Bristol Beaufighter
The first information we had came from elderly residents, who knew that during World War II, two Allied aircraft, after being hit by anti-aircraft fire, were forced to crash land in the Naxos area. One of them was most likely to have crashed in the wider area of ​​Cape Kouroupa, on the West coast of Naxos.​
01
Location
A sponge diver told us that he knew there was an aircraft on the seabed of Cape Kouroupas, a description that matched the previous information we had. So on February 21, 2006, we began our search in the southeastern part of the cape, at depths between -32 and -40 meters. In this part of the island, adverse weather conditions usually prevail, which did not allow us to dive as often as we would have liked.
After 14 dives in the area and several hours of searching with the help of a GPS depth finder, we covered an area of ​​about 10,000 square meters until finally, on June 3, 2007, we located it about half a mile offshore of Cape Kouroupas.
The Beaufighter aircraft was in such a position that it seemed as if its pilot had not only ditched it, but had "landed" it on the flat sandy substrate of the seabed, 34 meters below the surface of the sea.
Photo Credits: Stefanos Kontos
02
The Condition of the Bristol Beaufighter
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The aircraft is in very good condition. Its heading is 40 degrees North-Northeast. The nose of the fuselage has been cut off and is lying on the seabed in front and left of the captain's cabin. The radar, as well as the right wing engine propeller, are missing, probably detached, hit by German anti-aircraft fire.
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There are no human skeletons inside the aircraft, nor military metal identification tags. The canopy above the captain's control is open, while the corresponding one, in the navigator's position, is missing, as are the two compasses of the aircraft. The navigator's machine gun remains where it fell, in front of his seat, while several bullets are scattered around.
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The left wing engine propeller is bent, leading to the assumption that the engine was running when the Beaufighter ran aground.
Photo Credits: Stefanos Kontos
In a direction of 310 degrees and a short distance away, some more parts of the fuselage were found detached. On the sides of the fuselage there are several bullet holes, indelible marks of the battle that took place. Some are more than 10 centimeters in diameter. Some parts of the fuselage behind the navigator's position are also detached. The tail fin is in good condition while the rudder has also been detached.
Not a trace of the aircraft's paintwork remains.
Photo Credits: Stefanos Kontos
03
The story of the Bristol Beaufighter
The following information was collected from many different sources.
-We know that on October 20, 1943, a patrol from the LRDG (Long range desert group) consisting of seven men, under the command of Lieutenant Aitken, arrived by motor boat and landed at Naxos.
-A few days later the patrol observed some isolated enemy ships in the area of ​​the port of Naxos. They reported these movements and…
-On October 30, 1943, four aircraft took off from Cyprus. They were two B-25 Mitchell bombers of the American squadron USAAF and two Beaufighters of the 47th squadron RAF. They attacked and managed to sink two of the enemy ships, but at the cost of shooting down one Mitchell and one Beaufighter.
-The Beaufighter TF – Mk x with the number JM-225* ran aground half a mile offshore from Cape Kouroupa on the west coast of Naxos.
-The crew of the aircraft, of New Zealand nationality, we believe were the captain, Squadron Leader W. E. Hayter from the 47th Squadron of the RAF, while the navigator/gunner was the lieutenant commander T. J. Harper from the 603rd Squadron of the RAF. The two pilots escaped death by abandoning the aircraft in time, which according to veterans' testimonies, takes only 30 seconds to start sinking.
-The Naxians took the lead in their rescue, who, under cover, transported them to Naxos Chora. There, after treating their wounds, the doctors dressed them in local costumes so that they would pass unnoticed.
-They soon came into contact with the LRDG patrol and managed to escape them from under the noses of 650 soldiers of the German garrison.
-The pilots and the seven men of the LRDG patrol arrived safely on the island of Leros on November 6, 1943 and were then transferred to their base in Cyprus.
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Photo Credits: Stefanos Kontos
Photo Credits: Stefanos Kontos
Photo Credits: Stefanos Kontos
04
THE AIRCRAFT
The first two-seater Beaufighter made its first flight on July 17, 1939. Its name was derived from the words Beaufort and Fighter.
During World War II it was used as a reconnaissance, fighter, night fighter, chaser, bomber, anti-submarine, torpedo bomber, long-range. It was perhaps the best fighter-bomber aircraft of its time. The Germans called it “Whispering Death” for its exceptional ability in low-flying maneuvers as well as for its weapons capability.
As it is said, aircraft of this type are responsible for sinking 60% of the enemy forces’ oil tankers, leaving them with so little fuel that ultimately, and mainly for this reason, they lost the war.
Technical characteristics:
Manufacturer: Bristol Aeroplane co.
Type: Bristol Beaufighter TF Mk x
Number of aircraft built: 2205
Engines: 2 Bristol Hercules XV11, 1770 hp each. (1319.52kW)
Length: 12.70 m
Height: 4.83 m
Wingspan: 17.63 m
Unladen weight: 7076 kg
Maximum operational weight: 11521 kg
Maximum speed: 512 km / h at 3048 m
Initial rate of climb: 488 m / min
Range: 2366 km to 2913 km maximum.
Armament: 4 recessed 20 mm Hispano heavy machine guns in the nose of the fuselage,
4 external 303 7.7 mm machine guns in the right wing,
2 external 303 7.7 mm machine guns in the left wing,
4 RP-3 rockets, 41 kg per wing or 1 113 kg bomb per wing,
1 Vickers GO or 303 Browning machine gun in the navigator's position,
1 x 18 Torpedo 457 mm.
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​Reference: Naxos Diving
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To what extent is the story of the aircraft we know to this day valid? The future will tell us...
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