When the ridiculous Italian dictator Mussolini declared war on Greece, the small Greek Air Force (then Royal Hellenic Air Force - EBA) had two Gloster Gladiator Mk I fighter jets donated by expatriate Stylianos Sarpakis. By December 1940 the EBA was already exhausted in its effort to deal with the powerful Italian Air Force (Regia Aeronautica). Thus it was decided to reinforce the EBA with British Gladiators. Between December 1940 and April 1941, 14-19 aircraft were delivered and assigned to the 21st Fighter Squadron.
The British Gladiators were Mk I and Mk II. The squadron also received the one aircraft that Sarpakis had donated to EBA. The other had been destroyed in an accident. Of the Gladiators 8 belonged to the 112th Squadron of the RAF. Another 6 were made available by the RAF's 80th Squadron fighting in Greece. The aircraft were delivered with severe quorum shortages and strained engines. Nevertheless, the 21st Squadron, under the command of Squadron Leader Ioannis Kella, became operational on December 23 and was transferred from Eleusis to Ioannina, replacing the British 80th Squadron.
First battles
Greek Gladiators scored their first shoot down on 8 January 1941, a CR.42. But then the weather worsened so much that air operations ceased. When the squadron was ordered to fly to Eleusis to escort a convoy the aircraft were unable to take off. But Kellas asked for the help of the residents and indeed 200 old men, women and children rushed to clean the airport!
On January 25, 7 Gladiators together with 7 PZL P-24s of the 22nd Squadron carried out a patrol in the area of Premeti - Kleisoura. The Gladiators were flown by squadron leader Kellas, squadron leader Stylianopoulos, sub-squadron Katsaros, second-in-command Bardavilias, pilot-in-command Kostorizos, pilot-in-command Stasinopoulos and pilot-in-command Krizopoulos.
Greek aircraft spotted Italian BR.20 bombers and attacked them. The PZLs shot down two Italians, while Kellas attacked an Italian and hit one engine. The wounded bomber was also attacked by two other Greek aircraft and hit, causing it to make an emergency landing later. Kellas then attacked three bombers head-on, but to no avail.
The Greek eagles...
On February 9, 1941, 18 Italian S.79 bombers were operating in the Tepeleni area. They were accompanied by 12 G.50 monoplanes and 12 CR.42 biplanes. In the area, 4 Greek Gladiators of the 21st and 8 PZLs of the 22nd Squadron were patrolling the area which immediately attacked the Italians, although they were so far behind in number and partly also in the quality of aircraft.
The Gladiators with Kella, Bardavilia, epismia Dimitrakopoulos and Kostorizos lined up and engaged in a fierce dogfight with the Italian chasers. The Greek pilots claimed the downing of 8 Italians with Dimitrakopoulos, Kostorizo and Bardavila claiming one each and Kellas two. Another three downs were claimed by the PZLs of the 22nd.
The Greek Army confirmed the shootings, but the Italians did not. However, it is not certain whether the takedowns were finally achieved. However, the Gladiators of Kella and Dimitrakopoulos were seriously damaged but managed to land. One PZL was shot down and another was seriously damaged. The Italians supported the downing of nine Greek aircraft!
On 10 February 4 Gladiators with Kella, squadron Skaltsogiannis, Bardavilia and Dimitrakopoulos, together with 8 PZLs of the 22nd and 23rd Squadrons, attacked Italian Z.1007bis and S.79 bombers flying towards Ioannina and escorted by a G.50 squadron . The Gladiators engaged the Italian fighters while the PZLs engaged the bombers. The PZLs claimed the downing of five bombers while the Gladiators, according to the testimony of the 23rd Squadron commander, Squadron Leader Theodoropoulos, shot down 3 Italian fighters. The Italians claimed the downing of a Gladiator and 4 PZLs.
There followed another break in operations due to weather and fatigue. On April 2, 1941, however, Greek Gladiators shot down two Italian Z.1007bis bombers. The next battle of the Greek air force, however, the most heroic, was fought on April 15, 1941 against the mighty Luftwaffe.
EBA's dying exit
That morning 18 German Ju 87 Stukas accompanied by at least 20 Me-109E fighters were seen in the sky near Trikala. The remnants of the EBA were stationed at Vasiliki airport. Greek aircraft of all types took off for the "death exit", like other Leonidas...
The 5 Gladiators were flown by Kellas, Skaltsogiannis, pilot Chondros, Papadimitriou and Katsaros. 4 PZLs of the 22nd Squadron and 2 Bloch MB.151s of the 24th Squadron took off with them. The Greek aircraft flew in disregarding all logic. A Stuka was shot down by a Gladiator. Claimed downing two more Stukas by Squadron Mokka who was flying MB.151. However, he was shot down by an Me-109E flown by ace Gustav Rendel and was killed.
The Germans claimed the downing of 3 PZLs and 2 Gladiators. Kella's aircraft managed to make an overrun emergency landing and crashed. The squadron leader was injured. Ensign Katsarelis of the 22nd Squadron supported the downing of an Me-109 but was also shot down and seriously injured. Correspondent Argyropoulos of the 22nd also claimed the downing of an Me-109. Thus ended the action of the Greek Gladiators who recorded 11 confirmed and three possible shootdowns.
Squadron Leader Ioannis Kellas commander of the 21st Pursuit Squadron.
Greeks of the 21st Squadron and Britons are photographed with a Gladiator in the background.
