On October 24, 2019, we were honored to be invited by the Cultural Institute of Chios to speak about the great RAF Greek Ace, Vassilios Vassiliadis, and the Greeks in Foreign Cockpits subject. Flying his Mustang Mk.III and his Tempest very aggressively, he managed to be credited with 10 kills, before he was shot down by anti-aircraft fire over Bocholt, Germany, on March 25, 1945, the same day as the Greek Revolution anniversary against Ottoman Turks. The event was organized by the Cultural Institute of Chios because of the national anniversary of the 28th of October, well known worldwide as the OXI Day, the day when the Greek people stood up behind their leader, Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas and denied the Italian forces to enter Greece unopposed. We also took a chance to speak also for the gallant pilots of the Royal Hellenic Air Force (RHAF) who against all odds, fought gallantly against the Italian and German forces, having their RAF brothers on their wings, shooting down 68 enemy aircraft and 23 more as probable. The speech took place in the Michael Bournous Hall of the Chios District building in Chios Island. Along with us the notable researcher and military history writer, HAF (ret) Angelos Mansolas, spoke about the great ace, having the distinction to write Vassiliadis biography, after conducting thorough research. Ιt must be noted that Mr. Mansolas proposed that a plate should be placed outside his house as well as his bust, in the municipal garden, along with other Chios notable personalities. The event was prolonged by the Vice Governor of Chios Island, Mr. Pantelis Bougdanos, followed by the President of the Cultural Institute of Chios, Mrs. Maria Vassilakaki. Mrs. Vassilakaki read the letter of Vassilios sister, Mrs. Maria Rokou Vassiliadis and a nice surprise was the presence of Vassilios Vassiliadis niece, Mrs. Vasiliki Vassiliadis her name was given to honor of her uncle name. Both our representative, Dimitris Vassilopoulos as well as Angelos Mansolas would like to express their gratitude for the hospitality of the event organizers.

You can read the lecture and see the presentation slides given by Dimitris Vassilopoulos, in the following link:

https://www.greeks-in-foreign-cockpits.com/interviews-presentations-magazine-articles/chios-2019-greek-edition/

For the time being, only the Greek edition is available.       

During our research for the top Greek Ace, John Agorastos Plagis, we tried to contact various individuals researchers, as well as museums. Knowing that John Plagis, became one of the two Acting Flying Wing Commanders in Bentwaters Wing during the opening months of 1945, we tried to establish a connection with the museum located there. Unfortunately, the Museum named as ‘Bentwaters Cold War Museum’ or BCWM, and as such, they couldn’t provide us with information regarding the WW2 History. However, these fine gentlemen, namely Andrew Horex and Simon Gladas, running the BCWM, proved more than willing to help us in our project and also to know more about the Bentwaters WW2 history and the famous Greek Wg.Cdr. Needless to mention that we donate a copy of our B’ Volume to the museum for all they have done for us and most important for their ethical support!

These days we also gathered all the information we have about Bentwaters in WW2, especially Operations Record Books of Bentwaters Wing as well as Plagis Logbook extracts from that period and mailed them for the museum archives. The BCWM regularly organize sessions for its members and enthusiasts, covering many subjects concerning its Cold War history. To our surprise, Simon Cladas honored us by presenting the book to their members and sent us pictures from their meeting!

We encourage our followers to take a view of their lovely website, and for the lucky ones, to visit.

http://www.bcwm.org.uk