(1942-1945) Sacred Band

In 1942, there appeared to be disproportionately many officers in the Greek army fighting in the Middle East. To address this issue, a special foces unit was formed that was composed entirely of officers and officer cadets. In reality, many of the "officers" were simple soldiers who had fled to Turkey and had been told (presumably erroneously) that they couldn't join the army in North Africa unless they were officers. The unit, initially named "Company of Chosen Immortals" was formed under Cavalry Major Antonios Stefanakis in Palestine, with 200 men, 130 of which were officers. It was organised as a Machine Gun Company and intended to be attached to the II Greek Brigade. This changed when its new commander Col. Christodoulos Tsigantes took over. Tsigantes was an ex-Venizelist, who had taken part in the attempted coup of 1935. His first move was to get rid of those who were openly leftist and any others he considered troublemakers. Using his close relations with officers in the Allied HQ, he applied and succeeded in converting the unit into a special forces unit, which he renamed "Sacred Band". After intensive training in the British SAS camp in Cairo and additional training in Palestine, the Sacred Band was placed in battle in El Alamein and Tunisia. By then it numbered 400 men. Until August 1945, when it was disbanded, it fought alongside the SAS in the Libyan desert and the Aegean, as well as with General Leclerc's Free French Forces in Tunisia. The Sacred Band of 1942-45 is the precursor of the modern Greek Special Forces and some of its traditions are carried on by the Mountain Raiding Companies (LOK), founded in 1946.

Operational History
1942 - In close cooperation with the commander of the British SAS Regiment, Lt. Colonel David Stirling, and with the approval of the Greek HQ, the company moved to the SAS base at Qabrit in Egypt to begin its training in its new role.
17 Nov. 1942 - 27 Jan. 1943 - 8 men under G. Alexandris operate with the SAS behind German lines in Cyrenaica.
4 Dec. 1942 - 60 men move towards Benghazi to perform SAS-like sabotage raids, but the mission is cancelled due to the rapid advances of the British.
27 Jan. 1943 - Following special training, the Sacred Band moves west to join the SAS in raids behind German-Italian lines. The mission is cancelled due to recent heavy losses of the SAS and the capture of its leader, Stirling.
7 Feb. 1943 - Following Colonel Tsigantes's suggestion, General Montgomery puts the Sacred Band under the command of General Leclerc of the Free French 2nd Armoured Division, with the duties of Light Mechanised Cavalry.
10 Mar. 1943 - In Ksar-Rillan, Tunisia, the Sacred Band gives its first battle against a German mechanised detachment, while covering the advance of the X British Army Corps that try to by-pass the Mareth defence line from the South.
29 Mar. 1943 - After the Allied forces capture Gabès, Tunisia, the Sacred Company is detailed to the 2nd New Zealand Division
6 Apr. 1943 - A mixed Greek-New Zealand detachment fights against the Germans at Wadi Akarit.
12 Apr. 1943 - The Sacred Band enters Sousse, and participates in the battle for Enfidaville between April 13 and 17.
May 1943 - The Sacred Band, now composed of 314 men, moves to Palestine, in various camps.
July 1943 - It takes parachute training in Jenin and undergoes a reorganisation into an HQ Section, a Base Section, and Commando Sections I,II and III.
9 Sep. 1943 - The Italians capitulate and British forces start moving into the Italian-occupied Dodecanese islands.
1-17 Nov. 1943 - Section I of the Sacred Band is dropped by air to the Greek island of Samos, while sections II and III move there on fishing boats. With the failure of the campaign after the battle of Leros, however, Samos is evacuated, and the men of the Sacred Band withdraw to the Middle East.
Feb. 1944 - Put under the command of the British Raiding Forces.
7 Feb. 1944 - Section I moves for combat operations to the islands of the northern Aegean sea, while Section II moves to the Dodecanese with the same purpose.
29 Mar. 1944 - The Sacred Band liberates the island of Psara.
3 Apr. 1944 - 30 men perform diversionary attack in Mitilini.
Apr. 1944 - The Sacred Band attacks Ios, Paros and Amorgos. It also expands to regimental size, with a strength of around 1,000 men. This reflects the unit's effectiveness, and, from a British standpoint, political reliability in the face of mounting political tensions among the Greek forces in exile.
17 May 1944 - 31 men raid Samos and destroy selected targets
13-14 Jul. 1944 - A combined Greek-British force neutralises the 200-strong garrison of Simi and captures the island.
Sep. 1944 - Following sabotage raids in Thira, Ko and Karpathos, the Sacred Band with 25 men liberates Mykonos after neutralising its garrison (24-25 Sep.). A little later, it accepts the surrender of the Germans in Lesbos.
Oct. 1944 - The Greek mainland is liberated and the Sacred Band returns to Greece, where strains are becoming evident in the relationship of Papandreou's British-backed national unity government and the leftist National Liberation Front (EAM), which controls most of the countryside. The crucial issue is the disarmament of the guerrilla forces and the formation of a new national army out of members of both the exiled armed forces and the guerrillas of ELAS and EDES. However, the Papandreou government wish to retain the Sacred Band and the 3rd Greek Rimini Mountain Brigade intact. Disbanding them would mean that their members would become individual recruits in a possibly EAM-dominated people's army. This tension eventually spills over into the Dekemvriana events in Athens, where the Sacred Band fights against the Communist ELAS forces.
In the meantime, elements of the Sacred Band escort Papandreou's government in its return to Athens, and parade in front of the people of Athens.
25 Oct. 1944 - 50 men raid Tilos and liberate temporarily the island. The island is re-captured by the Germans a little later.
11 Feb. 1944 - 114 men liberate the island of Nisiros.
25 Feb. 1945 - With the help of an Indian company, it neutralises the 200-strong German garrison of Tilos and re-captures the island.
28 Feb. 1944 - 513 men attack and liberate Tinos.
Mar.-May 1945 - The unit patrols the Dodecanese in armed fishing boats (kaikia), raids Alimia and and participates in the siege of Rhodes. 217 men operate during the night and neutralise all German coastal garrisons of Rhodes. The Germans surrender in Kos and Rhodes.
3-4 May 1945 - Last raid is against the island of Milos.
June 1945 - The unit returns to Egypt.
7 Aug. 1945 - The unit disbands in a ceremony in Athens. During the ceremony the unit's flag is awarded with Greece's highest military awards, the Gold Cross of Valour and the War Cross First Class. The unit's casualties throughout its existence have amounted to 25 dead, 56 wounded, 3 missing and 29 taken prisoner.

