Hellenic Navy - Revision history

Irlandos: /* The Navy during the Revolution */

2010-08-11T12:58:42Z

The Navy during the Revolution

Irlandos: /* World War II */

2008-05-06T08:58:13Z

World War II

Irlandos at 11:44, August 23, 2007

2007-08-23T11:44:08Z

Irlandos: /* Aircraft inventory */

2007-08-17T09:03:53Z

Aircraft inventory

Irlandos: /* Aircraft inventory */

2007-08-17T09:00:27Z

Aircraft inventory

Irlandos: /* Aircraft inventory */

2007-08-17T09:00:14Z

Aircraft inventory

Irlandos: /* Gunboats */

2007-08-17T08:59:36Z

Gunboats

Irlandos: /* Combat Arms */

2007-08-17T08:59:10Z

Combat Arms

Irlandos: /* Modern Era 1950-1990 */

2007-08-17T08:58:43Z

Modern Era 1950-1990

Irlandos: /* World War II */

2007-08-17T08:58:14Z

World War II

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 Although Greek crews were experienced seamen, the light Greek ships, mostly armed merchantmen, were unable to stand up to the large Turkish ships of the line in direct combat. So the Greeks resorted to the use of fireships (''πυρπολικά'' or ''μπουρλότα''), with great success. It was in the use of such ships that courageous seamen like [[Constantine Kanaris]] won international renown. Under the leadership of capable admirals, most prominently [[Andreas Miaoulis]] of Hydra, or the notable woman captain, [[Laskarina Bouboulina]] of Spetses, the Greek fleet achieved early victories, guaranteeing the survival of the revolt in the mainland.
-However, as Greece became embroiled in a civil war, the Sultan called upon his strongest subject, [[Muhammad Ali]], for aid. Plagued by internal strife and financial difficulties in keeping the fleet in constant readiness, the Greeks failed to prevent the capture and destruction of [[Kasos]] and [[Psara]] in [[1824]], or the landing of the Egyptian army at [[Modon]]. Despite victories at [[Samos]] and [[Gerontas]], the Revolution was threatened with collapse until the intervention of the Great Powers in the [[Battle of Navarino]] in [[1827]]. There the Ottoman fleet was decisively defeated by the combined fleets of the Britain, France and the Russian Empire, effectively securing the independence of Greece.
+However, as Greece became embroiled in a civil war, the Sultan called upon his strongest subject, [[Muhammad Ali]], for aid. Plagued by internal strife and financial difficulties in keeping the fleet in constant readiness, the Greeks failed to prevent the capture and destruction of [[Kasos]] and [[Psara]] in [[1824]], or the landing of the Egyptian army at [[Modon]]. Despite victories at [[Samos]] and [[Battle of Gerontas|Gerontas]], the Revolution was threatened with collapse until the intervention of the Great Powers in the [[Battle of Navarino]] in [[1827]]. There the Ottoman fleet was decisively defeated by the combined fleets of the Britain, France and the Russian Empire, effectively securing the independence of Greece.
 When [[Ioannis Capodistrias]] became governor of newly-liberated Greece, the Greek fleet consisted of few remaining ships, which had participated in the war for independence. The first minister of "Naval affairs" was Constantine Kanaris, and the most powerful ship of the fleet at that time, the frigate ''Hellas'', had been constructed in the United States during the last years of the American revolution. The Navy established its headquarters at the island of [[Poros]] and the building of a new series of ships began at the naval base while old ships were gradually being retired. Furthermore, continuous efforts towards the education of officers were initiated. Young people were initially trained at the military school of [[Scholi Evelpidon]] and afterwards they were transferred to the navy, as there was no such thing as a Naval Academy.<ref>Official website of the Hellenic Navy, [http://www.hellenicnavy.gr/history_en.asp#a3]</ref>

