The reconstruction of the Greek Army after the liberation had not proceeded smoothly. The reason was basically the immediate need to deal with the DSE rebellion, but also the presence of foreign military missions – initially British and later American – which were not limited to the tasks of providing armaments and training the Greek forces, but also interfered in organizational matters, but also in the way of conducting business.
These interventions, combined with the practical weakness of the ES in the initial stages of the conflict, were also the main cause of the failures. The consequence of the failures was not the creation of an unpleasant climate in the ranks of the ES administration, especially in the upper and highest echelons. This unfavorable impression, as was natural, also spread to the public opinion of the country, undermining the morale of the people and their trust towards the political and military administration.
As early as 1947, it became clear the need to restore the institution of the chief general, i.e. a supreme commander of the Armed Forces, who together with his staff would be responsible for successes and failures. This person should have the necessary authority to impose himself both on the military hierarchy, as well as on foreign missions and the pressures of the political leadership, and even public opinion. The obvious choice for the position of commander-in-chief was Lieutenant-General Alexandros Papagos, who was surrounded by the glamor of the great triumphs of 1940-41.
After the failure of the ES in the battle of Vichy, the government of Themistocles Sofoulis asked Papagos to submit his proposals regarding his assumption of the position of general-in-chief. Papagos responded immediately by asking for full control of the Armed Forces, the limitation of the role of foreign military missions, the establishment of new military press and information and enlightenment services and above all the abolition of the Supreme Council of National Defense and its replacement by the War Council, which would include the prime minister, the deputy prime minister, the war ministers, the foreign and public order ministers, the commander-in-chief and a member from the American and British military missions – 15 members in total . The conditions were accepted and in January the new Sofouli government assigned Papagos the chief strategy.
The main reason Papagos was qualified for the post of general was his undoubted staff skills, his iron will and determination, and his ability to select the right men for the right position, regardless of his personal likes or dislikes. The prestige he had acquired from the epic match of 1940-41 also played an important role , exploiting which he was able to impose himself on subordinates, but also on foreigners. The Sophouli government passed a special law "on the responsibilities of the general-in-chief" through the Parliament. According to the law, Papagos had the right to decide and draw up the business plans – which in many cases had previously been a brilliant field of intervention for foreign missions.
At the same time, he would be the only person responsible for the promotions and transfers of personnel – thus breaking the factorocracy that prevailed before. Finally, the ES, the PN, the EBA and the Royal Gendarmerie were under his authority. Sofoulis, granting increased powers to Papagos, hoped that he would succeed in instilling discipline and imposing order in the Armed Forces and in general to eliminate all malfeasance in them, but also to limit the role of foreign missions. Papagos did not disappoint him. They were completely successful in their mission and within only six months, the crew and the mistakes of Zachariadis, the final collapse of the DSE took place. Especially with regard to foreign missions, without officially disrupting relations with them, he reduced them to a purely advisory role, proving in practice who was boss.
The daily order of Papagos of January 21, 1949, the day he officially assumed his new duties and the day of the fall of Karpenisi, is interesting.
"Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers, Sailors and Crewmen of the Armed Forces.
"Surrounded by A.M. of the King and the Government with the high and heavy honor of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I extend a heartfelt greeting to you, the Heroic Warriors of the Fatherland and I bow reverently before your Glorious Banners and the Tombs of your heroically fallen Comrades. No one's attention escapes, much less me, how heavy and difficult is the work of the National Army during this critical period of our National life. And no one should forget that in this cruel and relentless war, which a xenophobic and treacherous minority, collaborating with the worst enemies of our Race, waged against our Motherland, everything is at stake.
"Not only our territorial integrity and political independence, but also beyond these, our national traditions, our three thousand years of glorious history, our culture, the future of our children, the altars of our religion, the graves of our ancestors, the honor of our house, for other reasons, this is our survival as a tribe and nation.
With your brilliant achievements so far, you have rightfully become worthy of National gratitude. Your heroic struggles, your privations, your hardships, your endurance and finally your sacrifices allowed the Motherland to live freely in the midst of the Nations and founded on unshakable foundations the faith and trust of our Great Allies in the indomitable vitality and moral strength of the Greek Race.
