(1937-1941) PZL P.24

In the history of the Greek air force, no aircraft type saw as much combat as the Polish-built PZL P.24. According to a Polish researcher, Greek Ρ.24s shot down 40 enemy aircraft (36 Italian and 4 German). According to other researchers, the Greek fighter aircraft (primarily P.24s) scored about 22 confirmed and 12 probable victories for a loss of 19 of their own. While this is the highest number in the history of the Greek air force, it is not comparable to the successes of more experienced nations. For example, during only two months in the winter of 1940-41, the RAF pilots in Greece flying the comparable Gloster Gladiator shot down 42 Italian aircraft for the loss of 16 of their own.

Operational History
September 1936 - The Greeks order 36 PZL P.24 fighters from Poland. The photo on the right shows Polish test pilot B. Orlindski in front of the third prototype P.24/III at a demonstration of the type to the Greek airforce in Tatoi.
May 1937 - The fighters arrive in Greece, with some delay attributed to the Skoda LK 32 machine guns. They are 30 PZL P.24F and 6 PZL P.24G.
October 1940 - At the time of the Italian invasion, together with a few Bloch MB.151, these are the only Greek frontline fighter aircraft. Depending on the source, out of the original 36 PZL aircraft only 24-30 are operational.

Fighter Squadrons (Lt.Col. Emanuil Kelaidis) at the beginning of the war:

21 Mira with 10 PZL P.24 (under Capt. Ioan. Kellas from 28 Oct. 1940 to 27 April 1941) at Kalambaka. 9 officers and 5 NCOs Pilots: Kellas Ioan., Sakellariou Ioan., Katsaros Ioan., Kyriazis Ioan., Papadopoulos, Papaioannou Ant. and others 22 Mira with 9 PZL P.24 (under Capt. A. Antoniou from 28 Oct. 1940 to 27 April 1941) at Salonika/Sedes. 6 officers and 6 NCOs. By the end of the war, 22 Mira will have taken part in 90 patrol missions (353 sorties), 30 escort missions (113 sorties), one naval convoy escort mission (3 sorties), two strafing missions (6 sorties), one army escort mission (8 sorties), and 30 aircraft transport missions (104 sorties). 22 Mira will have claimed 13 victories, 6 probable and 20 heavily damaged enemy aircraft. Pilots: Antoniou Andr., Doukas Geor., Fanourgakis Grig., Giannikostas Kon., Mitraleksis Mar., Toregas Athan., Katsimpouris Ant., Kotronis Korn., Michalitsanos Alex., Kontogiorgos Vas., Daggoulas Epam., Filis Dim., Lampropoulos Kon., Katsarelis Leon., Argyropoulos Panag., Michopoulos Ioan. 23 Mira with 11 PZL P.24 (under Maj. Gr. Theodoropoulos from 28 Oct. 1940 to 27 April 1941) at Larissa. By the end of the war, the squadron will be down to only three aircraft. By the end of the war, 23 Mira will have taken part in 88 missions (353 sorties) with a claimed 30 victories and 11 probable or heavily damaged enemy aircraft. Pilots: Theodoropoulos Gr.. Apladas Andr., Bousios Patr., Kotronis Korn., Tsitsas Kon., Kavounis Char., Validas Theod., Kougioumtzoglou Ioan., Sioris Kon., Nomikos Geor., Michopoulos Ioan., Mokkas Geor., Valkanas Grig., Depountis Spyr., Papaioannou (from 1 Dec. 1940). 24 Mira with 6-8 Bloch MB.151 (under Savelos from 28 Oct. 1940 to 15 Jan. 1941, and Capt. A. Anagnostopoulos from 16 Jan. 1941 to 27 April 1941) at Eleusis. 10 officers and NCOs

28 October 1940 - SM-79 bombers escorted by CR-42 fighters attack Thessalonica. P.24s intercept and force them to disperse before they cause any damage. One P.24 is shot down, presumably by the CR.42 escorts.
2 November 1940 - 3 PZL-24s of 21 Mira attack a formation of (probably) Cant Z-1007 bis bombers and presumably fighter escorts over the Epirus front. F/Lt Sakellariou & Sgt Papadopoulos are shot down and killed in action. The third PZL manages to escape.
The same day a formation of Cant Z-1007 bis bombers tries to bomb Thessalonica. Six PZLs of 22 Mira and antiaircraft guns engage the enemy bombers. F/Lt Marinos Mitraleksis (P.24, Δ130), after using up all his ammunition unsuccessfully against an enemy bomber (Cant Z-1007 bis, MΜ 22381), he rams it and saws off its rudder with his propeller’s blades. The bomber plummets to the earth out of control, while Mitraleksis successfully crash-lands his P.24. He will be decorated with the Golden Order for Valour and later on with the Flying Cross, War Cross, Golden Cross of St. George’s Order with Swords and the Phoenix Order with Swords.
A diorama at the National War Museum in Athens commemorates this achievement:


