Page 127 - Airpower in 20th Century - Doctrines and Employment

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royal HelleniC air forCe (rHaf) during world war ii. organization and operations

propeller, which was torn to pieces.
As a result, the aeroplane dived into
an uncontrollable spin and crashed.
Four of the crew members baled out
and landed safely on Macedonian
soil, including the bomber’s pilot,
Pilot Officer B. Pasgualotto.
Mitralexi’s propeller had been
twisted as a result of its impact with
the bomber’s rudder, forcing him
to land his P.Z.L. close to where
the bomber had crashed. Having
landed safely, Mitralexis jumped
out of his cockpit with his revolver
and arrested the crew of the Italian
bomber, bringing them to the Army
Headquarters of Thessaloniki. This
incredible incident was confirmed by
an interview given to the daily news-
paper “Proia” by a crew- member
of the Italian bomber, Pilot Officer
Caribaldo Brussolo (Figure 5). Figure 5: Flying Officer M. Mitralexis
Between November 3 and 13 (Archive of the History Museum, HAF).
the Italian attack was halted and
the RHAF carried out many important missions, as interceptions of Italian aircraft
with shooting down, striking operation against the Alpinisti and bombing of the port
of Avlon and of the Korytsa airfield. A reconnaissance mission of No.21 Fighter
Squadron on November 4, 1940 revealed that the Italians were retreating all along
the front. The day after, the first Italian prisoners of war were sent to Athens.
On November 14, 1940 the Hellenic Army launched a general counter – attack
throughout the front which lasted until January 6, 1941. The RHAF focused its ac-
tion on the central front, offering valuable air support to the advancing Hellenic
Army units by destroying the enemy supply and retreating routes.
The first day of the Hellenic Army counter-attack 2 Blenheims of No32 Bombing
Squadron and 2 Faireys Battles of No33 attacked the southern Korytsa aerodrome
destroying 10 aircraft and damaging others. During this attack one Blenheim was
shot down by antiaircraft fire. Furthermore, during the bombing raid against north-
ern Korytsa aerodrome one Italian Caproni CA 133 was destroyed on the ground.
During the same day, 6 Faireys bombed the aerodrome of Argyrokastron destroying
12 Italian aircraft on the ground. The Fighter Squadrons were also heavily involved
in combat during the first day of the offensive. Forty- two sorties were recorded dur-
ing which the Italians lost 3 Fiat CR.42s.