On the occasion of the recent installation of the new informational sign at the HMS Perseus Submarine Memorial in Sarakinikos, Poros, the President of the Poros Community, Odysseas Galiatsatos, and the undersigned had the opportunity to visit this historic site of our island once again, with deep respect and emotion.
The memorial, which enjoys a privileged position overlooking the Ionian Sea, honours the memory of the 59 crew members of the British submarine HMS Perseus, which sank on 6 December 1941 after striking an Italian mine south of Kefalonia, near the area of Mavrata.
It was there that the sole survivor, the Briton John Capes, managed to escape from the sunken submarine using a submerged escape apparatus. After swimming for many hours in freezing waters, he reached the southern coast of Kefalonia exhausted, where two local fishermen found him the following morning.
Patriotic Kefalonians sheltered and cared for him at great risk to their own lives, constantly moving him from house to house to avoid capture by the Italian and German occupation forces. John Capes remained hidden on our island for approximately 18 months.
On 31 May 1943, he succeeded in escaping from Poros aboard a small fishing boat named the "Evangelistria", as part of a secret operation organised by British Intelligence. The boat carried him safely to Turkey, from where he returned to the Allied forces.
The story of John Capes and the brave solidarity shown by the people of Kefalonia constitute a deeply moving chapter in our shared history during the Second World War. It stands as a powerful example of humanity and courage that must never be forgotten.
Spiros Kagadis
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