During the same action Sgt Epameinondas Dagoulas claims one more bomber. The evening of the same day, another formation of 15 enemy bombers and 7 fighters, raids the city of Thessalonica again. Antoniou (leader of 22 Mira) shoots down one enemy fighter. One P.24 is shot down, but the pilots, Sgt Konstantinos Lambropoulos, bails out safely.
3 November 1940 - Five fighters of 22 Mira intercept a formation of 9 Italian bombers and fighters heading towards Thessalonika. F/Lt Konstantinos Giannikostas claims one enemy fighter.
14 November 1940 - Nine fighters of 23 Mira shoot down two CR-42s and damage a third, which will be later destroyed during crash-landing.
18 November 1940 - 22 and 23 Mira engage Italian fighters over Morova. Having spent all his ammunition, Valkanas (23 Mira) intentionally rams an enemy bomber. Both Valkanas and the enemy crew are killed. Sgt. Dimitrakopoulos is shot down but bails out safely.
20 November 1940 - Four PZLs of 21 Mira engage three CR.42s and a bomber, probably a Cant Z.1007bis, over Lake Mikri Prespa. The bomber is shot down by Ioannis Kellas. A few hours later, 21 Mira will have all its PZL P.24 fighters replaced by British Gloster Gladiator biplanes.
3 December 1940 - Six PZLs of 23 Mira engage 18 CR.42s over Moschopolis. Konstantinos Tsetsas is shot down.
January 1941 - The Greeks now have only 19 P.24, 2 MB.151 and 7 Gladiators. Influenced by the British allies, the strategy to be pursued is the control over an area through continuous patrolling.
8 January 1941 - 9 PZLs (22 Mira) and 6 Gladiators (21 Mira) attack a formation of Cant Z1007bis bombers over Ostrovo. Cptn Gregorios Fanourgakes of 22 Mira claims one probable victory. The same Greek formation later engages 9 CR.42 fighters and one Ro.37 reconnaissance biplane over Celoure, where Captains Antoniou and Nikolaos Scroubelos claim one victory each.
25 January 1941 - After two weeks of bad weather, PZLs engage enemy aircraft near Thessaloniki, with Antoniou shooting down one Cant Z.1007 bomber. Around noon, 7 PZLs (22 Mira) and 7 Gladiators (21 Mira) attack 8 BR-20 bombers from the 116a Gruppo, 37o Stormo B.T over Premeti-Kleisoura. Antoniou claims a second kill. Staff Sgt Panagiotis Argyropoulos of 22 Mira and Cptn. Kellas claim one each. Two more BR-20 bombers are shot down by another PZL and another Gladiator.
28 January 1941 - PZLs from 22 Mira attack an enemy bomber formation heading to Thessalonika. Cptn Savellos shoots down one Cant Z1007.
8 February 1941 - During a reconnaissance operation over Kleisoura, 7 Gladiators (21 Mira) and 8 PZLs (22 and 23 Mira) engage a lone two-engine Italian bomber, which spectacularly manages to escape.
9 February 1941 - One Cant bomber is downed by Staff Sgt Eleftherios Smyrniotopoulos (24 Mira, Bloch MB. 151). At the same time, a large dogfight takes place over Kleisoura between 8 PZLs (22 and 23 Mira) and 4 Gladiators (21 Mira) with 12 Italian fighters escorting 30 bombers. F/Lt Mitraleksis claims one probable CR.42 victory (trailing black smoke). Cptn Kellas shoots down two fighters. Stf. Sgt Demetrakopoulos (21 Mira) claims one more. Two other pilots (21 Mira) claim one probable fighter each. Dagoulas (22 Mira) shoots down one enemy aircraft. The Greeks lose two aircraft, badly damaged while crash-landing at their bases.
10 February 1941 - A patrol of 11 fighters (Mira 21, 22 and 23) engage three Italian bombers over the Boubesi-Kleisoura-Premeti region. Cptn Fanourgakis claims one victory.
11 February 1941 - Two Gladiators (21 Mira) on patrol are ambushed and shot down by Italian fighters. The pilots, Cptn Anastasios Bardivilias and Stf Sgt Kostorizos are killed.
15 February 1941 - Cptn Fanourgakis claims one bomber (out of a formation of three) over Tepeleni.
20 February 1941 - 19 Greek fighters (probably the whole of the surviving fighter force of Greece) escort bombers over Sendeli. They are engaged by 10 Ro.37 and 15 G.50 aircraft. In the battle, 7 PZLs (22 Mira) lose contact due to radio malfuntion and are forced to engage the enemy on their own. Four Italian fighters are shot down by Antoniou, Fanourgakes, F/Lt Michaletsianos and Dagoulas. Antoniou manages to crash land his P.24 safely at Premeti despite heavy damage.
23 February 1941 - A formation of three Gladiators of 21 Mira, five P.24 of 22 Mira and nine P.24 of 23 Mira, engage seven Italian fighters. F/Lt Scroubelos and Staff Sgt Chrissopoulos are killed, the latter on crash-landing his Gladiator.
27 February 1941 - From this day and on, all fighter squadrons are withdrawn from operations at the front due to the small number of available aircraft and the arrival of the next generation of Italian fighters (Macchi and Romeo).
2 April 1941 - 8 Gladiators (21 Mira) pursue 10 Cant Z.1007 bombers over Florina and shoot down two of them.
6 April 1941 - On the day of the German invasion, a German reconnaissance Hs.126 aircraft is shot down, shared between Cptn Antoniou and F/Lt Antonio Katsimpouris. A second Hs.126 is shot down, shared among Cptn Doukas, F/Lt Kontogeorgios and Katsimpouris. A Dornier 17 bomber is shot down by F/Lt Oikonomopoulos.
15 April 1941 - One Hs.126 is shot down by Staff Sgt Pericles Koutroubas (23 Mira), who will be killed in action later the same day. What remains of the Greek fighter engage a large formation of German bombers and fighters near Trikala. Three Greek aircraft are shot down: one Gladiator (21 Mira, Kellas wounded), one PZL (22 Mira, Katsarelis wounded) and one Bloch (24 Mira, Mokkas killed). 11 of the remaining PZLs will be destroyed on the ground by German raids.
April 1941 - Any surviving P.24 aircraft are captured by the Germans and used by themselves or the Italians for liaison and training, before being scrapped.


