Destroyer “Leon II” (H.N. D-50 Leon)

The destroyer Leon II (H.N. D-50 Leon) was a vessel of the Hellenic Navy, known at the time as the Royal Hellenic Navy. It was commissioned into active service in 1912 and remained operational until 1941, tracing a long and distinguished history.

Historical Overview

The ship was ordered by the Greek government from the Camell Laird shipyards in England. Alongside her sister ships Aetos I, Ierax II, and Panthir I—all bearing animal names—they formed the renowned group known as the “Beasts” (Thiria) of the Hellenic Navy.

Built in Liverpool and purchased in fully operational condition at the cost of £148,000 each, the ships were acquired as the Balkan Wars loomed. These vessels had originally been ordered by the Argentine Navy, and Leon was initially named Tucuman.

During the Balkan Wars, the ships were equipped only with basic ammunition (approximately 3,000 rounds), as torpedoes were not yet available. For this reason, they were initially classified as “scouts” rather than destroyers—a designation that was revised in later years.

During the Balkan Wars, Leon was commanded by Lieutenant Commander Ioannis Razikotsikas. On board was also the Squadron Commander, Captain Dimitrios Papachristos. On December 3, 1912, Leon, together with the other three “Beasts,” formed part of the “Fleet of the Aegean,” under the flagship battleship Georgios Averof and commanded by then-Captain Pavlos Kountouriotis. It took part in the famed Battle of Elli and subsequently in the Battle of Lemnos on January 5, 1913. Concurrently, Leon played an active role in the liberation of the islands of the Northern and Northeastern Aegean.

First World War

During World War I, Greece initially maintained a stance of neutrality, delaying its entry into the conflict. As a consequence of this neutrality, the four “Beasts” were seized by the Allied forces in October 1916. In November of the same year, they were handed over to the French Navy and served under French command during the years 1917–1918.

In 1918, the vessels were returned to Greece. Leon resumed escort duties under the Greek flag, mainly in the Aegean Sea, and participated in blockade missions along the Black Sea coast, from the Bosporus to Trebizond. In 1919, it joined the Crimean Campaign, continuing its loyal service to the nation.

Explosion in Piraeus

On December 22, 1921, while docked at the port of Piraeus, Leon sustained severe damage due to the accidental explosion of a depth charge being handled by members of its crew. The explosion also inflicted damage on its sister ship Ierax, which was anchored nearby.

The blast claimed numerous lives, with identification of the dead made difficult due to the extent of dismemberment. In total, sixty individuals were either killed or injured, including personnel aboard both vessels as well as workers on nearby boats, workshops, and shipyards.

Among the casualties from Leon were two officers, one petty officer, and two sailors, while Ierax lost two more officers. Leon suffered complete destruction of her aft section, up to the rear gun, placing her crew under extreme strain and causing serious losses to the Hellenic Navy.

Overthrow of Dictator Pangalos

Leon underwent extensive reconstruction between 1925 and 1927, restoring her combat readiness and reliability. In 1926, during the military uprising led by Georgios Kondylis aimed at deposing the dictator Theodoros Pangalos, Leon, under the command of Captain Karavidas, played a crucial role in the rebels’ success.

Detached from the main fleet, Leon sailed swiftly and intercepted the small torpedo boat Pergamos, on which Pangalos was aboard. The crew of Leon apprehended the dictator, thus bringing an end to his authoritarian rule.

Second World War

Leon actively participated in naval operations during World War II. On April 18, 1941, while escorting a convoy, it collided with the passenger steamer Ardena. Shortly thereafter, two depth charges detonated, causing the aft section of the vessel to break away, resulting in the deaths of two officers.

The crippled vessel was towed to the Souda Bay anchorage, where it was ultimately sunk on May 15, 1941, during an air raid by German aircraft. The final commanding officer of Leon was Lieutenant Commander Petros Protopappas.