After the fleets approach and exchange fire, Kountouriotis signals independent action and accelerates Averof to about 21 knots. The Ottoman ships can either expose themselves to the Greek battle line or accept Averof's flanking fire; they turn away together under orders to preserve the fleet. Averof closes to less than 3,000 meters without support, so a lucky disabling hit could have left the flagship isolated in front of the entire Ottoman force. Their crowded withdrawal slows them and interferes with their own guns, while Greek fire damages Barbaros Hayreddin. The outcome demonstrates maneuver and speed, but poor gunnery and outdated fire-control equipment limit broader technical conclusions.
Chapter · 49:54-58:48
Kountouriotis uses Averof's speed to cross the Ottoman line
At Elli, Kountouriotis detaches Averof from the slower Greek battle line and uses its speed to threaten the Ottoman formation from a commanding angle.