Cape Thymari
Battery PL 989
PL 989
Location
Cape Thymari (Fakoudia)
altitude 61 m
Administration
- Artillery Lieutenant Farro Gaetano (Commander)
- Artillery Second Lieutenant Eusepi Bernardini (Vice Commander)
Weaponry
It was equipped with 4 guns of 76mm/40
It was a dual-purpose artillery (Anti-aircraft and Anti-surface)
In the northernmost region of the island, stands almost untouched one of the Italian artillery batteries, with code number PL.989. At a height of sixty-one meters above the sea, a defensive complex of artillery was set up, which had as its main purpose the defense of the island. At Cape Thymari, endless battles took place against enemy aircraft and ships. During the critical days of the battles, according to the new plan devised by the Allies, leadership was given to the English General Tinley, bypassing the previous Italian commander Mascherpa. The new arrival General Tinley divided the island into three sectors: North, Central, and South. He placed English commanders in all sectors and gave second-in-command to Italian officers. In the northern sector, where among other things the artillery battery we visited with a friend belonged, the commander was Lieutenant Colonel Iggulden with Italian Lieutenant Colonel Vittorio Meneghini as his deputy. In PL 989. IV 76/40, the unit was commanded by Major Farro C with Lieutenant Eusepi B as his deputy. In the narrow channel of Archangelos, apart from the fact that three anti-submarine nets had been placed, there was also an artillery complex in the entire northern sector, which made it impossible for any plan conceived by the human mind to access. The islands that had airports were the island of Kos, as well as the island of Rhodes. Before the Battle of Leros, the Germans had managed to gain control over these two islands. The allies turned to the Turkish leadership requesting the coastal airports. However, the Turks refused to give them up, so the Germans bombarded the island undisturbed for 52 days. From September 26, 1943, to October 31, 1943, there were 141 formations that passed over Leros, consisting of a total of 6,024 planes. The anti-aircraft artillery of the island fired 150,000 rounds. I present to you in a photograph the detailed table of the German attacks at that time, as well as the Italian military map of that time! This artillery is located in the most beautiful spot of Leros, where with the naked eye you can see the islands of Patmos, Lipsi, Agathonisi, Trupit, Patelidi, Samos, Archangelos, Faradonisia, and the two Kalapodia, among others that I apologize for not mentioning. Today, the artillery is under the occupation of the sheepfolds, where these unfortunate ones have found shelter for so many years! It would be wrong of me not to mention that at 150 meters there is an ancient temple, which is also under occupation and ready to be sold! As my dear friend, a shepherd of the area, told me, the ancient and very important temple that I mentioned earlier is included in the alleged ownership of a prominent member of our society. The temple is depicted on Francesco P.'s map as Selene.
Cape Thymari Today
Photos by Markos Spanos ©