Specifications
PZL P.24 F/G fighter
Crew: 1
Length: 7.81 m
Wingspan: 10.68 m
Height: 2.69 m
Wing area: 17.9 m²
Weight: empty 1,329 kg, max loaded 1,915 kg
Powerplant: 700 kW Gnome Rhone 14N-07 (950 hp)
Max. Speed: 430 km/h at 4,250 m
Ceiling: 10,500 m
Range: 700 km
Rate of Climb: 11.5 m/s
Power/mass ratio: 0.376 kW/kg (0.23 hp/lb)
Armament: (P.24F) 2x 7.9mm MG, 2x 20m Oerlikon FF cannon and 2x50kg bombs (2 x 50 kg) under wings, or (P.24G) 4x 7.9mm MG and 2x50kg bombs (2 x 50 kg) under wings.
During the war, most were equipped with a total of 4x MG due to 20mm cannon ammunition shortages. The machine guns were Ceske Zbrojovice, Czech copies of the British Vickers MG.
Other Equipment: German (Telefunken) radio and American (Gaertner) oxygen supply system.


For Gamers and Game designers
Its original speed was about 420 km/h, but due to modifications, such as engine, camouflage and armament, this quickly dropped to 400 km/h, and to 380 km/h after two months of intensive use in Greek service. The type's two main weaknesses, as noted by the Greeks, were the bad cockpit visibility and the duration of flight, which was limited to 1 hour and 45 minutes. In practice, they would be able to patrol for 30-35 minutes over the front. Also, a pilot of average quality would need at least 600m of runway to land, which was difficult to find in Northern Epirus.
The P.24 had only slightly inferior performance in comparison to the Italian CR.42, but was completely outclassed by newer Italian and German fighter aircraft, such as Macchis and Messerschmitt BF109s.
For Modellers
The 36 Greek P.24 fighters carried the codes D.101 to D.136. Due to the lack of dependable sources, their paintschemes have been widely debated over the years. Before Oct. 1940 they are thought to have had aluminium colour with black codes, and light blue national markings on fuselage, under the wings and on the rudder. After Oct. 1940, the wheel cowls are thought to have been removed, as well as the national markings (which are now a bit darker) from the rudder. A few of the aircraft now carry white rather than black codes.
According to D. Georgiadis, it is also possible that some aircraft wore a four-colour camo (Dark Brown, Dark Green, Sand, Sky Blue) right before or right after the 28th of October 1940.

The following is a list of individual aircraft with profiles, models and photos, where available:

Δ102 (P.24G)
A profile by Wojtek Rynkowski (1941, 23 Mira, probably flown by G. Laskaris), an illustration from unknown (probably Polish) source (April 1941, 23 Mira), a model by Tom Cleaver, and a profile by D. Georgiadis, which accurately shows the red spider on the fuselage:



Δ103
The camouflage introduced in late 1940. Upper surfaces were green and brown, and under surfaces were light blue. There are no national insignia under the wings.


Δ104
14 Nov. 1940 - Flown by Kavounis Char., it overturns during landing. Damages are repairable.

Δ106 (P.24F)
14 Nov. 1940 - Δ115 collides with Δ106 during landing (Δ115 flown by Daggoulas). Damages repairable.

A profile by Wojtek Rynkowski (14 November 1940, 22 Mira) and a model by Will Hendriks (1:48):


Δ107 (P.24F)
An Autumn 1940 (21 Mira) profile from unknown source:


Δ109 (P.24G)
A 1941 profile in the Azur 1/72 kit.



Δ112
From left to right, a profile by Wojtek Rynkowski (1941, 22 Mira), a 1:33 paper model by Marek Pacynski (Spring 1941, 22 Mira), the box cover for the 1:48 Mirage Hobby kit, an illustration from an unknown Polish source (March 1941), and a model by E. Papadimitriou:



Δ113 (P.24G)
A profile by Wojtek Rynkowski (1940):


Δ114


Δ115 (P.24G)
14 Nov. 1940 - Flown by Dagoulas, Δ115 collides with Δ106 during landing. Damages are repairable.

