two and she sank with many casualties. The craft was 19.3 m long and 5.93 m wide, with a loaded draft of 1 m.
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Fair |
Season follows Leros & Lakki: Leros is at its best from Easter to October, when most facilities are open; no single month stands out for the wrecks.
Questions divers ask
What certification does the Strongyli landing craft wreck need?+
Open Water is enough: the two halves of the wreck lie between 16 m and 18 m.
Sources
- Leros Battle Wreck: Pioneer German Landing Craft — Hydrovius Diving Center
- Leros diving activity — The Aegean Islands
- OpenStreetMap geocoding — OpenStreetMap
More dive sites in Leros & Lakki
Wreck
A Heinkel 111 bomber in the shallows off Blefouti beach
Wreck
A Greek destroyer sunk by German bombers inside Lakki harbour
Similar dives elsewhere
Wreck
Airbus A300
Kuşadası · Turkey
A full-size airliner with a 44 m wingspan on the gulf floor
A shot-down jet fighter scattered over 50 by 50 m at 19 m
A sailing ship's remains at only about 16 m off Koločep
A sugar carrier lost in 1985, lying in 12-16 m