At the outbreak of the Greco-Italian War on 28 October 1940 he was Major General commanding the 1st Infantry Division, with which he played a major role in the Greek victory in the Battle of Pindus. During the Axis occupation of Greece, he was arrested and imprisoned in Italy and Germany, being released in 1945. Reinstated in the Army, he was promoted to Lieutenant General in 1946, before retiring in 1948. He was elected an MP in 1951 and 1952.