Kathimerini Greece Newsroom
A fisherman off the coast of Crete made an extraordinary catch this week—a 15-meter-long wing believed to be from a Junkers Ju 88 bomber, a German World War II aircraft. The relic was snagged in trawler nets at a depth of 70 to 80 meters, in waters near Iraklio, between Linoperamata and the island of Dia.
Once the trawler returned to port, port authority officials helped remove the massive wing from the nets and alerted the local underwater antiquities ephorate. Archaeologists have now begun the delicate process of conserving the piece, which is said to be in remarkably good condition despite spending decades underwater.
Yiannis Androulakis, president of the local fishermen’s association, expressed amazement at the find, describing it as a rare and well-preserved artifact from the depths of history.
The Junkers Ju 88, a twin-engine multirole aircraft, was a versatile workhorse for the German Luftwaffe during World War II. The wreckage is a stark reminder of Crete's strategic importance during the war, when German forces used the Iraklio airport as a hub to support their campaigns in North Africa and disrupt Allied operations.
This unexpected discovery sheds light on Crete's wartime history and offers a unique glimpse into the island’s underwater heritage.