"But our work did not end there. The country must be finally freed from the miasma of factionalism, and the State of Law and Order must once again be imposed throughout the Territory in all its power and splendor. For while I admire the work you have accomplished so far, I also call on you for your undivided assistance in the completion and success of the rest of it.
"This requires, especially today, the mental elevation of all of us towards a single goal:A quick and decisive victory , as it is the only safe means of saving our Motherland. And this elevation cannot be realized unless we fully understand the terrible dangers surrounding us, acquire a clear understanding of the National duty imposed on each of us, and fully understand our obligations arising from it . Sermons of defeatism or conciliatory alleged efforts should have absolutely no impact on the fighting spirit and will of the National Army for Victory.
"For the success of the intended purpose in spite of everything:
I deserve
-Deep faith in the justice of our ongoing struggle and unwavering devotion to the idea of the Motherland.
-Clear and unreserved understanding of duty towards the Army and the Nation.
- Full understanding and fulfillment of the obligations imposed on all of us by duty and military honor.
-Conscious, spontaneous and iron discipline throughout the hierarchy.
Quick energy, bold initiative, a cool assessment of the situation at any given time, practical and simple solutions, a spirit of quick determination and above all a manifestation in everything and always an unyielding spirit of attack should be the main characteristics of each leader's action. There are no obstacles insurmountable to the one who wants to win and is determined to win. The attack should be the central idea of all energy. Any division unable to advance must be fixed on the ground and prefer to be killed there rather than to retreat.
On the other hand, let it be known that under the present conditions, under which the salvation of the Motherland is a supreme Law and Duty. No violation or deviation from the spirit of this Order will be tolerated. Any laziness, any laxity or negligence or reluctance to carry out Orders, any act betraying a lack of understanding of the national dangers of the present moment, any manifestation of indiscipline or defeatism, any act constituting an attempt to reduce the prestige of the superior authority, any manifestation of irregular manner report to him and any general act contrary to duty and military honor will attract exemplary sanctions against any fault of any degree.
On the other hand, we wish to make it known that we will make every effort to ensure that a spirit of absolute justice and order prevails, a fair division of labor and obligations, a fair awarding of moral remuneration and a clear understanding of the needs among all those serving in the ranks of the National Army. Knowing well the financial needs of the Officers and soldiers and their families, we promise that we will make every effort to treat them, to the extent that is legal and possible.
"Finally let us remain faithful to the idea of the one and indivisible Greek Homeland and let us make every effort so that she emerges from her present trial more bright and glorious, the value of her past, the master of her destinies and in terms of her moral stature exceedingly great and strong, so that she can devote herself undividedly to the task of correcting the of its ruins and to proceed undisturbed in its great civilizing mission, worthy of the high and noble traditions of the Nation. And this happy expectation of the Nation will not be denied, if all of us, even during the final stage of the struggle, up to this point, defiantly and completely fulfill our duty".
Immediately after assuming his duties, Papagos dealt with the most urgent, the recapture of Karpenisi, which he assigned to the commander of the 1st SS General Thrasyvoulos Tsakalotos, who had developed into the evil demon of the DSE. He then proceeded to set up the Western Macedonian Army Command Echelon, the command of which he assigned to General Konstantinos Ventiris, for the better coordination of operations.
“He then carried out a series of unit inspections, up to battalion level, not hesitating to replace a large number of regimental and battalion commanders who were not deemed competent. By the personal inspections he carried out he made it clear to officers and men that what he wanted was victory and nothing less would be tolerated, whatever the consequences.
"In this way he managed to raise the morale of the men and inspire them with confidence in the cause for which they were fighting. His words are typical:"I have ordered the replacement of certain administrations and make it known that I will take the most severe measures against those administrations that do not realize the dangers our Nation is facing and do not develop the required activity and flexibility in every situation presented problem.
“Anyone who does not prove himself capable of meeting the demands of the race will give his place to another, more capable. I believe in victory. I firmly believe that the means we already have are sufficient to significantly improve the situation and remove the initiative of factionalism. I demand from everyone full understanding, perception of duty responsibilities and aggressiveness".