Laconia Laconia Laconia (, "Lakonía", ) is a region of Greece in the southeastern part of the Peloponnese peninsula. Its administrative capital is Sparta. The word "laconic" is derived from the name of the region by analogy—to speak in a concise way, as the Spartans were reputed by the Athenians to do. Laconia is bordered by Messenia to the west and Arcadia to the north and is surrounded by the Myrtoan Sea to the east and by the Laconian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. It encompasses Cape Malea and Cape Tainaron and a large part of the Mani
Laconia incident "U-156" was patrolling off the coast of West Africa midway between Liberia and Ascension Island. The submarine's commanding officer, Hartenstein, spotted the large British ship sailing alone and attacked it. Ships armed with guns (which most merchantmen and troop transports were) fell outside the protection from attack without warning, therefore the "Laconia" was regarded as a legitimate target. At 10:22 p.m., "Laconia" transmitted the following message on the 600-metre band: "SSS SSS 0434 South / 1125 West "Laconia" torpedoed." "SSS" was the code signifying "under attack by submarine". Despite further messages being sent, there is no record that any were