Anniversary of the German invasion of Greece... April 6th. In 1941, Hitler's divisions overthrew the Greek defense in the Forts of the Metaxas Line and then the Greek-British in Central Macedonia. After Kleidi (April 11-12), Kleisoura (April 13-14) and Argos Orestikos – Dispilio (April 15), the Germans had succeeded in disbanding the Greek Department of the Army of Central Macedonia (TSKM) and its two divisions and forcing British in retreat.
On April 15, 1941 the Germans occupied Grevena and on April 19 Larissa. During this period, the Greek forces fighting in Northern Epirus were slowly retreating, sometimes also under pressure from the Italians. The British they couldn't stand the pressure.
However, the consequence of the German successes was the collapse of Greek morale and the appearance of Greek soldiers leaking from their units. These symptoms had already appeared when the occupation of Thessaloniki by the Germans became known, but now they were getting worse. On April 20, the head of the Greek forces in Epirus, Lt. General Tsolakoglou, demanded capitulation, despite the orders of the government and General Papagos.
Regardless of whether everyone agrees or disagrees with this decision, no one can deny that when capitulation was demanded, MILITARY, the Greek forces in Epirus had no hope of escape as the German forces had already cut off their retreat routes. strong>
It should also be emphasized that the Germans had armored and fast-moving forces and were supported by hundreds of aircraft. So if the Greek infantry forces with their horse-propelled artillery tried to escape they would simply turn to dust without having achieved any practical effect. The Greeks fought bravely. The Germans recognized this and either for reasons of propaganda or for practical reasons, they released the captured Greek soldiers.
These are the facts. But some modern "luminaries" have a different opinion. Watching the ERT show "SAN SIMERA" we were happy to see that he mentioned the German invasion of Greece.
The joy, however, turned to anger when we heard the description of the "events" against the authors of the texts which apparently have the approval of the competent authorities. First we were informed about "corrosion" of the Greek army from "Mussolini's 4th August regime". Regardless of how smooth the Metaxas regime was or wasn't, it was the "corroded" Greek army that humiliated the Italians.
"The Greek soldiers defended themselves vigorously and went on the counterattack." Correct. But alone did they defend strongly and go on the counter-attack? Their "corroded" officers did nothing?
We do not even comment on the description of the battle of "Rupel's Forts", nor the phrase "the Greek commander of Eastern Macedonia hastened to sign a surrender", after the Germans entered Thessaloniki. So what exactly was he supposed to do? Guerrilla in the mountains? Should he have let his soldiers be slaughtered without reason and hope?
Could most, if not all, escape? Of course not and of course not only the lack of watercraft, but also another factor that these gentlemen ignore. The Greeks did not act alone, there was also an opponent... the Germans. Transporting 80,000 men and without an opponent is a difficult task, let alone in close contact with the enemy
And it was chosen, unrepentantly, that the Greek front collapsed from within as many Greek senior officers did not fight, did not want to fight...while it is implied that there was betrayal and surrender to the Germans...
"The Greek staffs corroded by pro-German elements had no desire to continue the fight"... From the very beginning, many Greek senior officers considered resistance to the Nazi invader pointless and harmful...
"And on April 20, two weeks after the German invasion, they rush, through the then submissive Prime Minister General Tsolakoglou, to sign a capitulation... Thus, BETRAYED from within, the front collapses...".
But, they continue, the Greek soldiers hid their weapons in their breeches and, returning, began the saga of the national resistance – at which point Velouchiotis on horseback naturally appeared on the screen. Seriously guys? Was there treachery in the Forts?
Was Lieutenant General Bakopoulos a traitor? Were the commanders of Istibei and Kelkaia "corroded traitors" because the forts were captured, after heroic resistance and when nothing else could be done? Were the generals, the colonels, corrupt? From what grade and above did the "corrosion" begin?
Was the commander of the Evros Zisi Brigade who committed suicide on Turkish soil not to surrender his weapon a traitor? Were the defenders of Beles and Krusia traitors? Didn't the Dodecanese fight? of TSCM? Didn't the 3rd Cavalry Regiment fight?; Didn't Major General Moutousis, who was – badly – described as compliant, crush the SS of the Body Guard of the wretched Hitler in Kastoria with the XIII Division?
And if the Greek soldiers hid their weapons in the sacks, is it – we ask now – is this due to the fact that the Germans did not capture them? And maybe, besides Velouchiotis, others also took up arms against the conquerors?
Watch the relevant video HERE (from 09.58 minutes to the end)
"Corroded" top Greek officers in Dachau. From left:Lieutenant General Kosmas, Lieutenant General Bakopoulos, Lieutenant General Papagos, Lieutenant General Pistikas, Lieutenant General Dedes.