A profile by Wojtek Rynkowski (14 November 1940, E. Dagoulas), a model by Steffen Arndt (IPMS Deutschland), and a model by D. Koukourdinos (pre-war, 1940):


Δ116 (P.24G)
A superb 1/48 model by Gabriel Kalfopoulos, a profile by Wojtek Rynkowski (Dekeleia 1938), and a model from the National War Museum, Athens (presumably after October 1940):


Δ118
20 Feb. 1941 - Flown by Sioris, its engine breaks down and it is forced to land near Konitsa.

Δ120 (P.24G)
A profile by Wojtek Rynkowski (1940, 22 Mira) and a profile by Ioannis Mansolas:


Δ122
4 Jan. 1941 - Flown by Sioris, it overturns during landing at Korytsa airfield.

Δ124
18 Nov. 1940 - Flown by Stasinopoulos, it crashes on another aircraft on ground. Damages are repairable.
2 Mar. 1941 - Flown by Kotronis, it lands outside the airstrip.

Δ125
14 Nov. 1940 - Flown by Kotronis Korn., it is heavily damaged in a dogfight and lands at Florina airfield. The aircraft is later repaired.

Δ126 (P.24F)
A profile by D. Georgiadis (pre-war, 1940):



Δ127
18 Nov. 1940 - Flown by Michalitsianos, it overturns within the airfield.

A profile by Michail Solanakis and a model from unknown source:


Δ129 (P.24F)
A profile by Wojtek Rynkowski (November 1940, 22 Mira), a profile by Sankowski (autumn 1940, 22 Mira, Salonika-Sedes), the box cover for the 1:48 Mirage Hobby kit, and a model by D. Koukourdinos (pre-war, 1940):


Δ130
2 Nov. 1940 - Flying the Δ130, Mitraleksis rams and downs a Cant Z-1007bis bomber by sawing off its rudder with his propeller’s blades, before successfully crash-landing.

Δ133
14 Nov. 1940 - Flown by Skroumpelos Nik., it collides on ground with another aircraft. Damages are minor and repairable.

Δ135
28 Oct. 1940 - Flown by Kougioumtzoglou Ioan., it crash-lands due to engine break down during take-off. The pilot suffers leg injuries and is taken to the hospital. The aircraft is damaged.
18 Nov. 1940 - Flown by Apladas Andr., it overturns within the airfield. Damages are repairable.

Δ136
Before the war starts, pilot Schinas is killed in an accident flying Δ136. The aircraft is destroyed.


Additional photos of unidentified aircraft

(1931-1941) Potez Po 25 A2

In 1931, in the Greek Air Force's warehouses, there were a number of 500hp Hispano-Suiza engines originally intended to be installed in Bre XIX aircraft. Due to cost considerations, they were installed instead in 24 Potez Po 25 A2 aircraft purchased from France.
These two-seater army cooperation aircraft were given the designation "Greek aircraft" ("Greq Avion") by the manufacturer. As the Po25 had been designed for a different type of engine, in order for these Hispano-Suiza to be installed, a 25kg ballast was added on the tail. According to critics, this caused several accidents.

Operational History
1931 - 24 Potez 25 aircraft are purchased from France.
October 1940 - At the time of the Italian invasion, the Greeks have 17 Potez 25, based at Sedes near Thessaloniki, as the 4th Mira of Army Support. At the same time, the Greeks also have 22 Breguet XIX A2 (only 9 being operational) and 16 Hs 126A-1 for army support. It sees limited action.
April 1941 - All Potez aircraft must have been either destroyed or captured by the Germans.

Specifications
Potez Po 25 A2 Greek
Length: 9.10 m
Height: 3.67 m
Wingspan: Upper wing 14,14 m - Lower wing 10 m
Wing Area: 34.30 sq. m
Weight: (take off) 1,945 kg, (empty) 1,230 kg kg
Engine: 1 x Hispano Suiza 12GB (500 hp)
Speed: 230 km/h
Ceiling: 7,300 m
Range: 500 km
Crew: 2

For Gamers and Game designers
An unremarkable army cooperation/observation aircraft that played little role at the early stages of World War II.

(1923-1938) Gloster Mars

In 1922, to address the serious lack of available interceptor planes during the Asia Minor campaign, a number of Gloster Mars interceptors were ordered from Great Britain. They were delivered shortly after the end of the war and by April 1923 they had already equipped the 5th Fighter Squadron, which was especially created for them.
They were distributed between the Army (Tatoi/Dekeleia) and the Navy (Faliro). The Gloster Mars remained in active service as the only Greek interceptor until 1934, from when on it was used for advanced training by the Air Force Academy in Tatoi.

Operational History
1922 - First batch ordered from Great Britain.
January 1923 - First aircraft arrive in Greece.
April 1923 - They equip the newly formed 5th Fighter Squadron and are used as interceptors. They will remain as the only interceptors in Greek service until 1935.
1925-26 - Venizelos orders 25 aircraft of the VI type as part of a large airforce reorganisation programme. Only 13 will arrive.
1934 - Withdrawn from the interceptor role and are now used as advanced trainers for the next four years.

