On 28 October 1940, when Greece entered World War II, he was positioned in Epirus, as a commander of the 1st Battery of the Vth Artillery Regiment, part of the 8th Infantry Division. During the Fascist Italian invasion at the sector of Elaia–Kalamas he participated in the defense and his battery and inflicted serious damage to the attacking enemy, who was soon repulsed from Greek soil. During the next months he participated in the counter offensive, which resulted in the successful advance of the Greek forces deep into enemy-held territory.