For Gamers and Game designers
The Sacred Band was a properly trained special forces unit that operated in much the same way as the SAS. They were trained in jeep-borne and airborne operations, but their main expertise lied in amphibious island raids, usually in converted fishing boats.

For Modellers
From left to right, Tunisia Feb. 1943 by Stavros of modelclub.gr, a model by pkpappas of modelclub.gr, and a model from IPMS-Hellas 2007:

(1920-1936) Avro 504

The Hellenic Navy used two distinct versions of the Avro 504; the 504 K during the Asia Minor Campaign, and the 504 O/N during the interwar period.

Greece received a small number of Avro 504 K trainers after World War 1. They were used to train pilots in Dekeleia during the Asia Minor campaign. The photo above shows a damaged plane belonging to the Naval Aviation Service (taken near Dekeleia airport in 1920; from the collection of P. Tsekas). The colours are not certain, but I chose clear doped linen, which is the most probable as the Greeks hadn't started using the silver colour yet.

In 1925, the Greeks ordered six of the newest variant, the Avro 504 N/O, as part of a very large modernisation programme. The 504 N had a number of design modifications, with most important the use of the much stronger Armstrong-Siddeley Lynx engine. It also had new, modified ailerons, no top centre section of the top wing, two 18 gal. fuel tanks below the top wing instead of one on top of the top wing, as well as a new undercarriage.
The naval version, 504 O, was different in that a vertical stabiliser was added, and of course it had floats.

The text below is from a contemporary British publication describing the strengthening of the Greek Naval Air Force during the late 1920s:
_______________________________________
"The Director of the Greek Air Force at the Ministry of Marine, Captain Demestichas, during 1925 submitted to the Superior Council of Marine a long report, with suggestions for the reorganisation of the Naval Air Force.
Capt. Demestichas, as a justification of his views, recalls that practically all the countries, without excluding those neighbouring Greece, have for some time past considered the exceptional importance of aviation, as they are of the opinion that a powerful Air Force constitutes the best weapon for the defence of the country and is at the same time an efficient means to ensure the necessary mastery to the naval forces and the communications on sea.
A powerful airforce, Capt. Demestichas declares, will render important services, the principal being: to supply the first information regarding the enemy; to attempt the destruction of his naval forces and to attack the enemy fleet in its own base. For the whole duration of the war, the Air Force shall keep a constant watch on all the seas, chase and attack the submarines and the enemy ships; it will continually send wireless messages to the chiefs of the naval units during combats; it will discover the places where the enemy has put mines, so that the Greek ships may protect themselves against the danger; it will put up aerial fights against the enemy attacking, in conjunction with the Army Air Force, the means of communications and the military units; it will conduct the long-distance bombing by the big naval units; it will supply information regarding the movements of the enemy; it will facilitate the action of friendly ships by means of smoke bombs during the day and with illuminating bombs at night; Lastly, it will defend the country against aerial attacks by the enemy which, if not prevented, would have a disastrous effect on the morale of the inhabitants.
In order to achieve the above aims, it is essential to have aircraft of high speed and great manoeuvrability, so as to chase and destroy the enemy machines. It is also necessary to have aircraft for reconnaissance and for carrying out raids into the enemy's territory, and also heavy bombing machines and of long range, suitable in addition to be used for night work.
At the end of his report, Capt. Demestichas suggests the acquisition on the part of the Greek Government of 15-18 scout machines, 15-18 fighting and reconnaissance aircraft, 3 twin-engined machines for heavy bombing at long distance, 12 heavy bombing machines and 12 torpedo-carriers. He also suggests the purchase of 12 school machines for training purposes.
In this connection, it may be stated that 12 school machines have already been ordered, six of which are of the Avro "Lynx" type, which arrived in Greece at the end of April, 1925.
The purchase of all these machines demands a sum of about £400,000, and Capt. Demestichas suggests that these expenses should be entered in the balance-sheet of the Ministry of the Marine for the next two financial years.
The report, which has been considered by the Superior Council of Marine, was entirely approved and was communicated to the Ministry of Marine, to the Prime Minister and the Council of National Defence.
By special law published in 1925, a Greek Air Force Fund was endowed with a large amount of valuable property in Athens and other parts of Greece. Also, the Fund was authorised to collect voluntary contributions from all Greeks at home and abroad. By this organisation it was hoped that the Fund would collect sufficient finance to obviate the necessity of burdening the Budget with any special expense for the provision of an efficient Air Force.
According to recent information, the Municipality of Salonika has contributed sufficient money for the purchase of twenty-five aeroplanes, Kavala, the famous Macedonian tobacco town, has offered ten aircraft, and other Greek towns have offered smaller numbers. The result of the Fund would appear to be satisfactory.
...
The chief Naval Air Station is at Phaleron Bay, with an additional Seaplane Base at Suda Bay, Crete, and the machines used up to the point of re-organisation were D.H.9s (240 h.p. "Puma" engines) for reconnaissance purposes and Sopwith "Camels" for pursuit purposes.
A number of Naval officers have been sent abroad for training, and from these will be selected the training staff for the new reorganised service..."
__________________________________

