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Entry Five: The Titanomachy
Entry Five: The Titanomachy
With World War 2 over, the Greek Civil War became one of the first conflicts which defined the century as one of ideological struggle. The Greek Government in Exile backed by the British returned to Greece in 1944. The main resistance group of the EAM-ELAS felt unrepresented and unsatisfied with the Greek government which was significantly under the influence of the British. The EAM-ELAS was the resistance wing and partisan force of the KKE or Communist Party of Greece. After the violence in the capital of Athens against leftists, a Provisional Democratic Government was declared in order to overthrow the monarchy. A violent civil war then erupted across Greece. In the countryside, armed Greeks loyal to the newly formed Democratic Army rose up against the Monarchists creating vast swaths of territory under the control of the PDG. The British already had troops in the country and saw the Communist revolt as a major threat. Greece was of major importance to the British and to see it fall into the hands of a Soviet-aligned government was something they could not abide. With this the British intervened, moving almost 100,000 troops into the region. This reaffirmed the confidence of the monarchist government but also raised their arrogance. Fighting was sporadic but bloody, The Democratic Army at first used guerrilla tactics in the mountains and valleys across the country. This bogged down the unwieldy British and Greek forces who were forced all over the country on a wild goose chase against the more maneuverable and smaller partisans. The Democratic Army from 1945 to 1946 engaged in a strategy of people’s war avoiding massive battles with the superior Monarchist forces. In frustration and in an effort to destroy the partisans, the British along with Greeks began a program of emptying villages in forced migrations to quell support from the population for the Democratic Army.
(Partisan unit prepares for a raid on a Monarchist strongpoint (Greece, 1946)
This program however backfired with many Greeks resenting the monarchy propped up by the British and this further swelled the size and influence of the Democratic Army. Another nasty side effect of this policy was the many massacres committed by the monarchist forces. Unfortunately for the monarchists, the war in Britain grew unpopular with the public wanting their boys home alive rather than in coffins. Clement Attlee sought a campaign of withdrawal but continued air support, logistics, and material support to the Greek Monarchists. This policy change couldn’t have happened at a worse time. Democratic Army representatives secretly met in Skopje with representatives of the Yugoslav, Albanian, Bulgarian governments, and most secretly Soviet military advisers. The meeting proved an immense success for the Greek Communists with their respective allies agreeing to provide diplomatic support along with funding, volunteers, and equipment. The Soviets however diplomatically wished not to be seen funding a communist revolution as it ran contradictory to their strict policy of avoiding conflict with the West. Although Stalin and Churchill agreed to the “naughty document”, Molotov managed to convince Stalin that socialism in one country would be threatened by a pro-western power so close to Bulgaria. So therefore as a compromise, the Soviets filtered equipment through Yugoslavia who then gave it to the Democratic Army. Along with this, a massive Yugoslavian expedition force of almost 50,000 veteran partisans crossed the border joining the Democratic Army. Reinforced in equipment, men, logistics, and morale and with the British pullout of Greece in September 1947 the Democratic Army switched its tactics from people’s war to conventional warfare. This policy started with a prepared attack upon Konitsa. With the help of Enver Hoxha's Albania, artillery was safely positioned within the protection of the Albanian border. Previously the Democratic Army had been confined to the countryside and controlled very few towns. This changed with the Battle of Konitsa. A superior numbered force of 15,000 Greeks along with a company of British Commandos held the town. They were well entrenched and were thought to be unshakable. However, thanks to large and accurate artillery strike the Monarchist positions were sent into chaos. Massive assaults began upon the town.
After many days of brutal combat, the Monarchists sent in more forces to the region to trap the Democratic Army into an unwinnable battle. However, this drained and weakened Greek government forces defending Macedonia and Western Thrace. This was intentional on part of the Democratic Army to distract and stalemate the Greek Army. After Operation Hermes, the brainchild of Markos Vafeiadis was launched to seize Macedonia and Western Thrace. Using a combination of local support, guerilla warfare and conventional tactics the communists seized their objectives. Operation Hermes culminated in the Battle of Thessaloniki. Street by street house by house the Communists gained ground. In desperation to hold Thessaloniki, the monarchists redeployed away from Konitsa. However, this redeployment proved to be difficult with the transport of troops slowed thanks to partisans. This redeployment also weakened forces in Konitsa which led to its fall along with Thessaloniki to the Democratic Army. In a complete rout, the Monarchists retreated during the winter of 1947 towards a new defensive line around Ioannina and Larissa thus surrendering the north of Greece to the Communists. The Provisional Democratic Republic then established it’s provisional capital in Thessaloniki.
