THE EMPLOYEMENT OF AIRPOWER IN THE GREEK GUERRILLA WAR, 1947 - 1949

PREFACE

This study has been prepared at the Aerospace Studies Institute ( ASI ) as part of the continuing program to examine the role of airpower in guerrilla warfare. Several of these airpower studies have emphasized the application of airpower under different circumstances in several areas of the world. In Greece the battles were primarily land operations against guerrillas ( often called bandits ) in the mountainous areas. Infantrymen bore the brunt of the fight for two long years while the aerial units were being readied for action.

The last two chapters of this study describe the aerial phase. Prior to this, the narrative analyzes the conflict, the opposing forces, and the nature of the land engagements. Had more trained pilots and a sufficient number of aircraft been available, the Royal Rellenic Air Force ( R.H.A.F. ) could have assumed a more active role earlier than 1949. The contributions of Greek airpower are the main emphasis in this review of the Greek Guerrilla War, 1947 - 1949.

The authors used documentary material from the Federal Records Center in Alexandria, Virginia, the Air University Library, and the U.S.A.F. Historical Division Archives of the Aerospace Studies Institute. Other material came from books and articles written by participants in the Greek Guerrilla War.