Operational History
1920-22 - A few Avro 504 K used for training during the Asia Minor campaign.
April 1925 - The first six Avro 504 O and N arrive in Greece.
1934-35 - The State Aircraft Factory in Phaliron constructs a small number of Avro 504 O and N aircraft, before turning into the licensed construction of Avro 621 Tutors.
1936 - Withdrawn from service. This date is not certain, as records show that between January 1938 and 28 October 1940, 28 Avro 504N/0 aicraft were repaired at the State Aircraft Factory.

Specifications
Avro 504 K
Length: 8.97 m
Height: 3.17 m
Wingspan: 10.97 m
Wing area: 330 sqr ft
Weight: (empty) 558 kg, (max take-off) 830 kg
Engine: 1 × Le Rhône Rotary, 110 hp (82 kW)
Armament: 1 × .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis gun, up to 4x104 kg bombs
Range: 402 km
Speed: (max) 145 km/h , (cruise) 126 km/h
Ceiling: 4,875 m
Climb rate: 3.6 m/s
Climb to 3,500 ft (1,065 m): 5 min
Crew: 2

Avro 504 N
Length: 8.69 m
Height: 3.33 m
Wingspan: 10.97 m
Wing area: 320 sqr ft
Weight: (empty) 718 kg, (max take-off) 1,016 kg
Engine: 1 x Armstrong Siddeley Lynx IV (of 160 hp or 180 hp) or Lynx IVC of 215 hp
Armament: 1 × .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis gun, up to 4x104 kg bombs
Range: 402 km
Speed: (max) 161 km/h
Ceiling: 4,450 m
Crew: 2

For Gamers and Game designers
One of the most successful trainers of its time, unusually for modern Greek history, the Avro 504N was a brand new model when the Greeks started using it.

For Modellers
Manuele Villa's computer models of the 504K (left) and 504N (right) for MS Flight Simulator:

(1926-1939) Blackburn Velos

The "Velos" was the first airplane that was built under license in Greece. The basic design of the Blackburn Dart was developed into a two-seater to meet a Greek Navy requirement for a coastal defence seaplane that could be used for bombing, torpedo launching, reconnaissance and training. The aircraft became the T.3 Velos, a twin-float seaplane, which differed from the standard Dart T.2 in having a two-seat cockpit with a rear-mounted Lewis Gun, an increased weapons load and provisions to fly as either a seaplane with floats or with a conventional land undercarriage. In 1925, four were built at Brough Aerodrome for the Greek Navy. Later in the same year, the aircraft was chosen as the first licence-built aircraft in Greece in a factory built by Blackburn and operated under a five-year contract. The Aircraft Factory, later renamed the State Aircraft Factory or Greek National Aircraft Factory, produced 12 Greek-built T.3A Velos aircraft with a raised rear cockpit to give an improved field of fire for the observer and a larger radiator. They were equipped with specialised equipment like electric intercom system, a 200 mile range radio and bomb rails. The first of the production order flew in March 1926.

The Blackburn T.3 Velos fulfilled an operational role as a coastal defence/torpedo bomber in the Naval Air Component Squadrons in Greece and helped establish an indigenous aviation industry. The aircraft began operations in 1926 with the Greek Navy deployed at Tatoi Aerodrome and Phaliron Bay, Athens. It remained in squadron use until 1934 with all examples retired by 1936. The Greeks operated 16 Velos aircraft in total (4 made in Britain and 12 made in Greece).

Operational History
1925 - Blackburn Aeroplane Co. and the Greek government conclude an agreement whereby they undertake to organise an aircraft factory at Phaliron, near Athens. The factory operates under the control of an inspection service belonging to the Greek Air Ministry. The general manager is G.W. Cannel and the technical manager is Herbert B. Bentley, previously manager of the company's establishment at Brough, East Yorkshire. The factory in Phaliron will construct Blackburn Velos torpedo-planes, Armstrong Whitworth Atlas two-seat fighters, and a number of Avro sea and land training aircraft (504-O and 504-N).
March 1926 - Maiden flight of the first Greek-built "Velos", named "Hope". 12 airplanes are to be constructed in total at Phaliron Airplane Factory, introducing for the first time in Greece, the metallic structure airplane construction technology. They will be used mainly with fixed landing gear.
Late 1930s - Withdrawn from service.