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 But when Nazi Germany attacked Greece, the RHN was literally decimated by the Luftwaffe, suffering the loss of 25 ships within a few days in April [[1941]]. It was then decided to shift the remaining fleet (one cruiser -the famous ''[[Greek cruiser Georgios Averof|Averof]]''-, three destroyers and five submarines) to [[Alexandria]] in Egypt.
-As the war progressed, the number of Hellenic Royal Navy vessels increased after the concession of several destroyers and submarines by the British Royal Navy. The most notable aspects of the Hellenic Royal Navy's participation in World War II include the operations of the destroyer ''[[Greek destroyer Vasilissa Olga (D 15)|Vassilissa Olga]]'' which, until sunk in [[Leros]] in [[September 23]] [[1943]], was the most successful Allied destroyer in the Mediterranean Sea; the participation of two destroyers in Operation Overlord; and the story of the destroyer ''[[HMS Border (L67)#RHNS Adrias (L67)|Adrias]]'', which while operating close to the coast of [[Kalymnos]] in October 1943 hit a mine, resulting in the loss of the vessel's prow, while blowing the two-gun forward turret over the bridge. After some minor repairs at Gümüşlük Bay in Turkey the ''[[HMS Border (L67)#RHNS Adrias (L67)|Adrias]]'' managed to return to [[Alexandria]] in a 400-mile trip, even though all the forepart of the ship, up to the bridge, was missing.
+As the war progressed, the number of Hellenic Royal Navy vessels increased after the concession of several destroyers and submarines by the British Royal Navy. The most notable aspects of the Hellenic Royal Navy's participation in World War II include the operations of the destroyer ''[[RHS Vasilissa Olga |Vassilissa Olga]]'' which, until sunk in [[Leros]] in [[September 23]] [[1943]], was the most successful Allied destroyer in the Mediterranean Sea; the participation of two destroyers in Operation Overlord; and the story of the destroyer ''[[HMS Border (L67)#RHNS Adrias (L67)|Adrias]]'', which while operating close to the coast of [[Kalymnos]] in October 1943 hit a mine, resulting in the loss of the vessel's prow, while blowing the two-gun forward turret over the bridge. After some minor repairs at Gümüşlük Bay in Turkey the ''[[HMS Border (L67)#RHNS Adrias (L67)|Adrias]]'' managed to return to [[Alexandria]] in a 400-mile trip, even though all the forepart of the ship, up to the bridge, was missing.
 ===Modern Era 1950-1990===

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 The '''Hellenic Navy''' ('''ΗΝ''') ([[Greek language|Greek]] '''''Πολεμικό Ναυτικό''''' ('''ΠΝ'''), ''Polemikó Naftikó''), is the naval force of the modern nation of [[Greece]].
-The modern Greek navy has its roots in the naval forces of various [[Aegean Islands]], which fought in the Greek [[War of Independence]]. During the periods of monarchy ([[1833]]-[[1924]] and [[1936]]-[[1973]]) it was known as the '''Royal (Hellenic) Navy''' ('''Βασιλικόν Ναυτικόν''' ('''ΒΝ'''), ''Vasilikón Naftikón'').
+The modern Greek navy has its roots in the naval forces of various [[Aegean Islands]], which fought in the Greek [[War of Independence]]. During the periods of monarchy ([[1833]]-[[1924]] and [[1936]]-[[1973]]) it was known as the '''[[Royal Hellenic Navy|Royal (Hellenic) Navy]]''' ('''Βασιλικόν Ναυτικόν''' ('''ΒΝ'''), ''Vasilikón Naftikón'').
 The motto of the Hellenic Navy is "The Sea's Great State" ([[Greek language|Greek]]: ''Μέγα το της Θαλάσσης Κράτος'') and the Hellenic Navy Emblem consists of an anchor in front of a crossed orthodox cross and a trident.
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 *''Main Article: [[Hellenic Naval Academy|Hellenic Naval Cadets Academy]]''
 *[[Greek Merchant Navy]]
 ==External links==

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 == Aircraft inventory ==
-{{Prettytable}}
+*Aérospatiale Alouette III  (FRA) Helicopter  SA 319B - 2
-! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft
+*Bell 212  (ITA) Anti-submarine Helicopter  AB 212ASW  - 8 plus 2 AB 212EW in reserve
-! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
+*Lockheed P-3 Orion (USA) Maritime Patrol P-3B - 4
-! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
+*Sikorsky S-70 (USA) Naval Helicopter S-70B-6/-B - 11 (Also known as "Aegean Hawk")
 == Recently decommissioned ships ==