Specifications
Gloster "Mars" VI Nighthawk
Length: 5.50 m
Height: 2.74 m
Wingspan: 8.54 m
Wing Area: 26 sq. m
Weight: (max) 1,006 kg, (empty) 824 kg
Engine: 1 Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar II (325 hp)
Speed: 241 km/h
Armament: 2 x 7.7mm Vickers MG
Crew: 1

For Gamers and Game designers
The first Greek pilots trying the Gloster Mars aircraft claimed that if they had been received a year earlier, the result of the Asia Minor Campaign would have been different. It is an exaggerated claim, of course, but it illustrates how well-liked they were by the pilots. It is not surprising that the Greeks used them as their sole interceptors for over ten years.
For Modellers
The Gloster Mars aircraft took the serial numbers 1-13.

D84
A Kit from Blue Rider


D94


Additional photos

(1936-1940s) Stokes-Brandt 81mm mortar

Following the disaster of the Asia Minor campaign, the Greek army was in disarray, lacking direction and equipment. In 1930, the purchase of mortars was limited to only ten 81mm mortars with 25 shells each. When Metaxas took over in 1936, he launched a large rearmament programme, which included 315 Stokes-Brandt 81mm mortars from France. The well-trained Greek mortarmen made good use of them during the Greco-Italian war.

Operational History

1930 - Greece purchases 10 81mm mortars. The type is unclear.
1936 or later - During Metaxas's premiership, Greece requests a large number of 81mm Stokes-Brandt mortars from France. With their factories fully occupied with their own critical needs for equipment, the French agree on a smaller order of 315 mortars.
28 Oct. 1940 - When Italy invades, Greece has 325 81mm mortars, 6 in every infantry regiment and 4 in every cavalry regiment.
post-war - Realistically, any remaining Stokes-Brandt mortars must have been captured by the Germans in 1941. However, Greece continues using for decades the M1 81mm mortar, which is the U.S. version of the same mortar.

Specifications
81mm Stokes-Brandt mortar M.1927/31
Weight: 56 kg
Barrel Length: 1.26 m
Crew: 3
Caliber: 81mm
Rate of Fire: 18 rounds per minute
Effective Range: 1,000 - 1,900m

For gamers and game designers
General Prasca, who led the initial offensive in the Greco-Italian war, was impressed by the efficiency of the Greek mortars and expressed the opinion that they were using special ammunition. Of course, this was not true.

For modellers

(1930-1942) Y-6 Glafkos

Being one of four Loire-Simonot type submarines in the Greek Navy, Glafkos was a sister of Y-3 Proteus and similar to the earlier Katsonis class. Glafkos was undergoing major repairs and did not participate in any patrols during the Greco-Italian war. She escaped to Alexandria and carried two war patrols under Cdr. Arslanoglou. In 1942, she was sunk by German bombers while stationed for repairs in the port of Malta.

Operational History

1928 - Launched. It is the only submarine of the class that is built in the Chantiers Navals Francais (Blainville, France). The other three were built in the Chantiers de la Loire.

17 Nov. 1930 - Commissioned.
1 Dec. 1930 - Received by A. Zangas and G. Labrinopoulos
1935 - Damaged during the political upheavals of 1935. It is possibly because of these damages that Glafkos is undergoing repairs and is out of action during the Greco-Italian war.
1940 - The new commander of Glafkos is Vaker.
1941 - The new commander of Glafkos is D. Zeppos.
19-23 Apr. 1941 - Glafkos escapes to Alexandria. New commander is V. Arslanoglou.
12 Jul. 1941 - Begins first wartime patrol in the Dodecannese.
21 Jul. 1941 - Sinks the Italian sailing vessel San Nicola (21 GRT) with gunfire 4 miles NW of Rhodes.
22 Jul. 1941 - Sinks a sailing vessel with gunfire off Castelorizzo.
27 Jul. 1941 - Returns from first patrol after a total of 216 hours submerged and 138 hours surfaced.
5 Nov. 1941 - Begins second wartime patrol north of Crete.
10 Nov. 1941 - On the way to Malta for engine repairs, Glafkos torpedoes and damages the German merchant Norburg (2392 GRT) off Suda Bay, Crete.
19 Nov. 1941 - Due to urgent need for repair, Glafkos arrives in Malta ending the second patrol after a total of 158 hours submerged and 169 hours surfaced.
1 Dec. 1941 - One of Glafkos's crew, Vasilios Merlin, loses his life while in training with British submarine HMS Perseus which sinks off Otranto.
27 Feb. 1942 - V. Arslanoglou and Ioannis Kostakos are the two casualties of a German bombing of the harbour of La Valetta, where Glafkos undergoes repairs. A. Daniolos takes command of the submarine.
4 Apr. 1942 - Sinks by German bombers in the Harbour of La Valetta. No casualties. The crew is transfered to Alexandria aboard Y-3 Proteus.