Specifications

Blackburn T.3 Velos torpedo seaplane
Length: 10.82 m
Height: 4.16 m
Wingspan: 14.78 m
Wing area: 654 sqr ft
Engine: 1 x Napier Lion V or Napier Lion IIB (450 hp)
Armament: 1 × .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis gun, up to 4x100 kg bombs or one 457mm torpedo
Crew: 2

Blackburn T.3A Velos landplane
Length: 10.82 m
Height: 3.73 m
Wingspan: 14.78 m
Wing area: 654 sqr ft
Weight: (empty) 1,711 kg, (max take-off) 2,895 kg
Engine: 1 x Napier Lion V or Napier Lion IIB (450 hp)
Armament: 1 × .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis gun, up to 4x104 kg bombs
Endurance: 4.5 hrs
Speed: (max) 172 km/h , (cruise) 114 km/h
Ceiling: 4,300 m
Climb rate: 3.2 m/s
Crew: 2

Almost identical was the Blackburn Swift (export version of Blackburn Dart) that Greece received at about the same time. The one below has the number T23.:

For Gamers and Game designers
The T.3 Velos was never tested in battle and it is difficult to assess how useful it could be. It was extremely slow even for its time, but as the world war 2 successes of the Fairey Swordfish indicate, a slow torpedo plane is still a torpedo plane.

For Modellers
Profiles of the Blackburn Velos (unknown source):

(1929-1941) Hawker Horsley Mk.II

In December 1929, six British-made Hawker Horsley aircraft were delivered to the Greek Naval Air Force. They could carry the impressive for the time, load of a 975 kg torpedo. They were based at Tatoi, near Athens, from the beginning to the end of their service. In their final years, they were used for training purposes. They did not take part in any operation during World War II.

Operational History
Dec. 1929 - 6 Horsleys are delivered to the Naval Air Force.
21 Jul. 1934 - 3 Horsleys take part in the "Tour of the Balkans", a good-will operation after the signing of the Balkan treaty that involves visiting most of the Balkan capitals, starting from Istanbul. Involved are: Georgios Themelis (mission leader; later Defence Deputy Minister), Pavlos Sachtouris, Georgios Fraggistas, Charalambos Potamianos, Xenophon Varvaressas.

Specifications
Hawker Horsley Mk.II
Length: 38 ft 10 in
Height: 13 ft 7 3/4 in
Wingspan: 56 ft 6 in
Weight: (Take Off) 7800 lb (bomber), 9271 lb (torpedo bomber); (empty) 4670 lb (bomber), 4958 lb (torpedo bomber)
Engine: 1 x Rolls-Royce Condor IIIA (665 hp)
Service Ceiling: 14000 ft
Speed: 203 km/h (bomber), 190 km/h(torpedo bomber)
Armament: A Vickers machine gun at the nose and a Lewis machine gun in the gunner position, up to 680 kg bombs or one 975 kg torpedo
Crew: 2

For Gamers and Game designers
One of very few aircraft types in the Greek Air Force that could carry a considerable bombload.

For Modellers
As designed by Manuele Villa for MS Flight Simulator:

(1939-1941) Potez 633

In January 1938, the Greeks signed an agreement with the French, for the delivery of 24 twin-engine Potez 633 B2 Grec bombers, with a deadline of one year. 13 aircraft were delivered, one of which was destroyed with French crew on the delivery to the Tanagra Air Base. The remaining 11 were confiscated by the French upon the outbreak of the war. The Greek Potez 633 had bombing configuration, except one that was delivered with photographic equipment. Their equipment included Hydraulic variable-paced propellers, F.R. radio, periscopic Bronzavia type bombing sight, OPL 36 fixed gunner sight, and GPU rails for four or two bombs. They took part in the operations in 1940 - 1941, with the 31st Bombing Squadron, until their final immobilisation due to lack of spare parts.

Operational History
Jan. 1938 - 24 aircraft ordered from France
1939 - Only 12 are delivered, one has been destroyed by the French crew delivering it and 11 have been confiscated by the French due to the outbreak of the war.
1940-1941 - At the beginning of the war, No. 31 Bomber Squadron has eight serviceable Potez 633 B2 and is stationed at Niamata, Larissa. The Squadron’s flying personnel consists of 23 officers and non commissioned officers. The Potez 633 aircraft take part in numerous bombing and reconnaissance operations until they are grounded due to lack of spares, shortly before the arrival of the Germans.

Air Kills
CONFIRMED 22 Nov. 1940 - Chr. Christidis (Potez 633, rear gunner) downs a Fiat fighter over Lake Maliki.

Specifications
Potez 633 B2 Grec
Length: 11.07 m
Height: 3.62 m
Wingspan: 16 m
Wing Area: 32.7 sq. ft
Weight: (max) 4,500 kg, (empty) 2,450 kg
Engines: 2x Gnome Rhone 14 M6/M7 700 hp
Range: 1,300km
Service Ceiling: 8,000 m
Speed: 393 km/h at sea level, 439 km/h at 4200 m Armament: FN-Browning 7,92 mm machine gun, 8 x 60 kg internal bomb payload and 4 x 60 kg external bomb payload or 2 x 220 kg on external rail carriers
Crew: 2

For Gamers and Game designers
Although a relatively modern type, the Potez 633 was too slow and could not carry large bombloads. Its contempary German equivalent was the BF 110 C, which was 100 km/h faster with the same bombload.

