The Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Limassol, proudly hosted the presentation of the book 'Lifting the Confidentiality – From the Unknown Battle of Phaethon to the World of Business" by Dimitris Mitsatsos, Commander of the patrol boat Phaethon. The event took place at the Amathus Beach Hotel in Limassol and marked a significant moment of historical reflection and national pride.
In this compelling work, Mitsatsos recounts the secret naval mission of the patrol boat Phaethon, which in 1964 engaged in a battle against the Turkish Air Force in the bay of Xeros, an operation that remained classified for over fifty years. The Phaethon, operating with one engine disabled and only one of its five-gun barrels functional due to faulty ammunition, faced off against Turkish fighter jets. Despite the extraordinary efforts of Commander Mitsatsos, the vessel sustained heavy damage. Wounded himself, he executed a forced beaching to save the lives of the surviving crew.
The battle claimed the lives of seven men:
Reserve Ensign Panagiotis Chrysoulis – First Officer, Athens
Petty Officer Nikolaos Panagos – Chief Engineer, Piraeus
Petty Officer Spyridon Agathos – Gunnery Officer, Salamina
Sailor Panagiotis Theodoratos, Kefalonia
Sailor Nikolaos Niafas, Lamia
Sailor Nikolas Kapadoukas, Skopelos
Civilian Volunteer Andis Filitas, Morphou, Cyprus
Through his personal testimony, the author pays tribute to those who fell and those who survived, while also sharing his remarkable transition from military service to a distinguished career in business. The book stands as a powerful tribute to sacrifice, valor, and patriotism, offering readers a deeper understanding of Cyprus’s national history.
The evening drew an audience of 250 members and guests, including government officials, military and navy personnel, and many prominent leaders and executives from Cyprus’s maritime and shipping community.
The evening opened with welcome remarks by Polys V. Hajioannou, President of the Propeller Club of Limassol. He emphasized that, 61 years after the tragic events, tribute is being paid to Mitsatsos and the crew of Phaethon. His remarks highlighted the enduring values of patriotism, sacrifice, and leadership, while underscoring the importance of preserving national identity. He also spoke of Cyprus’s vital role in the heritage of Hellenism and its deep-rooted connection to maritime history.
Hajioannou then introduced Costis J. Frangoulis, the first non-American to be elected President of the International Propeller Club in its 98-year history and President of the Port of Piraeus, a milestone of great significance for the global maritime community and a source of immense pride for Greece.
In his address, Frangoulis expressed his honor at attending his first official engagement abroad in Cyprus, highlighting the island’s deep-rooted ties to Hellenism and his personal involvement in re-establishing the Limassol chapter. He praised Commander Mitsatsos as a true national hero and reaffirmed the Club’s mission to foster maritime cooperation and preserve historical memory.
The book presentation featured a distinguished panel. The presentation was moderated by Christos Iacovou, Director of the Cyprus Research Center. The panel of speakers included Charalambos Charalambous, Vice Admiral (Ret.), Georgios M. Foustanos, author and maritime historian, and Costis J. Frangoulis, President of the International Propeller Club, and the Port of Piraeus.
Together, they offered insightful commentary on both the historical and personal dimensions of the book. They explored the heroic battle of Phaethon against the Turkish Air Force and the decades of secrecy that followed, while emphasising Mitsatsos’s unwavering ethos, bravery, and resilience, not only during the mission but throughout the years that ensued. Despite losing the use of one arm and being bound to silence, he forged a new path, beginning a second life and career. At 28, he pursued studies at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), later assuming executive roles in land-based industry and shipbuilding. In 1983, he established the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA), which he led until 2020. Today, he holds the rank of Senior Captain in the Hellenic Navy under active reserve status.
Following the presentation, Dimitris Mitsatsos was honored with commemorative plaquettes presented by Commodore Minas Solomonides, Commander of the Cyprus Navy, and Colonel Asterios Despoudis, Commander of the Hellenic Force in Cyprus. Polys V. Hajioannou, President of the Propeller Club of Limassol, also presented an honorary plaque to Mitsatsos.
In recognition of his historic election as the first non-American President of the International Propeller Club, Hajioannou awarded a special honorary plaque to Costis J. Frangoulis.
It was an evening filled with emotional intensity and deep sentiment, where historical memory, personal contribution, and a sense of national pride were interwoven into an atmosphere of profound unity and respect. A particularly moving moment was the presence of Andis Filitas and Konstantina Niafa, relatives of the fallen from the Phaethon, who were warmly applauded by the attendees as a small gesture of honor and recognition for the sacrifice of their loved ones. The event was also graced by the presence of Fotini Papadopoulou, daughter of national benefactor Anastasios Leventis, the donor of the two patrol boats Phaethon and Arion, which were sent to Cyprus and formed the country’s first naval force.
The evening concluded with a cocktail buffet reception held at the Amathus Beach Hotel’s poolside area, attended by all guests. Complimentary copies of the book were offered to attendees by the Club.
This memorable occasion was made possible thanks to the generous support of the following sponsors: American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Bank of Cyprus, Eurobank, Lloyd’s Register, Safe Bulkers, Inc., and Tsavliris Salvage Group.
