On 23 November 1942, the G. Averof arrived at Port Said and settled on board
the Fleet Headquarters, Specialisation Schools as well as a Recruit Training Center. At the same time, the Hellenic Warships, in the last quarter of 1942 showed intense action by participating in continuous convoy missions and patrols. Despite the losses, 1943 dawned for the Navy more promising from previous years. As it had been organized, it now participated equally in Allied missions, earning the warm congratulations of the British in many circumstances. It is no exaggeration that our Fleet, although overworked, has to show global action. From the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and from there to the Atlantic, Hellenic Ships carry out war operations. At the same time, with slow but steady pace the equipment is modernized with new acquisitions, while the staff is trained in the latest technology.
After the capitulation of Italy, the Allies began operations in Dodecanese with limited success. Although many of the islands were occupied by allied forces, they could not be held because Rhodes remained under German control. The crews of the Hellenic ships really did what they could with great zeal, thinking that they were now fighting for her liberation of the occupied homeland.
Unfortunately, the glorious struggle of our Fleet was marred by the events of the Naval Stand in April 1944. In particular, the committees of the mutineers directed by various cells imposed their will on the crews and put pressure on the officers, asking them to sign their protocols. As for the Averof, part of the crew took part in the Naval Stand, carrying out many improper actions, which culminated in the Commanding Officer and the Executive Officer being forced to abandon the ship. Finally, on April 29, this movement was suppressed by the crew, without any external intervention. The mutineers surrendered without resistance.
In October 1944, after the beginning of the withdrawal of German troops from Greece, the Allies launched the “Manna” operation with the aim of the final liberation of the country and the sending of humanitarian aid. More specifically, British Military Forces carried out landing operations and at the same time plans for the return of the exiled Hellenic Fleet in the Homeland were put into effect.
On 13 October, the G. Averof together with the Hellenic Government set sail from Alexandria to Greece, where she initially sailed to Poros. Subsequently at noon on October 17, Averof sailed again from Poros, at the head of the main force of the Hellenic Fleet and in the afternoon of the same day our historic flagship, having as Commanding Officer T. Kountouriotis, son of the victorious Admiral Pavlos Kountouriotis, anchored triumphantly in Faliro. The next morning, in an atmosphere of emotion and enthusiasm, officially disembarked from the ship Prime Minister Georgios Papandreou together with the Hellenic Government, as well as the Commander in Chief of the Fleet and raised the Hellenic flag on the sacred rock of the Acropolis. Athens was Free Again.