For Modellers
The 12 Greek Potez 633 were the B221-B231, B233 and B234. Originally in natural metal, they were later painted in the typical Greek wartime colours of green-brown-light blue. The following are some models and paintschemes from various sources:

B 221
A profile by Michail Solanakis and a model by Dimitris Georgiadis in wartime colours:



B 222
A profile by Richard Caruana:


B 223
One of the few Greek world war 2 aircraft released as ready-to-build model kit. This one is from Azur in 1/72:


B 235


Additional photos

(1943-1973) Minesweeper "Paralos"

One of four BYMS class wooden motor minesweepers that were transfered from the Royal Navy to Greece during World War II. Her sisters were Afroessa, Karteria and Salaminia. The BYMS class minesweepers were built in the US and were originally offered to the Royal Navy as part of the lend-lease programme between 1941 and 1943. They were able to perform magnetic, acoustic and mechanical minesweeping. Paralos did not serve with the Royal Navy at all. It was transfered brand new to the Greek Navy.

Operational History
9 June 1943 - Accepted to the Greek Navy in Grimsby by Lt Cdr Ch. Foufas HN, Squadron Commander of these four minesweepers.
1 Sep. 1943 - Sails to Alexandria. Used in minesweeping operations in the Eastern Mediterranean.
From 1945 - Participates in the post-war large-scale minesweeping of the Greek waters.
11 Sep. 1973 - Decommissioned.

Specifications
MMS class minesweeper "Paralos"
Displacement: 223 tons
Propulsion: Diesel 1,000 hp
Length: 41.45m
Width: 7.5m
Draft: 1.8m
Speed: 12 knots
Armament: 1 × 3 inch/50 gun, 2x 20mm guns, and four machine guns
Crew: 33

For Gamers and Game designers
A relatively modern minesweeper with adequate armament.

(1939-1941) Destroyer "Vasilefs Georgios"

The sister ship of Vasilissa Olga, Vasilefs Georgios was also built by Yarrow and fitted with German-made 127mm (5 inch) guns and 37mm AA guns. Two further ships of the same class, the Vasilefs Konstantinos and Vasilissa Sofia, were to be built in Greece, but construction halted due to the outbreak of the Second World War.
Vasilefs Georgios became the flagship of the Greek Destroyer Flotilla.

Operational History

As "Vasilefs Georgios"
1937 - Laid down.
3 Mar. 1938 - Launched.
5 Feb. 1939 - Commissioned.
14 - 15 Nov. 1940 - Participates in the first naval raid against Italian shipping in the Strait of Otranto.
4 - 5 Jan. 1941 - Participates in the third naval raid against Italian shipping in the Strait of Otranto.
14 Apr. 1941 - During the German invasion of Greece, while anchored at Sofikos Bay in the Saronic Gulf, she is attacked by German aircraft and suffers severe damage. Under the command of her captain, Commander P. Lappas, she manages with great difficulty to reach the Salamis Naval Yard where she is dry docked. However, due to the rapid German advance and the inability of repairs to be completed on time, she was scuttled to prevent capture.


As ZG-3 "Hermes"
Mar. 1942 - Vasilefs Georgios is raised and repaired by the Germans. It is commissioned in the German Navy as ZG-3 "Hermes" on 21 Mar. 1942. ZG3 becomes the flagship of the German Aegean Flotilla, serving mainly in convoy escort duties, under Kapitän zur See Rolf Johannesson.
24-25 Jun. 1942 - Together with the Italian destroyer Turbine and the Italian torpedo boats Castelfidardo, F. Crispi and Solferino, ZG3 escorts a convoy of seven transports from Piraeus to Crete.
26-27 Jun. 1942 - ZG3 and the Italian escorts escort sone ships back from Crete.
02-03 Jul. 1942 - A defensive mine laying operation of the mine layers Barletta and Bulgaria near the Cyclades is covered by ZG3 and the Italian boats Cassiopeia and Lupo.
06-07 Jul. 1942 - ZG3 transfers from Piraeus to Crete.
08-10 Jul. 1942 - Together with three Italian warships and two German submarine chaser, ZG3 escorts a convoy of 7 ships to Tobruk.
15-17 Jul. 1942 - ZG3 and the Italian torpedo boat Cassiopeia escort a small convoy of two ships form Tobruk to Piraeus.
22 Jul. 1942 - ZG3 transfers from Piraeus to the Suda Bight at Crete.
23-24 Jul. 1942 - A small convoy of two transports is escorted by ZG3 and an Italian torpedo boat form Crete to Tobruk.
24-25 Jul. 1942 - The destroyer returns to the Suda Bight.
16 Nov. 1942 - Near Cape Kafireas, one of the convoys escorted by ZG3 comes under attack by the Greek submarine Triton. Triton is sunk by one of the escorting vessels.
1943 - ZG3 leaves the East side of the Mediterranean and operates in the West Mediterranean, escorting supply ships to North Africa.
Apr. - May 1943 - New commander of ZG3 is FKpt. Lampe.
21 Apr. 1943 - ZG3 sinks the British submarine HMS Splendid.
30 Apr. 1943 - During the battle of Tunis, ZG3 is heavily damaged by air attacks and is forced to run aground near Cape Bon in Tunisia a few days later. When the Allies liberate the area it is decided not to repair the ship due to the high cost involved and it is abandoned.