Specifications
Y-6 Glafkos submarine of the Proteus class
Cost: £119,000 each submarine of the class
Displacement: Surfaced 750 tons, Submerged 960 tons
Length: 68.6 m
Beam: 5.73 m
Draft: 4.18 m
Propulsion: 2-shaft Sulzer diesels plus 2 electric motors, 1420bhp/1200shp
Complement: 41
Max. Dive: 80 m
Speed: (Surf.) 14 knots, (Subm.) 9.5 knots
Range: (Surf.) 4,000 nm @ 10 knots, (Subm.) 100 nm @ 5 knots
Fuel: 105 tons of oil
Armament: 100mm gun at the forward end of the conning tower, at casing level (150 shells) and one 40mm. No external tubes. 8x 533mm torpedo tubes (6 bow, 2 stern; 8 torpedoes)

For gamers and game designers
With only two wartime patrols, Glafkos was the least active of the four Proteus-class submarines. In 1941, it was obsolete by the standards of the major powers, but still dangerous with the 8 torpedo tubes.

For modellers

(1917-1931) Breguet XIV

French built biplane bomber and reconnaissance aircraft that entered French and Greek service in 1917. It equipped the 532 and 533 Squadrons operating in the Macedonian front. It remained in service throughout the 1920s before becoming a trainer for observers in 1931.

Operational History

November 1917 - The Breguet XIV enters Greek service, equipping the 532 and 533 Squadrons which operate in the Macedonian front.
22 Dec. 1918 - Commander Denain lends his personal plane to A. Moraitinis, the leader of the Greek Navy Air Service, to fly from Thessaloniki to Phaliron. The plane never arrives to its destination. A month later Moraitinis is declared dead.
21 Sep. 1921 - A Breguet XIV A2 is captured by the Turks and will serve from now on with them. It takes the name "Sakarya".
17 Apr. 1922 - On the third attempt to land, a Greek Bre XIV crashes and burns at Afion Kara Hissar, with one of two crew dead.
22 Aug. 1922 - A second Breguet XIV A2 is forced to land due to enemy fire and is captured by the Turks. It will serve from now on with them and it takes the name "Garipçe". These are the first two Breguets XIV A2 in Turkish service. After the foundation of the Turkish Republic another 16 will be bought from the French and will serve Turkey until 1926.
October 1931 - From now on, 7 Bre XIV aircraft are used for the training of observers.

Specifications
Breguet XIV A2 Reconnaissance Length: 8.87 m Height: 3.3 m Wing area: 47.5 m² Wingspan: 12.4 m Weight: 1,010 kg (empty), 1,536 kg (max takeoff) Engine: 1x Renault 12Fe, 224 kW (300 hp) Service Ceiling: 6,000 m Speed: 184 km/h Armament: 1 fixed 0.303-in (7.7-mm) Vickers machine gun on fuselage port side, 2 ring-mounted 0.303-in (7.7-mm) Lewis machine guns in observer’s cockpit, 40 Kg bomb payload. Range: 3 hours Crew: 2

Specifications
Breguet XIV B2 Bomber Length: 8.87 m Height: 3.3 m Wing area: 47.50 m² Wingspan: 14.36 m Weight: 1,010 kg Engine: 1x Renault 12Fe, 224 kW (300 hp) Service Ceiling: 6,000 m Rate of climb: 292 m/s Wing loading: 32 kg/m² Power/mass: 0.14 W/kg (0.09 hp/lb) Speed: 175 km/h Range: 900 km Armament: 1x fixed 7.7 mm (.303 in) Vickers machine gun, 2x flexible 7.7 mm (.303 in) Lewis Gun for observer, 300 Kg bomb payload. Crew: 2

For Gamers and Game designers
Apart from its widespread usage, it was noteworthy for becoming the first aircraft in mass production to use large amounts of metal rather than wood in its structure. This allowed the airframe to be lighter than a wooden airframe of the same strength, in turn making the aircraft very fast and agile for its size, able to outrun many of the fighters of the day. Its strong construction was able to sustain much damage, it was easy to handle and had good performance. The Breguet 14 is considered one of the best aircraft of World War I.

For Modellers
A profile of the No3846 Breguet XIV A2 that fought in Asia Minor in 1921, taken from Issue No. 15 of Insignia Magazine: The text is from the Insignia Magazine: "This aircraft was one of at least 30 Breguet 14 A2 and B2 types which served with the joint French-Hellenic 522 and 523 Reconnaissance-Bomber Squadrons. Finished in a Green and Brown camouflage scheme, with Natural Metal forward and upper fuselage areas. Lower flying surfaces are Clear Doped Linen. Struts, undercarriage legs and wheel covers are Light Grey. Greek roundels in Blue and White, adapted from French roundels, are worn on the upper and lower wings as well as the fuselage. The Asia-Minor 'wavy line' theatre marking in Dark Grey/Black partially obscures the fuselage roundel. Serial number and rudder data are Black."

A model exhibited in the National War Museum, Athens.


