Greek PZL-24s of 22 Mira 15 November 1940
 

Hi guys

I have a note that 22 Mira of the Royal Hellenic Air Force lost seven PZL-24s on 15 November 1940 over Albania, shot down by Italian fighters. Is this correct?

Cheers
Brian

Re: Greek PZL-24s of 22 Mira 15 November 1940
 

Brian

Trying to make some sense out of a book named On Spartan Wings by John Carr, which from a general standpoint feels a bit careless about facts and also a bit hard to follow exactly what the author wants to say, has nothing about any PZL losses on Nov 15th.

However he makes a comment that on Nov 17th (at least I THINK he means the 17th, but he could also refer to an earlier named date, Nov 18th) the Italians claimed 6 PZL 24. He makes no statement at all regarding true Greek losses but only a comment that one was flown by Constantine Yannikostas. Looks like the Italians attacked the airfield at Gjirokaster in Albania.

No need to quote from your own book Air War for Yugoslavia Greece and Crete....
Cheers
Stig

Re: Greek PZL-24s of 22 Mira 15 November 1940
 

Hi Stig

Good to hear from you. I trust you are are fit and well.

I also have a copy of that particular book and tend to agree with you.

Cheers
Brian

Re: Greek PZL-24s of 22 Mira 15 November 1940
 

I think the author of this book is mostly concerned with the terrible Communist threat... ;) , almost no useful material on the air war!

Re: Greek PZL-24s of 22 Mira 15 November 1940
 

Hello,

I don't have all my material at hand, but I don't have any Italian claims for PZLs on 15-16 November, but on 14 November they claimed at least 7 PZLs (but these seems mostly have been claimed in combat with 23 Mira).

Best wishes/Håkan

Re: Greek PZL-24s of 22 Mira 15 November 1940
 

About the loss of Yannicostas, the formal document of 22 Moira reports (05-03-1941):

(...) By 18-11-1940, when Yannicostas Constantinos was refered as missing is now included in the list of the dead, as the aircraft Δ.136 flown by himself found crashed 500 meters west of mount Morava where his grave can also be found (...)

He crashed on 18-11-1940 flying on a mission for 23 Moira.

In conclusion, the document reports that only 3 aircraft of 22 Moira were lost.