The High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, Antonis Sammoutis has issued a message to the Greek and Cypriot diaspora ahead of OXI Day on Monday, October 28.

Full message in English:

Dear Compatriots,

With feelings of national pride, I once again extend my greetings on the great national anniversary of OXI Day and the epic of 1940. Greece’s significant victory over Italy became a unique source of inspiration, courage, and emotion for the entire democratic world. From New Zealand and Australia, who were in the fight from the outset of the war, to the United States, which entered the war the following year but supported from the start those forces that stood up against fascism, messages of admiration for the heroism of the Greeks flooded into Greece. These sacrifices were worthy of the struggles our people have fought for thousands of years to keep their country free from any foreign threat.

We never forget that alongside Greeks around the world, including many volunteers from Cyprus, the ANZACs fought valiantly in battles from Macedonia to Crete, with thousands of Australian soldiers of Greek and Cypriot descent once again taking part. Thousands of Cypriot volunteers also joined the British Army, fighting in Greece, Egypt, Italy, and Central Europe. The struggles of the free and democratic world were justified in 1945 when fascism was finally defeated. However, sadly for all of us, the horrid years of German occupation in Greece were followed by a bloody civil war rather than the unity and harmony that could have led to the rebuilding of our homeland. Foreign ideologies, alien to Hellenism, and external powers incited a fratricidal conflict from as early as 1944. This not only brought new destruction but also prevented Greece from integrating regions that rightfully belonged to her, such as Northern Epirus and Cyprus.

This year’s anniversary coincides with another tragic anniversary for Cyprus—the 50 years since the Turkish invasion and occupation of a large part of our homeland. Allow me once again to extend my deepest thanks to all our expatriates for their participation in the events condemning this occupation, held in all major cities of Australia. We will never forget the crime against Cyprus, and we will never cease our efforts for the island’s liberation and reunification, no matter how many years pass. In this struggle, we now have the support of a united Europe, the great family we joined exactly 20 years ago, with the hope of securing all human rights and freedoms for all Cypriots—Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike—just as is the case in every other European Union country.

Finally, with this opportunity to address the diaspora, I would like to congratulate the Archdiocese of Australia, the Mother Church, the guardian of the traditions and identity of our people, for the successful celebration of its 100th anniversary. These celebrations, many of which I had the honour and blessing to attend, culminated in the historic visit of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. During this visit, I was delighted to see once again the strong presence and support of our diaspora community.

Greece’s Deputy Foreign Minister Giorgos Kotsiras has sent an OXI (‘NO’) Day message to Australia’s Greek diaspora ahead of October 28.

Full message in English:

Dear Compatriots,

Today’s anniversary of “OXI Day” is a day of remembrance and pride for the Greek people, who on October 28, 1940, stood tall and, with national unity and solidarity, fought against the Axis forces. Today, we honour those who fought and sacrificed their lives for our freedom, writing one of the most glorious chapters in modern Greek history, the epic of 1940, and defending the timeless and fundamental values of Hellenism, such as democracy, freedom, independence, and justice.

The critical and fluid international period we are currently experiencing makes the anniversary of October 28 exceptionally relevant, bringing to the forefront those timeless and universal values that inspired our ancestors and continue to inspire Greeks all over the world. Today, more than ever, we are called to highlight together the enduring messages of October 28, the ideals and values that remain the firm points of reference and the guiding compass of our nation. It is no coincidence that Dialogue, Diplomacy, and Democracy—Greek-origin words with universal significance—form the guiding principles of Greece during its tenure as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2025-2026 period.

We are proud of the Greeks of the Diaspora, who are undoubtedly our best ambassadors beyond the borders of the motherland. Not only do they promote Hellenism as a vessel of universal values, but they also significantly contribute to the protection of national interests and the international image of Greece.

Strengthening the Greek presence worldwide and our ties with the Diaspora is a matter of national priority for us. With this vision, we have proceeded at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the creation of the Strategic Plan for the Greek Diaspora 2024-2027, a comprehensive plan for the Greeks of the Diaspora, with clear objectives and actions.

Dear compatriots,

In an era when challenges to peace and security are multi-dimensional and more complex than ever, Greece remains a pillar of stability, always faithful to the values for which the heroes we honour on today’s anniversary of October 28 fought and sacrificed their lives. Today, all Greeks are called upon to move forward with national unity, creativity, and confidence to achieve our national goals and work towards a better and more just world for future generations.

Long live October 28!
Happy OXI Day to all Greek women and men!

For years, recovery teams tried to locate the wreckage of the HMS Trooper submarine, last reported seen on October 14, 1943. However, according to popsci.com, Kostas Thoctarides, founder of the underwater recovery company Planet Blue, proposed a new theory: the submarine’s supposed final sighting wasn’t the Trooper, but another vessel of the same class. If correct, this meant the submarine could be located further west than initially thought.

Thoctarides and his team focused their search in the newly identified region, using shipboard sonar to scan the area. They eventually detected a large mass on the seabed near the Aegean island of Donoussa. On October 3, after deploying the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) “Super Achille” for closer inspection, they confirmed the wreckage was indeed the long-lost Trooper. The mission, however, faced significant challenges due to the notoriously treacherous conditions of the Icarian Sea.

“The Icarian Sea is one of the most difficult seas, with strong winds, waves, and powerful underwater currents,” Thoctarides explained in an interview with LiveScience on October 15.

A visual inspection of the severely damaged wreckage revealed that the submarine likely struck a German mine, which caused it to break into three sections. The largest, a stern piece, measured about 106 feet. An open hatch on the conning tower suggests the submarine may have been sailing on the surface when it sank.

Capt. Richard Wraith of the British Royal Navy praised the find, offering hope to the families of the lost crew, including his father, Lt. John Wraith, the sub’s commander.

Source: popsci.com