"Greek Naval Infantry" Topic

May be a dumb question, but are these Greek troops naval infantry? That blue jacket uniform certainly did get around, didn't it?

noimtheotherguy,
Your picture doesn't show up on my computer. Looking at my collection, I have a picture of a Greek naval infantryman in blue sailor suit from the 1st Balkans War. I have a photo of two Greek sailors in white sailor uniforms and straw hats, clearly summer gear, year unknown. I also have a picture of Greek sailors hauling off a captured Turkish field piece in April 1897. Seven of them are in white uniforms and four are in blue. This last lot is not serving as naval infantry, though that might or might not be the way they came ashore.
Grelber

Surprising enough there was not any naval infantry, i.e. trained for amphibious operations, but:
1.- during the mobilisation for the Balkan wars every branch found with surplus men. So, navy kept some of them and used as landing parties.Please note that it was common for the sailors to be trained in infantry – landing party roles. Uniform as for the Navy. This is the case of your 1st photo Greiber.
2.- the greek army in the first balkan war found with the task to liberate the aegean islands. hence the need for landing actions. A couple of infantry batallions took a hastily train for few days and designated to the fleet.
They landed in Lesvos and Chios islands, rowing wooden boats.
Their uniform was that of the infantry.
3.- Later in the balkan wars a newly formed brigade (I think the 9th) was equipped with surplus material from navy, including blue uniforms and cutlasses. There is an incident when they first apper to take their position they were mistaken for Bulgarians and shot by friendly units. Some casualties also occur. Please note that in the dark night their uniform was darker immitating the bulgarian colour. This brigade or division has even straw hats !!!
4.- In all armies of the time naval contingents helped the army to manhandle artillery pieces, mainly in case like Crimea, Sudan and the war of 1897 when there was no fleet action. This is the case of your third photo.
5.- Why blue and white uniforms during april of 1897? maybe haste of mobilisation leaving people with old (blue) and white surplus uniforms.
6.- Yes, indeed. summer uniforms of the navy was and still is white and winter uniforms are blue. Nowdays the transition from blue to white and vice versa happened on 15th of may and 15th of October. I do not know when this happened by 1897 (or 1912). So, a good suppose is that active sailors wore blue and newly dressed recruits were issued the material which was available in larger numbers i.e. white. Maybe this case, too.
7.- At least till 1907 the navy wore in summer straw hats, as this was the fasjion of the day.
8.- I cannot also see the photo.
8.- Greiber I would like to see your photos, too!