This battle sent shockwaves throughout Greece and the noncommunist world. The British desperately requested aid and support for the Kingdom of Greece. Wallace however refused (despite Republican outcry) to aid and further British Imperialism. However, despite the wishes of the President, the Office of Strategic Services (the CIA wasn’t established by Wallace) sent surplus military aid in the form of outdated P38s, M2s, and Springfields. This reinforced the Monarchists who were quite shaken from the earlier defeats to steady the newly formed Larisa-Ionian line. The war had turned from an offensive war for the Monarchists into a defensive campaign. As the year of 1948 approached, the world began to focus its attention more on the Civil War in Greece. The British and French were backing the Monarchists while the Soviets, Yugoslavians, and their allies were backing the Communists.
Despite earlier reservations, the Soviets under Stalin began to take more interest in the conflict after the successes in 1947. Through Yugoslavia, the Soviets began sending surplus T34 and even some 85s to the Democratic Army. In total about 1,000 of these tanks saw their way into the hands of the Greeks. Along with the tanks came a top-secret Soviet expeditionary force of engineers and tank mechanics. These were organized into the Ares Guard’s Armored Core which had 2 tank divisions, the 5th Guards “Athena” Armored Division and the 7th Guards “Hercules” Armored Division. To help the Greeks properly use these tanks a Soviet military attache was assigned to the Democratic Army Central Command to advise in the formation and use of the tank divisions. With these new powerful divisions, the Greek Democratic Army prepared an offensive to break the Larissa-Ionian line. Behind the lines, immense revolution and counterrevolution were occurring. In the Communist zone of Greece collectivization and formation of workers, collectives seized the land and industry of the country. Along with this, revolutionary terror behind the frontline occurs with executions of Monarchists, Fascists, and Landlords. In the Monarchist zone of Greece, it was more chaotic. After the news of the Battles of Konitsa and Thessaloniki massive upheaval occurred with more Greeks joining the communist partisans. A white terror began with systematic killings of entire villages found supporting the communists. This did damage to the reputation of the Monarchists as the Communists equated them to the Nazis who occupied Greece some years earlier.
Finally, in May 1948 the Democratic Army was ready. The support of their communist allies had paid off and Operation Zeus, a large-scale offensive, was launched into the Monarchist Larissa-Ionian Line. It began with a massive concentrated bombardment of specific areas of the front. Local spies helped gather intelligence on ammunition depots, barracks, troop concentrations furthering the Communists' success. With their ears bleeding and widespread concussion, the Monarchists prepared in vain to meet the communist offensive. However, a new sound of wheeling tracks presented itself and the Monarchists were horrified to find what awaited them. The Soviet tanks of the Ares Guard’s Armored Core were a shocking surprise to the Monarchists and the world at large. Nothing in the Monarchists arsenal could punch through them. Their outdated anti-tank weapons along with the British supplied 6 Pounders proved of little use other than graves for Monarchist troops. Operation Zeus was a two-pincer maneuver both attempting to cut off Larissa and Thessaloniki from the main monarchist territory of the South. Behind the armor hordes of Greek partisans and infantrymen filled in the gaps. In only a few weeks the Larissa-Ionian snapped in half unable to withstand the massive offensive of the Democratic Army. One advantage the Greek Monarchists had was in airpower. The British meteor jets equipped with rockets and cannons slowed and sometimes even stopped the armor in its tracks. However, even with this advantage, the Monarchists were unable to take advantage of the halts in the offensive and thus the air-support itself proved only a delaying action. Soon the Democratic Army reached the sea on both ends cutting off both cities.