Specifications
Modified G-class destroyer "Vasilefs Georgios"
Displacement: (Standard) 1,414 tons
Length: 97.5 m
Beam: 9.7 m
Draft: 2.7 m
Range: 4,800 nautical miles (8,890 km) at 19 knots (35 km/h)
Speed: 35 knots
Engine: 3 Admiralty 3-Drum Type Boilers, 2 Parsons Geared Turbines, 34,000 HP
Complement: 145
Armament: (original) 4×5 in, 4×37 mm A/A, 2×4 21 in T/T
(German refit) 4×5 in, 4×37 mm A/A, 4×20mm, 2×4 21 in T/T

For modellers
Similar to Vasilissa Olga. Notice that while Greece is a neutral nation (until 28 Oct. 1940), a Greek flag is painted on the sides

For gamers and game designers
A modified G-class destroyer that was as modern as almost any other destroyer at the beginning of the war.

An Italian documentary on the ZG-3 Hermes:

(1943-1959) Flower class "Apostolis"

A British ship, originally named HMS Hyacinth, with two successes against Italian submarines (one sunk, one captured) and one German submarine sunk (U-617). It was transfered on loan to the Hellenic Navy in 24 October 1943 and was renamed "Apostolis" after the Admiral from Psara that participated in the 1821 War of Independence. With the Greeks, the ship operated in the Mediterranean for the remainder of the war and in the civil war between 1946 and 1949. It war given back to the Royal Navy in 1959.

Operational History
as HMS Hyacinth
1940 - Commissioned in the Royal Navy.
28 September 1941 - Sinks Italian submarine Fisalia near Tel Aviv.
9 July 1942 - Damages and captures Italian submarine Perla. Perla is repaired and is put into operation with the Hellenic Navy under the name Matrosos.
12 September 1943 - HMS Hyacinth and the Australian minesweeper HMAS Wollongong sink the German submarine U-617.
as Apostolis
23 Oct. 1943 - Transfered to the Greeks in Alexandria and renamed "Apostolis".
1946 - 1949 - Participates in the Greek civil war on the side of the National Army.
1959 - Returns to the Royal Navy.

Specifications
Flower class corvette "Apostolis"
Displacement: 1,060/1,250 tons
Propulsion: 2,750 hp
Length: 62.4m
Width: 9.75m
Draft: 4.4m
Speed: 16 knots
Armament: 1 × 3-inch gun, 1 x 40mm, 4 x 20mm
Crew: 85

For Gamers and Game designers
HMS Hyacinth had a remarkable war record, with three anti-submarine successes, but was not equally successful in Greek service as Apostolis.

For Modellers
A model of Apostolis in the Hellenic Maritime Museum:


and a model competing at IPMS Hellas 2008:


Notice that contrary to other Flower class corvettes, like Kriezis and Tompazis, Apostolis had never had her forecastle extended. That is because both in British and in Greek service, it operated exclusively in the East Mediterranean, far from British shipyards. Also, she carried a 3-inch instead of a 4-inch gun.

More photos:

(1929-1941) Motor Torpedo Boats "T1" and "T2"

Built by Thornycroft in 1929, T-1 and T-2 were the only motor torpedo boats that the Greeks had at the beginning of World War II. They carried no name but just the codes T-1 and T-2. Each boat's crew included two officers, two petty officers (both engineers) and two sailors (gunner, radioman).

T1 and T2 did not see any significant action during the war, although they would certainly be useful against the Italians. They were used only in secondary roles. In 1941, they were sunk by German air raid in Salamis Naval Yard. The Germans repaired them and used them in the Aegean with slight modifications, renamed G-09 and G-10.

Interestingly, in 1939 the Greeks had ordered four newer motor torpedo boats from Vosper. These were never delivered due to the outbreak of the war. They were used by the British as MTB-218, 219, 220 and 221. Admiral Athanasios Spanidis on MTB-218 and 219 (translated from magazine "Ptisi" no143):
"In early February 1940, the Naval attaché in London informed me that I would be placed as commander of two new motor torpedo boats, being built in Portsmouth. The plan was to use them unarmed in peacetime against smuggling and armed with torpedoes in the case of war. When the war started, the English government informed the Greek that both boats should be delivered to the English Navy except if they were transfered from the Greek Ministry of Economy to the Hellenic Navy, in which case H.N. crew should be sent to receive them and not of the Ministry. During the negotiations, I studied the sailing characteristics of the boats. Towards the end of April, I went to Portsmouth to attend the final trials of the two motor torpedo boats... The news from Athens regarding the negotiations showed that they would probably be left to the English. For the record, the Greek Ministry of Economy considered it a success to receive 20,000 pounds in compensation for these ships and deny the Hellenic Navy from two capable boats. Judging by the war record with the English, I consider them as useful as our submarines in the Adriatic, with their great speed and their torpedo armament."

Operational History
1929 - Commissioned.
20 Apr. 1941 - Sunk, captured and modified lightly by the Germans

Specifications
Thornycroft 55ft CMB class Motor Torpedo Boats "T1" and "T2"
Displacement: 15 tons
Propulsion: 750 hp
Length: 16.5m
Width: 3.3m
Draft: 0.9m
Speed: 37 knots
Armament: 2 × TT 457mm (fired astern), 2 × Lewis MG, 2 depth charges
Crew: 6

For Gamers and Game designers
Although these two did not see significant action, similar torpedo boats were particularly successful for other nations, such as the British and the Italians. Notice the peculiarity of the torpedoes; they were fired astern.

