The Hellenic Navy General Staff was established by law on 21 July 1907 and organized by Royal Decree on 12 November of the same year. It ceased to function following the German invasion of Greece in April 1941, and was reconstituted following Liberation in September 1944. During the intervening period, the Royal Hellenic Navy, although run by the Greek government in exile, was subordinated operationally to the British Admiralty. When the Hellenic National Defence General Staff was established in 1950, the HNGS was subordinated to it. During the Cold War, the Chief of the HNGS also fulfilled the duties of NATO Commander Eastern Mediterranean (COMEDEAST).
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