Upon news of this, the Kingdom of Greece made preparations for an evacuation of the Government to the Island of Crete and surrounding islands. The Democratic Army united with the partisans flooded into southern Greece. Major uprisings throughout the countryside threw Monarchist logistics and communication into chaos. Weakened, the Government ordered military units to hold at all costs and to entrench their current positions. However, the Democratic Army instead of engaging in a bloody conflict over towns like they had in Konitsa, bypassed major centers of resistance thus isolating them and letting them fall like ripe fruit. Karditsa, Lamia, Livadia town after town fell to the Democratic Army. Remaining Monarchist forces who obeyed their orders and held their ground were left isolated and were encircled. These units with a choice between death or forgiveness surrendered. The Monarchists who fled raced towards Kalamata and Athens to be evacuated by British ships to loyalist islands and Crete. Soon one afternoon in late August of 1948 leading elements of the 5th Guards “Athena” Armored Division advanced into Athens. A veteran partisan got off the back of a T34-85 and climbed toward the top of the Parthenon. He carried the flag of the Provisional Democratic Republic with him. Reaching the top of the structure he got to the edge and planted the flag. Celebratory gunfire and cheering erupted in the air. Soon many people hiding in Athens broke out into celebration in the streets. One soldier began to sing the opening lyrics of the Internationale in Greek, his squadmates soon joined him as on the hill of the Parthenon the song echoed throughout the city. The Greek Communists had fought hard and won their country for themselves.
In the aftermath of the fall of Athens, there was little resistance. The Democratic Army seized control of the remaining important cities within the mainland. The last military forces of the Monarchists surrendered in Patras. The mainland of Greece now was under the control of the Provisional Democratic Republic. With these, the atrocities committed by the Democratic Army reached their peak many Monarchists even after surrendering were summarily shot. After towns were taken the "People's Civil Guard" like in Republican Spain gathered lists of known right-wing figures had them taken away in trucks. They were never to be heard from again. Reprisal killings were common with partisans executing those who killed their own relatives and comrades in years prior. However, After the fall of Athens, the Soviet-aligned nations recognized the Provisional Democratic Government as the legitimate Greek government. The future General Secretary of the Democratic Republic of Greece Markos Vafiadias said in Athens “Like the Olympians who overthrew the Titans, against all odds we have stood up for our homeland and people”. Remaining monarchists with the help of the Greek Navy (which stayed loyal to the monarchy) relocated to Crete and set up a government in exile. Thus the Greek Civil War drew to a close with only its scars remaining. To this day no one knows the total casualties of the Greek Civil War. Estimates range between 150,000 - 215,000 military deaths and 35,000 - 67,000 civilian deaths which brings the figure to 185,000 (conservative) or 282,000 (liberal) from battle, assassination, summary execution or massacre.
Entry Five: The Titanomachy
With World War 2 over, the Greek Civil War became one of the first conflicts which defined the century as one of ideological struggle. The Greek Government in Exile backed by the British returned to Greece in 1944. The main resistance group of the EAM-ELAS felt unrepresented and unsatisfied with the Greek government which was significantly under the influence of the British. The EAM-ELAS was the resistance wing and partisan force of the KKE or Communist Party of Greece. After the violence in the capital of Athens against leftists, a Provisional Democratic Government was declared in order to overthrow the monarchy. A violent civil war then erupted across Greece. In the countryside, armed Greeks loyal to the newly formed Democratic Army rose up against the Monarchists creating vast swaths of territory under the control of the PDG. The British already had troops in the country and saw the Communist revolt as a major threat. Greece was of major importance to the British and to see it fall into the hands of a Soviet-aligned government was something they could not abide. With this the British intervened, moving almost 100,000 troops into the region. This reaffirmed the confidence of the monarchist government but also raised their arrogance. Fighting was sporadic but bloody, The Democratic Army at first used guerrilla tactics in the mountains and valleys across the country. This bogged down the unwieldy British and Greek forces who were forced all over the country on a wild goose chase against the more maneuverable and smaller partisans. The Democratic Army from 1945 to 1946 engaged in a strategy of people’s war avoiding massive battles with the superior Monarchist forces. In frustration and in an effort to destroy the partisans, the British along with Greeks began a program of emptying villages in forced migrations to quell support from the population for the Democratic Army.