For Modellers
A model of T-1 from the Hellenic Maritime Museum:


A recent model by Stavros Soulis that entered the IPMS-Hellas 2009 competition:

(1940-1941) Ski Troops

In November 1940, the Greek High Command ordered the formation of the 1st Ski Battalion for alpine raiding and reconnaissance. Here, we have the immense privilege of publishing an article written by Thanos Koutsikopoulos, who at the age of 96 is possibly the last surviving member of the 1st Ski Battalion:
________________________________________________
The Greek Ski Battalion (1940-41)

Skiing itself was introduced to Greece in 1930-31 by the Alpine Club and its branches in various towns. Before the war there were talks to introduce it in mountain villages to help the inhabitants. This is why a few days after the Italian invasion through Albania (28th October 1940), the army set up the original Ski Battalion made up of skiers from the Alpine Club who were either already serving in other units or were members of the Alpine Club who volunteered. 130 experienced skiers, bringing their own skis and ski boots, formed the first company which, after a short period of military training at Metsovo, were sent to the highest point of the front at Mount Kamia (Mnema tis Grias) which has an altitude of 2100 metres. For the 2nd and 3rd companies, five divisions from mountainous regions sent 50 soldiers (non-skiers) to be trained in skiing and alpine conditions by 6 men from the 1st company. Their skis were donated by the Alpine Club and individuals. Major Ioannis Paparrodou, himself a champion cross-country skier, was appointed as C.O. of the Battalion.

The men of the 1st company were equipped with sleeping bags and, instead of heavy military overcoats, with anoraks and trousers, white for camouflage. One of the army’s problems in the Albanian mountains was frostbite to the toes and heels, the men of the 1st company had no such problem, even though the men lived in the snow, because of the better equipment, training and experience in alpine conditions. Major Paparrodou’s plans for the immediate future were, until more experienced skiers were available, as well as a short period of ski-training, to introduce snow-shoes for the 2nd and 3rd companies. These did not need extensive training to use and provided better stability for carrying loads and weapons.

After the end of the war, when the army organised a directorate of “Special Forces”, including mountain units (LOK), General Kallinsky, their first organiser, asked for and was provided with, oral and written information from members of the former Ski Battalion.

A Modern King Leonidas

Major I Paparrodou became the Greek hero of the war. Like a modern King Leonidas he sacrificed himself fighting a motorised German column single-handedly. The Germans had invaded Greece through the unprotected Yugoslavian border to the rear of the Greek Forces and his personal sacrifice gave the Greek soldiers, withdrawing to a new line, time to avoid capture or worse. Hitler, praising the gallantry of the Greeks, ordered Greek soldiers not to be taken prisoner.

- Thanos Koutsikopoulos (First Company), August 2009

__________________________________________________

Operational History


Nov. 1940 - Ioannis Paparrodou forms the 1st Ski Battalion with personal invitations to members of mountaineering clubs. The clubs respond with the majority of eligible men enlisting and with all clubs' money and equipment offered to the army.
April 1941 - Greece falls to the Germans.

Members


Ioannis Paparrodou (Athens). Cross country skiing national champion, who became the first commander of the newly-formed 1st Ski Battalion. When the Germans invaded he was transferred to an artillery unit in Argos Orestikon. Having refused to surrender, he died fighting alone on a hill, surrounded by several German troops. The Germans burried him as a hero and his death became a legend. Today, the barracks of the Raider Forces in Olympos is named after him.
Angelos Angelousis (Serres): When he returned to his native Serres, he was exiled by the Bulgarians to Volos, where he took part in the "Apollon" resistance group. He fought against the communists during the civil war and later became member of the parliament and minister. He was exiled by the military Junta for 5 years and then resumed his political career until 1990.
Georgios Dimitriadis (Athens). Downhill national champion.
Thanos Koutsikopoulos (Athens). Cross country skier.
Emmanuel Bamieros Commander of the 1st company.
Konstantinos Talios (Thessaloniki). Commander of the 2nd company.
Giorgos Pappas (Volos). Champion from the Volos club. He was killed in action.
Plouton Loggidis (Volos). He was seriously wounded in action.
Aleksis Karrer. Communist journalist, who was sent to exile in 1947 and in 1967. He died in 2004.
Neilos Mastrantwnis "Klearxos". Resistance fighter (with EPON). Killed in Lamia, in 1 Sep. 1944.
Renos Frangoudis. Cypriot volunteer. Balkan champion in track & field.
Konstantinos Adamopoulos of Georgios (born 1919 in Smyrna – served as volunteer, survived the war. Died in 2007)< /br>Alexandros Vouksinos. The youngest (17 years).
Spyros Tsiklitiras (Patras). National champion in 200m breaststroke swimming. He also served in the navy. He was the nephew of Greek Olympic champion, K. Tsiklitiras. Also from the Patras club: Andreas Antonopoulos, Ioannis Tassopoulos, Vasilis Antonopoulos, Alekos Antonopoulos, Kostas Kaggelaris, Andreas Asimakopoulos

(1939-1943) Destroyer "Vasilissa Olga"

A modified version of the British G-class of destroyers, Vasilissa Olga was the most modern ship of the Royal Hellenic Navy at the outbreak of World War 2. Together with her sister, Vasilefs Georgios, she was built by Yarrow, but was fitted with German-made 127mm (5 inch) guns and 37mm AA guns. The installation of the armament was carried out in Greece as the Germans refused to ship the weapons to Britain. Two further ships of the same class, the Vasilefs Konstantinos and Vasilissa Sofia, were to be built in Greece, but construction halted due to the outbreak of the Second World War.

