with the outbreak of the first balkan war in october 1912, he became captain of "averof" as well as chief of staff to the aegean fleet commander, rear admiral pavlos koundouriotis, who used the "averof" as his flagship. in this capacity he participated in the two victorious naval battles of elli and lemnos, as well as the capture of several aegean islands as well as mount athos, kavala and dedeagatch.