(Partisan unit prepares for a raid on a Monarchist strongpoint (Greece, 1946)
This program however backfired with many Greeks resenting the monarchy propped up by the British and this further swelled the size and influence of the Democratic Army. Another nasty side effect of this policy was the many massacres committed by the monarchist forces. Unfortunately for the monarchists, the war in Britain grew unpopular with the public wanting their boys home alive rather than in coffins. Clement Attlee sought a campaign of withdrawal but continued air support, logistics, and material support to the Greek Monarchists. This policy change couldn’t have happened at a worse time. Democratic Army representatives secretly met in Skopje with representatives of the Yugoslav, Albanian, Bulgarian governments, and most secretly Soviet military advisers. The meeting proved an immense success for the Greek Communists with their respective allies agreeing to provide diplomatic support along with funding, volunteers, and equipment. The Soviets however diplomatically wished not to be seen funding a communist revolution as it ran contradictory to their strict policy of avoiding conflict with the West. Although Stalin and Churchill agreed to the “naughty document”, Molotov managed to convince Stalin that socialism in one country would be threatened by a pro-western power so close to Bulgaria. So therefore as a compromise, the Soviets filtered equipment through Yugoslavia who then gave it to the Democratic Army. Along with this, a massive Yugoslavian expedition force of almost 50,000 veteran partisans crossed the border joining the Democratic Army. Reinforced in equipment, men, logistics, and morale and with the British pullout of Greece in September 1947 the Democratic Army switched its tactics from people’s war to conventional warfare. This policy started with a prepared attack upon Konitsa. With the help of Enver Hoxha's Albania, artillery was safely positioned within the protection of the Albanian border. Previously the Democratic Army had been confined to the countryside and controlled very few towns. This changed with the Battle of Konitsa. A superior numbered force of 15,000 Greeks along with a company of British Commandos held the town. They were well entrenched and were thought to be unshakable. However, thanks to large and accurate artillery strike the Monarchist positions were sent into chaos. Massive assaults began upon the town.
After many days of brutal combat, the Monarchists sent in more forces to the region to trap the Democratic Army into an unwinnable battle. However, this drained and weakened Greek government forces defending Macedonia and Western Thrace. This was intentional on part of the Democratic Army to distract and stalemate the Greek Army. After Operation Hermes, the brainchild of Markos Vafeiadis was launched to seize Macedonia and Western Thrace. Using a combination of local support, guerilla warfare and conventional tactics the communists seized their objectives. Operation Hermes culminated in the Battle of Thessaloniki. Street by street house by house the Communists gained ground. In desperation to hold Thessaloniki, the monarchists redeployed away from Konitsa. However, this redeployment proved to be difficult with the transport of troops slowed thanks to partisans. This redeployment also weakened forces in Konitsa which led to its fall along with Thessaloniki to the Democratic Army. In a complete rout, the Monarchists retreated during the winter of 1947 towards a new defensive line around Ioannina and Larissa thus surrendering the north of Greece to the Communists. The Provisional Democratic Republic then established it’s provisional capital in Thessaloniki.
This battle sent shockwaves throughout Greece and the noncommunist world. The British desperately requested aid and support for the Kingdom of Greece. Wallace however refused (despite Republican outcry) to aid and further British Imperialism. However, despite the wishes of the President, the Office of Strategic Services (the CIA wasn’t established by Wallace) sent surplus military aid in the form of outdated P38s, M2s, and Springfields. This reinforced the Monarchists who were quite shaken from the earlier defeats to steady the newly formed Larisa-Ionian line. The war had turned from an offensive war for the Monarchists into a defensive campaign. As the year of 1948 approached, the world began to focus its attention more on the Civil War in Greece. The British and French were backing the Monarchists while the Soviets, Yugoslavians, and their allies were backing the Communists.
Despite earlier reservations, the Soviets under Stalin began to take more interest in the conflict after the successes in 1947. Through Yugoslavia, the Soviets began sending surplus T34 and even some 85s to the Democratic Army. In total about 1,000 of these tanks saw their way into the hands of the Greeks. Along with the tanks came a top-secret Soviet expeditionary force of engineers and tank mechanics. These were organized into the Ares Guard’s Armored Core which had 2 tank divisions, the 5th Guards “Athena” Armored Division and the 7th Guards “Hercules” Armored Division. To help the Greeks properly use these tanks a Soviet military attache was assigned to the Democratic Army Central Command to advise in the formation and use of the tank divisions. With these new powerful divisions, the Greek Democratic Army prepared an offensive to break the Larissa-Ionian line. Behind the lines, immense revolution and counterrevolution were occurring. In the Communist zone of Greece collectivization and formation of workers, collectives seized the land and industry of the country. Along with this, revolutionary terror behind the frontline occurs with executions of Monarchists, Fascists, and Landlords. In the Monarchist zone of Greece, it was more chaotic. After the news of the Battles of Konitsa and Thessaloniki massive upheaval occurred with more Greeks joining the communist partisans. A white terror began with systematic killings of entire villages found supporting the communists. This did damage to the reputation of the Monarchists as the Communists equated them to the Nazis who occupied Greece some years earlier.