Until September 1943, when she was sunk by German bombers, Vasilissa Olga had distinguished herself as the most successful Greek ship in the war. Ironically, before she was sunk, she was known as the phantom ship of the Mediterranean destroyer flotillas, because of the several times she had escaped damage. A monument has been erected in Leros in honour of the ship.

You can watch a documentary (in Greek) of Vasilissa Olga from the Ert.gr archives.

Operational History
8 Feb. 1937 - Laid down (Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd., Scotstoun, Scotland).
2 Jun 1938 - Launched.
14 Feb 1939 - Commissioned. Under Captain Zarokostas she sails towards Salamina, Greece, where she arrives on the 1st of March 1939. She will participate in several missions until 1943 in convoy escort duty.
15 Aug. 1940 - Sails to Tinos to escort the pilgrims
14 - 15 Nov. 1940 - Participates in the 1st Otranto Straight raid
4 - 5 Jan. 1941 - Participates in the 3rd Otranto Straight raid
Feb 1941 - With defeat against the Germans seeming imminent, Vasilissa Olga carries the gold from the Bank of Greece to the island of Crete.
25 April 1941 - Three days before Greece falls to the Germans, Vasilissa Olga escapes to Alexandria, where she is assigned pennant number H 86 by the British. New captain is Georgios Blessas (photo).
Nov. - Dec. 1941 - Undergoes modernisation in Calcutta and returns to active duty in the Mediterranean Sea.
Feb. 1942 - Back in the Mediterranean. Joins a British squadron and participates in the Tobruk operations
26 Mar. 1942 - Picks up 20 survivors from the British tanker RFA Slavol that was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-205 off Sidi Barrani, Egypt.
10 Jun. 1942 - Picks up 53 men from the British tanker RFA Brambleleaf that was torpedoed and damaged by the German submarine U-559 off Ras Alem, Egypt.
15 Dec. 1942 - Together with the British destroyer HMS Petard, Vasilissa Olga sinks the Italian Adua-class submarine Uarsciek (620 tons) south off Malta.
19 Jan. 1943 - Together with the British destroyers HMS Pakenham and HMS Nubian, Vasilissa Olga sinks the German transport ship Stromboli (475 tons) off the Libyan coast.
2 Jun. 1943 - Together with the British destroyer HMS Jervis, Vasilissa Olga opens fire from 2km against the Italian Spica-class torpedo boat Castore (652 tons, see photo) and the Italian merchant ships Postumia (595 GRT) and Vragnizza (1592 GRT). Castore was sunk (at 03:15), while Postumia and Vragnizza were damaged. According to the war diaries of the Seekriegsleitung, both merchant vessels are reported to have arrived in Messina at 1630 hours on 3 June. Other sources give that Postumia went ashore and was later raised and repaired.
10 Sep. 1943 - As a recognition of the Greek Navy's contribution to the war, Vasilissa Olga leads the Allied fleet (HMS Warspite, HMS Valliant, HMS Faulknor, HMS Fury, HMS Echo, HMS Intrepid, HMS Raider, Le Terrible) that receives the surrendering Italian fleet.
17 Sep. 1943 - Together with British destroyers HMS Faulknor and Eclipse, she sinks a German convoy, consisting of the transport ships Pluto (2,000 tons), Paolo (4,000 tons) and the German submarine chaser UJ 2104 (see photo), near Astypalea.
Sep. 1943 - During the Battle of Leros, she transports members of the Long Range Desert Group to the island.
26 Sep. 1943 - Lost to an attack of 25 Ju-88 bomber aircraft while anchored in Lakki Bay, Leros. Cmdr Blessas, 6 officers and 65 other members of the crew perished with the ship. Cmdr Blessas was the first to fall during the attack. During the final moments of the ship, just before it disappears, someone cries "Zito i Olga" (Hail, Olga). All surviving members of the crew repeat it.

Specifications
Modified G-class destroyer "Vasilissa Olga"
Displacement: (Standard) 1,414 tons
Length: 98 m
Beam: 10.2 m
Draft: 2.59 m
Range: 4,800 nautical miles (8,890 km) at 19 knots (35 km/h)
Speed: 36 knots
Engine: 3 Admiralty 3-Drum Type Boilers, 2 Parsons Geared Turbines, 34,000 HP
Complement: 145
Armament: (original) 4×5 in, 4×37 mm A/A, 2×4 21 in T/T
(after 1941 refit) 4×5 in, 1×4 21 in T/T, 1×3 in A/A, 6×20 mm A/A, A/S device added

For gamers and game designersAs the most modern and most successful Greek ship in World War 2, Vasilissa Olga has a special place in Hellenic Navy wargaming. Notice that after the 1941 refit, four torpedo tubes were removed, but she was improved considerably in terms of Anti-aircraft and Anti-submarine capabilities.

For modellers

The ship's camo differed a lot before and during the war, depending on the season and the area where it operated. It is very difficult to find reliable details. There are two scale models of the ship in the Hellenic Maritime Museum. Vasilissa Olga has also appeared in 1/1800 in the Axis & Allies Naval Miniatures game. The model below is from IPMS Hellas 2007:

One more below by D. Georgiadis:


And a profile from unknown source: