Did you know…
What happened in Piraeus on the night of 6 April 1941?
Short answer
Luftwaffe Junkers Ju 88 bombers, led by Hans-Joachim "Hajo" Herrmann, attacked the ships in Piraeus on 6 April 1941. At 03:15 the Clan Fraser, still unloading weapons and 200 tons of TNT, blew up. By dawn the port was badly damaged.
The invasion and the attack on the port
On 6 April 1941 German forces invaded Greece, and Luftwaffe Junkers Ju 88 bombers, led by Hans-Joachim "Hajo" Herrmann, attacked ships anchored in Piraeus. The Clan Fraser was in the port, still unloading its cargo of weapons and 200 tons of TNT. At 03:15 it was hit and destroyed when that TNT exploded.
An explosion felt in Athens
The ship sank in the port, killing six and wounding nine. Its captain, J. H. Giles, was among the survivors. The shockwave from the blast was felt 15 miles (24 km) away in Athens, where it blew open doors, and in Psychiko, where it shattered windows.
The port at dawn
The glowing debris thrown out by the explosion detonated the TNT on other nearby ships and set them on fire, along with buildings on shore. By morning the port had suffered serious damage.
More questions
Aviation history
What was special about the Vertol 76?
Vertol's VZ-2 tested the tiltwing concept for vertical take-off and landing. After ground trials beginning in April 1957, it first took off on 13 August only… more…
Aviation history
Which was the most-produced American fighter of the Second World War?
The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, of which 15,636 or 15,683 units were built, depending on the source. It was also one of the heaviest fighters of the conflict… more…
Aviation history
Who flew the E-66 at 2,149 km/h?
Konstantin or Vladimir Kokkinaki, depending on the source. Konstantin is credited with the absolute record on a closed 100 km circuit, at 2,148.66 km/h, set… more…
Fly-by-Owen (CC BY SA), vía commons Aviation history
How many I-11Bs were built?
Between 208 and around 450, depending on the source: one of the AISA I-11 reference sheets gives 208 examples built, while All-Aero speaks of around 400 built… more…
Aviation history
How many HH-53s could be converted to Pave Low III?
Eight HH-53C aircraft received an improved systems package and were redesignated HH-53H Pave Low III. The other figure in circulation, nine MH-53H and 32… more…
SCDBob (CC BY SA), vía commons Aviation history
What did the A129 Mangusta's armor protect?
The fuselage: the A129's airframe is armored and, according to All-Aero, designed to protect against 12.7 mm rounds, with partial protection against 23 mm… more…