Finally, in May 1948 the Democratic Army was ready. The support of their communist allies had paid off and Operation Zeus, a large-scale offensive, was launched into the Monarchist Larissa-Ionian Line. It began with a massive concentrated bombardment of specific areas of the front. Local spies helped gather intelligence on ammunition depots, barracks, troop concentrations furthering the Communists' success. With their ears bleeding and widespread concussion, the Monarchists prepared in vain to meet the communist offensive. However, a new sound of wheeling tracks presented itself and the Monarchists were horrified to find what awaited them. The Soviet tanks of the Ares Guard’s Armored Core were a shocking surprise to the Monarchists and the world at large. Nothing in the Monarchists arsenal could punch through them. Their outdated anti-tank weapons along with the British supplied 6 Pounders proved of little use other than graves for Monarchist troops. Operation Zeus was a two-pincer maneuver both attempting to cut off Larissa and Thessaloniki from the main monarchist territory of the South. Behind the armor hordes of Greek partisans and infantrymen filled in the gaps. In only a few weeks the Larissa-Ionian snapped in half unable to withstand the massive offensive of the Democratic Army. One advantage the Greek Monarchists had was in airpower. The British meteor jets equipped with rockets and cannons slowed and sometimes even stopped the armor in its tracks. However, even with this advantage, the Monarchists were unable to take advantage of the halts in the offensive and thus the air-support itself proved only a delaying action. Soon the Democratic Army reached the sea on both ends cutting off both cities.
Upon news of this, the Kingdom of Greece made preparations for an evacuation of the Government to the Island of Crete and surrounding islands. The Democratic Army united with the partisans flooded into southern Greece. Major uprisings throughout the countryside threw Monarchist logistics and communication into chaos. Weakened, the Government ordered military units to hold at all costs and to entrench their current positions. However, the Democratic Army instead of engaging in a bloody conflict over towns like they had in Konitsa, bypassed major centers of resistance thus isolating them and letting them fall like ripe fruit. Karditsa, Lamia, Livadia town after town fell to the Democratic Army. Remaining Monarchist forces who obeyed their orders and held their ground were left isolated and were encircled. These units with a choice between death or forgiveness surrendered. The Monarchists who fled raced towards Kalamata and Athens to be evacuated by British ships to loyalist islands and Crete. Soon one afternoon in late August of 1948 leading elements of the 5th Guards “Athena” Armored Division advanced into Athens. A veteran partisan got off the back of a T34-85 and climbed toward the top of the Parthenon. He carried the flag of the Provisional Democratic Republic with him. Reaching the top of the structure he got to the edge and planted the flag. Celebratory gunfire and cheering erupted in the air. Soon many people hiding in Athens broke out into celebration in the streets. One soldier began to sing the opening lyrics of the Internationale in Greek, his squadmates soon joined him as on the hill of the Parthenon the song echoed throughout the city. The Greek Communists had fought hard and won their country for themselves.
In the aftermath of the fall of Athens, there was little resistance. The Democratic Army seized control of the remaining important cities within the mainland. The last military forces of the Monarchists surrendered in Patras. The mainland of Greece now was under the control of the Provisional Democratic Republic. With these, the atrocities committed by the Democratic Army reached their peak many Monarchists even after surrendering were summarily shot. After towns were taken the "People's Civil Guard" like in Republican Spain gathered lists of known right-wing figures had them taken away in trucks. They were never to be heard from again. Reprisal killings were common with partisans executing those who killed their own relatives and comrades in years prior. However, After the fall of Athens, the Soviet-aligned nations recognized the Provisional Democratic Government as the legitimate Greek government. The future General Secretary of the Democratic Republic of Greece Markos Vafiadias said in Athens “Like the Olympians who overthrew the Titans, against all odds we have stood up for our homeland and people”. Remaining monarchists with the help of the Greek Navy (which stayed loyal to the monarchy) relocated to Crete and set up a government in exile. Thus the Greek Civil War drew to a close with only its scars remaining. To this day no one knows the total casualties of the Greek Civil War. Estimates range between 150,000 - 215,000 military deaths and 35,000 - 67,000 civilian deaths which brings the figure to 185,000 (conservative) or 282,000 (liberal) from battle, assassination, summary execution or massacre.
- RedHistorian1917
- Word Count: 2.1k