The creation of the Naval History Department ( N.H.D) is being related directly to the issuance of the first Naval Magazine entitled “Polar Star” in 1842, having as inspirer the Ensign C. Zochios. Shortly afterwards, in 1895, the brochure “Hellenic Navy’s officers Publications” is being published and in 1897 is being renamed as “Naval Review”. Unfortunately this publication was adjourned for almost twenty years because of the war. As starting point for the later N.H.D should be considered the year 1917, when the former Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff Admiral S.J Dousmanis HN, establishes a new section in H.N.G.S called “Historical tasks and Magazine”. From that section will later occur the future Naval Historical Department.
As the birthday day of the Naval History Department can be considered the 25th of January 1917, the day of issue of the Royal Decree which was the fundamental guide for the “Naval Review” and ensured its issuance. The above section was renamed as “Historical Service” in 1935. During the Second World War and the migration of the Greek fleet, “Historical Service” did not suspend it’s operation. On the contrary, in 1944, based in Alexandria – Egypt, “Historical Service” continued its presence as a part of Hellenic Navy General Staff. In March 1945, the magazine “Naval Review”, whose version was adjourned due to war events starts again to be issued. In 1952 “Historical Service” is transferred in Botanikos area and in 1992 assumes its present name “Naval History Department” ( N.H.D). Today N.H.D is an independent department reporting directly to the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff. In ” Historical Archives Section”, archives from Hellenic Navy’s war ships and naval services are continuously recorded and safely classified. N.H.D is also the exclusive safekeeper for microfilmed archives since 1900!
