Kastania, Laconia Kastania, Laconia Kastania is a town in Mesa Mani, in Laconia, Greece. It is part of the municipal unit Sminos. In 1770, after the Orlov Revolt failed, the Ottomans wanted to punish the Maniots for their support of it. They attacked the two Maniot pyrgoi which belonged to the Venetsanakis clan. With them was the father of the hero of the Greek War of Independence, Theodoros Kolokotronis, Kostantinos Kolokotronis and his wife who was pregnant with his son. The Ottoman commander Hussan Bey, laid siege to the pyrgoi. After holding out for three days the defenders burst out of the
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