[Alex Smart]

Helloo Brian,
I am sure that I posted the details of the Greek Ansons on this forum some time ago, or maybe a similar forum?
Anyway here goes.
Details from Air Britain's N1000 - L9999, AA100-AZ999 and The Anson File.

12 Greek Ansons
Avro Works Order 20717
C/n's 1111 to 1122, TT51 to TT62
In present times it is I think accepted that "TT" was "pi" However the photos show the letter "N" before the number, which match's other Greek Navy aircraft of the day.
Avro c/n RAF Serial Civil Reg Greek N/r Delivery date
1111 - N5150 - G-AFTU - N-51 - 22-5-39
1112 - N5155 - G-AFTV - N-52 - 22-5-39
1113 - N5160 - G-AFTW - N-53 - 22-5-39
1114 - N5165 - G-AFUH - N-54 - 5-6-39
1115 - N5170 - G-AFUI - N-55 - 5-6-39
1116 - N5175 - G-AFUJ - N-56 - 5-6-39
1117 - N5185 - G-AFUM - N-57 - 5-6-39
1118 - N5190 - G-AFUN - N-58 - 19-6-39
1119 - N5200 - G-AFUO - N-59 - 19-6-39
1120 - N5205 - G-AFUR - N-60 - 19-6-39
1121 - N5210 - G-AFUS - N-61 - 7-7-39
1122 - N5215 - G-AFUT - N-62 - 7-7-39

Five reached North Africa, they were N-51,52,55,56 and 61.

They were impressed into the RAF as :
AX748 - N-51 - 13(H) - Overshot landing into a ditch, undercarriage collapsed, Gaza 10-7-42 DBR.
AX749 - N-52 - 13(H) - Overshot landing in fog El Gamil, 10-2-42.
AX750 - N-55 - 13(H) - SOC 5-8-42.
AX751 - N-56 - 13(H) - SOC 5-8-42.
AX752 - N-61 - 13(H) - Crashed in bad visibility near Port Said, 24-2-42.

From "Air War for Yugoslavia Greece and Crete 1940-41" by Shores Cull & Malizia.
Page 27:
Order of Battle 28-10-40, 13 Mira - 9 Ansons.
So prior to this date three Ansons became unserviceable to the Greek Forces.
Page 78:
On the 9th February 1941 Anson N-57 low on fuel attempted a force landing on the Plain of Messara in Southern Crete. On approach they released their bombs but one hung up and exploded on touchdown, destroying the Anson and killing 1/Lt Nicholaous Toubakaris and his Navigator and injuring the Gunner.
page 288:
and five Ansons of 13 Mira (N51,52,55,56 and 61) the latter loaded with personnel. One more of these , flown by Wg Cdr Lord Forbes from the RAF's Air HQ flew up to Eleusis to collect the wife of a Greek Government official, but as light crept over the airfield Messerschmitts strafed the Anson setting it afire.
Page 289:
Ju88's bombed the harbour and the Greek luxury yacht "Hellas" sank. One of those who survived was Wg Cdr Lord Forbes pilot of the ill-fated Anson earlier in the day. He later reached Crete by caique.
So 12 - 3 = 9
9 - 2 = 7
7 - 5 = 2
So the fate of the three earlier unidentified Ansons is unknown as is the Forbes Anson identity and the two other Ansons prior to the five which evaded to North Africa.

Hope this helps,
All for now
Alex