A Breguet XIV A2 from AZ Models (seems to be No3844):

A 1:33 paper model by Fitter's Models:

A Microsoft Flight Simulator model by Manuele Villa:

(1919-1941) Torpedo Boat "Proussa"

Formerly the Austrohungarian Fiume-class torpedo boat SMS Tb 94 F., Proussa, together with her two sister ships "Panormos" and "Pergamos", was transferred to Greece in 1919 as war reparation from the Central Powers. Little is known about Proussa in Greek service other than that she was sunk in Corfu during the 4 April 1941 Italian bombing of the port. She stayed half-sunk for quite a while. Later, when the Italians were in control of the island, they wrote "V" (for "Vinceremo" - we will win) on one of the funnels. According to one version of the story, the Italians tried to raise the ship, but she sank while being towed.

Operational History
In Austro-Hungarian Service
30 Nov. 1914 - Laid down at the Ganz & Co.- Danubius shipyard.
1915 - Commissioned. Serves the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the end of World War I.

In Greek Service
1919 - Transfered to Greece as war reparations.
3 April 1941 - Sails from Patra during the evening. Captain: N. Kotsilyris.
4 April 1941 - Arrives early morning at Agioi Saranta for Rear Admiral D. Economou to inspect the naval command there. For a few hours, she stays by the coast to avoid detection by enemy aircraft. Around noon, she sails towards Corfu where she arrives at 14:10 for D. Economou to inspect the naval command there and find out how the minesweepers Strymon and Aliakmon were damaged a few days earlier. Proussa stays 100 m from the dock (between Kafe Gyali and Vido). The Rear Admiral disembarks, but before his boat reaches land, Proussa is attacked by nine (or 6 according to some sources) Italian Ju-87 Pichiatelli belonging to the 239th Sqn, 97th Dive-bombing group (Captain Mario Larket) from Galatina, near Lecce. Evasion manoeuvres are attempted, but the ship's engines are damaged by the near misses of the Pichiatelli that were dive bombing. The AA gun managed to fire only 7 rounds. The Pichiatelli dropped five 500kg bombs at distances of 5 to 100m from the
ship. After the attack finishes, the Greeks pull the ship with ropes to the dock. The fire service, the auxiliary "Evangelistria" and several civilians try to save the ship until 11 o'clock, but unsuccessfully. Proussa settles at a depth of 4 m at the Kafe Gyali dock.
During the attack, the crew is said to have managed to disarm the torpedoes on Proussa to reduce the chance of catastrophic damage from a bomb hit. 8 crew are wounded, but nobody is killed.
This is one of three attacks carried out by this air group against Greek naval vessels this day, including the 932-ton cargo ship "Souzana" that was skip-bombed and sunk during the morning.

Specifications
Fiume class Torpedo Boat "Proussa"
Displacement: 243 tons (standard)
Propulsion: 2 Yarrow water-tube boilers, 2 AEG-Curtis steam turbines, 2 shafts. 5,000 / 6,000 shp
Length: 57.76 m
Width: 5.8 m
Draft: 1.5 m
Speed: 31 knots (initially), 32 knots (after 1925) [other sources have it at 28 knots]
Armament: 2x Skoda 70 mm / 30-cal guns, 1x 8 mm AA machine gun (added in 1914), 3x or 4x 450 mm torpedo tubes (2x2).
Crew: 41

For Gamers and Game designers
While in 1919 she was a relatively modern torpedo boat, by World War II, Proussa was completely outclassed by her Italian counterparts. However, she was not slow and if undetected she could still use her torpedoes.

For Modellers
A profile of the Fiume class torpedo boats from an unknown source:

(1881-1919) Steam Gunboat "Aktion"

Built specifically for the shallow waters of the Amvrakikos Gulf, Aktion and her sister "Amvrakia" saw action in the gulf during the 1897 and Balkan Wars. Aktion was called Spetses until 1889 when the Greeks decided to use the name for the newer Battleship they had ordered.

Operational History
1881 - Built by Blackwall Dockyards in the UK and named "Spetses".
1889 - Renamed "Aktion".
1897 - Commanded by Lt Cdr E. Tombazis, she sees action against the Turks.
1912-1913 - Commanded by Lt Cdr E. Lambadarios, she sees action against the Turks.
World War I - Used for the service of the Piraeus and Keratsini net barrage.
1919 - Decommissioned after the end of World War I.

Specifications
Steam Gunboat "Aktion"
Displacement: 433 tons
Propulsion: 380hp steam engine
Length: 39m
Width: 7.6m
Draft: 2.9m
Speed: 11 knots
Armament: (initially) 1x270mm/30cal Krupp gun, (later) 1x 6inch gun and a small quick-firing gun.

For Gamers and Game designers
A gunboat that was designed for shallow waters. Despite its massive size, her initial 270mm gun was of little use against distant targets, as one needed to turn the whole ship to aim the gun.

For Modellers
A model of Amvrakia, Aktion's sistership, at the Hellenic Maritime Museum, Piraeus:


A model of Amvrakia, Aktion's sistership, by TonyH of www.shipmodels.info:

(1950-1971) Destroyer Doxa D-20

Ex-USS Ludlow (DD-438) and one of two similar destroyers offered by the United States, Doxa was accepted in 1950 by Cdr N.Ritsos HN and arrived in Greece in the summer of 1951. She remained in commission without interruption until 1971, when she was put on reserve. The ship's history in US service is quite rich, as she received six battle stars for her World War II service, but less interesting post-war and after she joined the Greek Navy.