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 == Aircraft inventory ==
-{{Pretty table}}
+{{Prettytable}}
 ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft
 ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:59, August 17, 2007
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	=== Gunboats ===		=== Gunboats ===
−	~~[[Image:HSTolmiMailXfer MD.jpg\|thumb\|370px\|right\|PC/PG "Tolme" (P 229) during exercise]]~~

	*3 × Gunboats Class Thetis		*3 × Gunboats Class Thetis

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 *''Διοίκηση Υποβρυχίων (ΔΥ)'' Submarine Command
 *''Διοίκηση Αμφιβίων Δυνάμεων (ΔΑΔ)'' Amphibious Assault Forces Command
-**Greece does not have a [[marine corps]] established as a separate branch attached to the naval service, instead, the Army Special Forces Command includes the 32nd Marine Brigade (32η Ταξιαρχία Πεζοναυτών); the Navy provides the landing craft etc.
+**Greece does not have a marine corps established as a separate branch attached to the naval service, instead, the Army Special Forces Command includes the 32nd Marine Brigade (32η Ταξιαρχία Πεζοναυτών); the Navy provides the landing craft etc.
 *''Διοίκηση Υποβρυχίων Καταστροφών (ΔΥΚ)''  Underwater Demolition Command
 *''Ναυτική Συνεργασία'' Fleet Air Arm

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 ===Modern Era 1950-1990===
-After [[World War II]], the Royal Hellenic Navy was significantly strengthened by the concession of British and Italian ships. The organisation also changed in line with modern naval doctrines of that era, leaving aside the old battleships after the entrance into [[NATO]] in [[1952]]. At the beginning of the 1950s, US military aid formed the core of the country's armed forces. The Royal Hellenic Navy received the first Bostwick-class destroyers which took on the name ''Beasts'' (Θηρία), while withdrawing the British ones.
+After [[World War II]], the Royal Hellenic Navy was significantly strengthened by the concession of British and Italian ships. The organisation also changed in line with modern naval doctrines of that era, leaving aside the old battleships after the entrance into NATO in [[1952]]. At the beginning of the 1950s, US military aid formed the core of the country's armed forces. The Royal Hellenic Navy received the first Bostwick-class destroyers which took on the name ''Beasts'' (Θηρία), while withdrawing the British ones.
-The next significant change was during the early 1970s, when Greece was the first Mediterranean naval force to order missile-equipped fast attack craft (Combattante II) and the Type 209 submarines, whereas US military aid continued in the form of FRAM II class destroyers. In [[1979]], Hellenic Navy placed an order in the [[Netherlands]] for two modern Standard class frigates (the [[Elli class frigate|Elli class]]). These were the first acquisitions of new main surface vessels, rather than the use of second-hand ships, in almost four decades.
+The next significant change was during the early 1970s, when Greece was the first Mediterranean naval force to order missile-equipped fast attack craft (Combattante II) and the Type 209 submarines, whereas US military aid continued in the form of FRAM II class destroyers. In [[1979]], Hellenic Navy placed an order in the Netherlands for two modern Standard class frigates (the [[Elli class frigate|Elli class]]). These were the first acquisitions of new main surface vessels, rather than the use of second-hand ships, in almost four decades.
 ===Present Status===

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:58, August 17, 2007
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	===World War II===		===World War II===

−	~~{{see\|Military history of Greece during World War II}}~~
	In [[1938]], Greece ordered four modern ''Greyhound'' class destroyers in English shipyards, making a serious step towards modernization. The outbreak of war in Europe, however, allowed only two to be delivered. Greece entered World War II with a weak navy consisting of 10 destroyers, two outdated battleships, two light cruisers and six submarines.		In [[1938]], Greece ordered four modern ''Greyhound'' class destroyers in English shipyards, making a serious step towards modernization. The outbreak of war in Europe, however, allowed only two to be delivered. Greece entered World War II with a weak navy consisting of 10 destroyers, two outdated battleships, two light cruisers and six submarines.