Page 129 - Airpower in 20th Century - Doctrines and Employment

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

ing airfields proved to be too far away from the theatre of operations. Moreover, ad-
verse weather conditions had a negative effect on RHAF performance. The Hellenic-
Albanian frontier is characterised by its odd climatic conditions. As a result, deep
gorges and heavy fog cause strong wind currents and limited visibility, which al-
together hinder air navigation. Strong rainfall covered existing roads, airfields and
landing strips available for use by the RHAF.
RHAF potential of front-line aircraft in January 1941 consisted of 28 fighters (7
Gloster Gladiator Mk IIs, 2 Bloch MB. 151s and 19 P.Z.L. P. 24s) and 7 bombers (4
Bristol Blenheim Mk IVs and 3 Fairey Battle B.1.s). The Army co-operation squad-
9
rons’ inventory included 4 Henschel Hs 126s and 10 Dornier Do 22s .
On January 9, Army Corps captured Kleisoura, while until the end of the month
it was engaged in clearing up adjacent areas. The RHAF took, as far as possible, an
active role in these operations, often hindered by adverse weather conditions. On
January 25, as the weather had improved, 7 Gloster Gladiators and 3 P.Z.L.s inter-
cepted 8 Italian Fiat BR.20 M Cicogna bombers and shot down 3 of them, forcing
the rest to flee.
On February 9, 1941, the RHAF operated extensively over the front. Eight P.Z.L.s
of Nos.22 and 23 Fighter Squadrons and 4 Gladiators of No.21 Squadron intercepted
18 Italian SIAI S.M.79 bombers escorted by 12 Fiat G.50 and 12 Fiat CR. 42 fight-
10
ers. Four enemy aircraft, and possibly 3 more, were shot down .
th
From the 13 of February, II Army Corps launched an attack against Telepene.
The RHAF was ordered to support this operation. A few days later, No.32 Squadron
was reinforced by the arrival of another 6 Bristol Blenheim Mk IVs. These planes
had no provision for emergency exit from their rear thus hindering the crew’s timely
evacuation in case of emergency (Figure 6).
On February 20 the Royal Hellenic Air Force resumed heavy action. Seven P.Z.L.s
of No.22 Fighter Squadron in co-operation with 12 fighters from the other Fighter
Squadrons were escorting heavy bombers over the front. Ten Romeo 37 and 15 Fiat
G.50s Freccia fighters intercepted the formation and tried to isolate the P.Z.L.s of
No.22 Squadron. Four Italian fighters were shot down, despite the fact that the Italian
formation enjoyed an initial tactical advantage by flying at a higher altitude .
11
The most important event of March 1941 was the Italian spring attack, known as
“Primavera”, which had been planned by Mussolini himself, after having visited the
front. On early dawn of March 9 , “Primavera” was initiated. Almost 200 aircraft (of
th
which 70 were bombers) supported the Italian thrust.

9
Hellenic Wings, Ibid, p. 104.
10
No.21 Fighter Squadron, Operation Book from 28-10-1940 until 15-4-1941, Archive of the History
Museum, HAF.
11
Report on military action of No.22 Fighter Squadron from 10/28/1940 until 27/04/1941, under the
Wing Commander A. Antoniou (ex Commander), Athens 16-8-1946, Archive of the History Mu-
seum, HAF.