Greek Civil War air operations query

During 1943-44 the EAM/ELAS had created at least two airstrips in the northern part of Greece and some flights took place from and to there. The most important was Neraida airstrip near Karditsa where there is only one recorded flight from a Li-2 carrying Col Popov and his staff who came for negotiations with EAM (the political part of EAM/ELAS) and finaly stayed as the USSR military attache in Athens for many years. These airstrips were straffed by the forces of the Gonverment, but only for psychological reasons. The government forces were equaly reluctant to make any fighting with forces of Albania and Yugoslavia for avoidance of great powers intervention.
The Spitfire incident took place, if I am not mistaken, in 1947 but I have to look up to it. The pilot forced landed and was unhurt and later on was brought back in Greece.

Hmmm…just ran across this

In March(1948) the RHAF identified and attacked two guerrilla landing strips near Lake Prespa. These had been presumably prepared to receive supplies and men from Albania and Yugoslavia. It must be said, however, that neither country is known to have operated any kind of transport – or other – aircraft in support of the DSE. Quite on the contrary, the communist neighbours restrained from such actions for fear of provoking greater US aid or even an intervention

Which says the airfields attacked were within borders not over the Border…..but then where were they expecting supplies from? Clandestine drops?

Here is the site I found that on

http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/printer_294.shtml

Thank you both for that. Markpa, do you know when these skirimishes took place? 1946? 1948?

It’s settled the question in my mind, and is very decent of you both.

From what I’ve read, the Raf and RHAF were attacking airfields in neighboring countries that were supporting the rebels, so that may be the avenue to pursue. Perhaps they themselves were not flying A/C but getting support from the Commies next door.

Hello,

during the Greek civil war that lasted from 1944 until 1949 there were only the aircraft flown by the Royal Hellenic Air Force. The EAM/ELAS ( the communist partizans who fought against the Germans since 1942) fought against the Royal party and the British expedition force in an attemtp to gain power and bring Greece under the reign of the USSR. After the Yalta treaty between the westerners and the Russians the later lost interest for that part of Europe and stopped providing assistance to EAM.
Now to answer your question, there were no aircraft used by them but there are some registered skirmishes between RHAF Spitfires and Yugoslavian Yak-3s with no losses from both sides.
The majority of the aircraft lost is due to enemy AA fire. Comprised mostly of captured AA light guns.