Figure 1.--Aris Velouchiotis emerged as the mot effective guerilla fighter in the Greek resistance. The caption of this press photograph read, "Greek Fighter Born in U.D.: Aris Velouchiotis (right), Greek Andartie leader, is shown with one of his aides, 15-year-old Louis Petropoulagos, who was born in Cleveland, O(hio), and came to this countryn in 1936. He has taken part in some 14 battles." We are not sure Louis was an aide (in the sence of an important adviser, but it made useful copy for American newspapers. The photograph was taken November 16, 1944 after the Germans had evacuated the Balkans, but the confrontatiin with theBritish and Royal Government was shaping up.

The important pre-War political parties counceled acquiesence to the invaders. As a result a major political transfornation ocuured during the occupation. The absence of a legitimate government and the lack of opposition from the established political class resulted in a power vacuum. And it mean that there was no rallying point for the Greek people. Most Army officers and citizens who wanted to continue the fight fled to British-controlled Egypt where the fightvwasragingb for the Western Desert. The bulk of the population were unsure of their fate under Axis occuoatiin and their ability to effectively resist. Axis reprisals were savage. Armed resistance began in the north without any real organization. The first major resistance actions ocuurred in northeast Greece in the area occupied by Bulgaria. The population spontabeously reacted to Bulgarization policies (September 1941). The Bulgarian Army reacted savegly. Demonstrations were also organized in Greek Macedonian cities by the Defenders of Northern Greece (YVE) protest against the Bulgarian annexation of Greek territory. The first Andartes (guerillas / αντάρτες ) forned in the rugged mountains Macedonia (October 1941). The Greeks formed enirely new new groupings outside the established political structure, except the small Communist Party. With the pre-War establishment absent, these new groups took on the role of resisting the Axis occupation. The most important component was the Communist dominated EAM/ELAS. There were also smaller less well organized non-Communist groups. All the improtant resistance groups advocated armed resistance to the AXIS occupation. They were also republican in sentiment. The rugged Greek mountains and poor road infrastructure made possible for these groups to stage an armed resistance that the more advanced countries like the Netherland, Denmark, and France were unable to cinduct.

EPON

Eniaia Panelladiki Organosi Neon (Unified Panhellenic Youth Organisation --EPON was the youth wing of the National Liberation Front (EAM) organization. Of all youth organizations of resistance, the most active one, at the village level was EPON. EAM founded EPON, but it included the youth auxileries other political and resistance youth organizations (February 1943).

EAM/ELAS

The Ethniko Apeleftherotiko Metopo (National Liberation Front - EAM) was founded created by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and several smaller mostly left-wing parties and organizations (September 27, 1941). The major political parties refused to support EAM or in any other resistance group. The Communist Party was very small before the War, but Communist organization lent otself to armed resistance. At first the KKE was under orders from Moscow not to resist the Germans. Hitler's invasion of the Soviet Union (June 1941)) changed this. The KKE cooperated with other political parties to resist the Germans, Italians, and Bulgarians. EAM thus welcomeed a broad spectrum of political support and to attract non-Communists called for democratic elections to determine Greece's future after the German defeat. The aims of EAM were the liberation of Greece from the Axis occupation forces through armed resistance and the establishment of a provisional government in the liberated zones. Even though it was organized by KKE, EAM was open to everyone, although he KKE execized conrol. The military branch of EAM was the Ethnikos Laikos Apeleftherotikos Stratos (National Popular Liberation Army -- (ELAS). The acronym chosen was largely symbollic: ELLAS (Greece) was very close to ELAS. EAM developed as the most powerful resistance movement in Europe, claiming more than 1.8 million members. The entire Greek population was aabout 7.5 million at the time. EAM/ELAS did not actively resist the Axis occupiers at first, because of the overwealming force of the Grmans and the ferocity of reprisals. The Red Army Winter offensive before Moscow (December 1941) and continued Bitish resistance in Egypt gave hope that theGemans could be defeated. In addition orders from Moscow demanded actiin against the occupation forces. EAM gave permission to veteran Communist Party organizer, Athanasios (Thanasis) Klaras who becameb known as Aris Velouchiotis) to examine the possibilities of launching an armed resistance movement (February 16, 1942). ELAS began organizing the andartes (guerrillas) bans. Some had already formed. New ones were organized. Attacks on theBulagrians, Germans, and Italias began. Some of the most important actios were blowing up the Gorgopotamos bridge (with the EDES partisans and British commandos) and the battl of Mikro Horio.

Non-Communist Resistance

There were also non-Communist resistance groups. They were organized later than ELAS and not nearly as effective in carrying out attacks on Axis occupation forces. The National Republican Greek League (EDES), led by Napoleon Zervas a former Army officer. Exiled republican General Nikolaos Plastiras was the nominal leader. They did not begin began military action until after ELAS was formed. The National and Social Liberation (EKKA) was led by Demetrios Psarras.

SNOF

The Slavjanomakedonski Narodno Osloboditelen Front (Slavomacedonian National Liberation Front -- SNOF) was founded (1943). It was the first ethnic Macedonian armed military organization. It was organized by ethnic Macedonian members of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE). Before the creation of the SNOF, ethnic Macedonian military detachments in Greek Macedonia (northern Greece) participated in the Greek National People's Liberation Army (ELAS).

Created: March 20, 2003
Last updated: 2:23 AM 12/13/2013