Operational History
In US service as USS Ludlow (DD-438):
18 Dec. 1939 - Laid down.
11 Nov. 1940 - Launched.
5 March 1941 - Commissioned.
Oct. 1941 - Having completed shakedown, Ludlow leaves Boston for Newfoundland and Iceland, convoying supplies ultimately destined for the British Isles.
7 Dec. 1941 - Following the attack on Pearl Harbor and the declaration of war between Germany and the United States, Ludlow's convoy runs are lengthened to include the ports of Derry, Liverpool, Greenoch, and Freetown, South Africa.
7 Nov. 1942 - Assigned to Task Force 34 for the invasion of North Africa, Ludlow arrives off Cape Fedhala, French Morocco. Shortly after the first wave of landing craft headed tor shore, Ludlow finds herself engaging shore batteries, bombers, and a Vichy French naval force comprising a cruiser and two destroyers in the Naval Battle of Casablanca. A 6 inch shell strikes her forward and straddling shots are falling close aboard when Augusta and Brooklyn arrive and help to dispose of the French ships.
Jan. 1943 - Returns to New York to repair battle damage and then conducts training off the coast of Maine.
14 Jan. 1943 - Departs for the first of three convoy runs to Casablanca.
June 1943 - After the third convoy, Ludlow remains in the Mediterranean Sea for the forthcoming invasion of Sicily.
10 July 1943 - Ludlow provides fire support for the invading forces off Licata and Porsa Empedocle.
11 Aug. 1943 - Following daily enemy air attacks, Ludlow downs her first enemy airplane.
9 Sep. 1943 - Participating in the invasion of Italy, Ludlow leads a section of the assault wave through a known minefield to the bloody landing at Salerno. She and her sister ships are warmly commended by the commanding general ashore for their effective close range fire support.
Late 1943 until 11 Jan. 1944 - On convoy duty between Naples and Oran.
22 Jan. 1944 - She covers Allied troops storming ashore at Anzio. In the following days, Ludlow splashes two bombers, one fighter and three rocket glider bombs. A 5 inch shell crashes through the torpedo director deck and the pilothouse, causing Ludlow to retire, but serious damage is averted when Chief Gunners Mate James D. Johnson locate the hot, unexploded shell and manage to get it topside and overboard.
Early 1944 - Repaired at New York. Trained along the Atlantic coast.
20 Apr. 1944 - Returned to the Mediterranean for antisubmarine patrols.
19 May 1944 - Ludlow and Niblack depth charge U-960 to the surface, where Ludlow's main battery sinks her.
11 Aug. 1944 - Following convoy alignments in the western Mediterranean, Ludlow steams from Palermo for the invasion of southern France. 25-30 Aug. 1944 - Following preinvasion bombardment and beachhead screening off Frejus, she joins Augusta (CA-31) to help overcome the last resistance at Marseilles. While on coastal fire support missions around Monaco, she encounters not only floating mines and E-boats, but also attacks by explosive-laden boats and human torpedoes.
5 Sep. 1944 - Ludlow captures three operators of these one-man diving machines after a series of depth charge attacks. Fire support, convoy and patrol duty continue.
23 Jan. 1945 - Ludlow sails for a month's plane guard duty off the west coast of Africa.
28 Feb. 1945 - Returns to Boston.
Apr. 1945 - Ludlow sails to England to escort a convoy of LSTs stateside and then prepares for duty in the Pacific.
27 June 1945 - Crosses the Panama Canal
17 July 1945 - Reaches Pearl Harbor and begins training for operations with the fast carriers. The surrender of Japan, however diverts her to the job of escorting ships filled with occupation troops to the home islands of the defeated Empire.
7 Sep. 1945 - Departs Pearl Harbor
27 Sep. 1945 - Arrives at Wakayama, Japan, and operates in the Far East.
3 Nov. 1945 - Sails for the Aleutians where she sees a brief period of "Magic Carpet" duty. That is the the post-World War II effort by the War Shipping Administration to repatriate the American military personnel.
20 May 1946 - Out of commission in reserve at Charleston, South Carolina. Utilised for reserve training.
6 June 1950 - In commission in reserve on 6 June 1950
21 Nov. 1950 - On active status.
22 Jan. 1951 - Decommissioned


In Greek service as Doxa D-20:
1950 - Accepted by Cdr N.Ritsos
Summer of 1951 - Arrives in Greece
1954 - Overhauled together with sistership Niki in the United States
1972 - Decommissioned

Specifications
Gleeves class (sub-class Livermore) destroyer "Doxa" D-20
Displacement: 1,639/2,572t
Propulsion: Steam turbines 50.000 shp, twin propeller Length: 106m
Width: 11m
Draft: 5.5m
Speed: 37 knots
Armament: 4x 5inch/38 guns, 12(2x4 + 2x2)x 40 mm guns, 6x 20 mm guns, 5x 21in torpedo tubes,Hedgehog, depth charges.

For Gamers and Game designers
A very capable destroyer during World War 2, but relatively obsolescent by the 1950s.