The Greek Navy in 1940 consisted of one ancient coast defense ship, one WWI-era armored cruiser, one old cruiser-minelayer, six modern destroyers, four old destroyers, 13 old torpedo boats and six modern submarines. Many of these ships had originally been owned by or built for other navies.

The minelayer, the Helle, was torpedoed and sunk in August 1940 in a Greek harbor by an "unknown" submarine as part of Mussolini's campaign of provocation leading up to the war. Obviously this small force could not hope to contend with the Italian Navy. But the Greeks hoped that the British Mediterranean fleet would protect Greek shipping and territory while at the same time disrupting the flow of supplies to the Italian armies in Albania. At least the British would negate Italian naval power.

This is in fact what happened in the campaign. The Italians were unable to interfere in any significant way with maritime traffic to Greece, but the British were unable to greatly disturb traffic from Italy to Albania. With the German invasion, much of the Greek Navy was lost, the remainder served with the Allies for the rest of the war.

Significant Greek warships in 1940 included:

Kilkis: 12,500 tons, best speed in 1940 @ 12 knots, armament, 1940: 4-12", 8-8", 4 -3", 2-3" AA, 8-20mm AA. Elderly pre-dreadnought launched in 1905, purchased from the U.S. Navy in 1914 (ex-Mississippi). She had been reduced to reserve status and it was planned to sell her for scrap but this was never done. Sister Lemnos (ex-Idaho) still extant in 1941 also, but in a disarmed, partially dismantled state. Both were sunk by German bombers 23 April 1941.

Averoff: 9,450 tons, 22 knots, 4-9.2", 8-7.5", 4-3", 2-75mm AA, 4-47mm, 5-40mm AA, 2-20mm AA. Italian-built armored cruiser launched in 1910. Re-engined in 1925-27. Escaped to serve as convoy escort throughout WWII, still exists as a naval museum.

Helle: 2,083 tons, 18 knots, 3-6", 2-3" AA, 4-40mm AA, 2 torpedo tubes, 110 mines. Light cruiser originally laid down in the U.S. for China as Fei Hung, launched in 1912, purchased in 1914. Re-built into minelayer 1928-29. Torpedoed by Italian sub Delfino in August 1940.

Vasilefs Georgios I class: 1,350 tons, 36 Knots, 4-5" 4-37mm AA, 8 tubes. Sister Vasilissa Olga. British-built destroyers launched 1938. It was planned to build two more in Greece, but little was accomplished before the German invasion. Georgios was captured by the Germans and re-named Hermes, sunk by Allied aircraft in May 1943. Olga was sunk by German aircraft in September 1943.

Ydra class: 1,389 tons, 38 knots, 4-120mm, 1-75mm AA, 3-40mm AA, 6 tubes. Sisters Psara, Condouriotis, Spetsai. Italian-built destroyers launched 1931-32. Ydra and Psara were sunk by German aircraft in April 1941, the other two survived the war.

Aetos class: 1,050 tons, 34 knots, 44", 2-40mm AA, 6 tubes, 40 mines. Sisters Lerax, Leon, Panther. British-built destroyers launched in 1911, originally for Argentina. Re-constructed 1924-25. Leon sunk by German aircraft in May 1941, the rest survived the war.

Thyella class: 275-305 tons, 24 knots, 2-88mm, 1-40mm AA, 2 tubes. Sisters Aspis, Niki, Sphendoni. Originally two classes, these old torpedo boats were launched in England (first two) and Germany in 1905-07. Their re-building in the 20's made them quite similar. Thyella sunk April 1941 by German aircraft, others survived the war.

P/K class: 241 tons, 28 knots, 2-66mm, 2 tubes. Pergamos, Prousa, Kyzikos, Kios, Kydonia. Ex- Austrian torpedo boats launched 1914-15. Given to Greece as war reparations in 1920. All sunk April 1941, Prousa by Italian aircraft, others by German aircraft.

Aigli class: 145 tons, 24 knots, 2-6 pdr., 2 tubes. Sisters Alkyone, Arethkousa, Doris. Torpedo boats launched 1913 in Germany. All sunk by German aircraft in April 1941.

Proteus class: 750/960 tons 14.5/9.5 knots, 1- 100mm, 1-3 pdr AA , 8 tubes. Sisters Glavkos, Nereus, Triton. French built submarines launched 1927-28. Nereus survived the war, Proteus sunk by Italian Antares December 1940, Glavkos by aircraft at Malta April 1942, Triton by German UJ 2102 November 1942.

Katsonis class: 595/778 tons, 14/9 knots, 1-100mm, 1-3 pdr AA, 6 tubes. Sister Papamicolis. French-built submarines launched 1926. Katsonis sunk September 1943 by German UJ 2101.

The Greek Armed Forces in 1940-41

Introduction and Preparation
Army
Navy
Air Force
The Campaign