Forces of the Communist-controlled Greek People's Liberation Army attack the smaller National and Social Liberation resistance group, which surrenders. Its leader Dimitrios Psarros is murdered.

The Greek Resistance movement stands as a complex and often dramatic chapter in modern Greek history, emerging as a powerful, albeit fragmented, response to the harsh Axis occupation during World War II. From 1941 to 1944, a diverse array of clandestine groups rose to challenge the German, Italian, and Bulgarian forces, playing a crucial role in the Allied war effort. This period, however, was not just about the fight against foreign occupiers; it was also a crucible for profound internal divisions and ideological struggles that would shape the nation's destiny for decades to come.

The Greek People's Liberation Army (ELAS)

Among the various factions fighting for Greece's freedom, the Greek People's Liberation Army (Greek: Ελληνικός Λαϊκός Απελευθερωτικός Στρατός, often abbreviated to ΕΛΑΣ, or ELAS) emerged as the most dominant and militarily significant organization. It served as the armed wing of the National Liberation Front (EAM), a powerful left-wing political resistance movement founded in September 1941. EAM, heavily influenced and largely led by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), quickly garnered immense popular support, particularly in the vast rural areas and among the working class. Its appeal lay in its promise of not only liberation from foreign occupation but also significant social and political reforms, envisioning a more equitable post-war Greece.

ELAS's operational period spanned the majority of the Axis occupation, during which it engaged in extensive guerrilla warfare, sabotage operations, and vital intelligence gathering against the occupying forces. Its sheer size and strategic effectiveness allowed it to control substantial swathes of Greek territory, particularly in the mountainous interior, which became a vital base for its operations. The organization was instrumental in harassing Axis supply lines, disrupting enemy communications, and tying down significant enemy troops who might otherwise have been deployed to other fronts.

However, the narrative of Greek resistance was far from unified. Despite its strength, ELAS found itself increasingly embroiled in bitter ideological and territorial conflicts with other non-communist resistance groups, most notably the National Republican Greek League (EDES) and the National and Social Liberation (EKKA). These internecine clashes, often viewed as a precursor or the "first round" of the Greek Civil War, significantly complicated the struggle against the Axis and foreshadowed the deeper societal divisions that would plague Greece in the immediate post-war period.

The active phase of ELAS came to an abrupt end in February 1945, following a period of intense escalation and devastating clashes known as the Dekemvriana (December Events) in Athens. These fierce urban battles, which erupted in December 1944 immediately after the liberation of Greece, pitted ELAS forces against British troops and the newly formed Greek government's security forces. The confrontation, essentially a desperate attempt by EAM/ELAS to assert control over post-liberation Greece, ultimately ended in their military defeat. This pivotal moment led directly to the signing of the Varkiza Agreement on February 12, 1945. Under the terms of this agreement, ELAS was formally disarmed and disbanded, marking the cessation of its military activities and the tragic conclusion of its role as a primary resistance force, though the underlying political tensions persisted and soon escalated into a full-blown civil war.

Dimitrios Psarros and the National and Social Liberation (EKKA)

In stark contrast to the left-leaning ELAS, another significant, albeit smaller, force in the Greek Resistance was the National and Social Liberation (Greek: Εθνική και Κοινωνική Απελευθέρωσις, ΕΚΚΑ, Ethniki Kai Kinoniki Apeleftherosis). This organization distinguished itself as a republican and staunchly anti-communist entity, representing a different ideological current within the broader resistance movement. Its founder and charismatic leader was Dimitrios Psarros (1893 – April 17, 1944), a distinguished Greek army officer whose career reflected a deep commitment to democratic principles and national service.

Psarros, a seasoned veteran of the Balkan Wars and World War I, brought significant military experience and leadership acumen to the burgeoning resistance movement. Under his command, EKKA established its operational presence primarily in Central Greece, particularly in the mountainous regions around Mount Giona. While EKKA was considerably smaller in scale compared to the dominant ELAS and EDES, it nonetheless played a vital role in the resistance by conducting targeted operations against Axis forces and, at times, collaborating with British liaison officers. EKKA's ideology firmly adhered to liberal republicanism, advocating for a democratic post-war Greece free from both foreign occupation and what it perceived as the totalitarian ambitions of communism. This distinct political stance frequently placed EKKA at odds with the more expansive political and territorial goals of EAM/ELAS.

Tragically, Dimitrios Psarros's leadership and EKKA's organized existence were cut short by the pervasive internal conflicts that ultimately plagued the Greek Resistance. On April 17, 1944, during a period of intense internecine fighting between the various resistance groups, Psarros was captured and subsequently executed by ELAS forces. His untimely death served as a stark and grim reminder of the brutal power struggles that unfolded even as the country remained under foreign occupation. The elimination of Psarros and the effective dissolution of EKKA as an organized military force underscored the deep ideological chasms and the desperate struggle for post-war dominance among the various Greek resistance movements, tragically turning former comrades-in-arms against each other in a grim prelude to the devastating Greek Civil War.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What was the primary goal of the Greek Resistance during World War II?

The primary goal shared by all Greek Resistance groups was to liberate Greece from the brutal Axis occupation (German, Italian, and Bulgarian forces) and restore national sovereignty. However, beneath this shared objective lay significant ideological differences regarding the future political and social structure of post-war Greece.

How did ELAS differ from other resistance groups like EKKA and EDES?

ELAS was the military arm of the left-wing, communist-influenced National Liberation Front (EAM), advocating for significant social reforms and a popular-front government in post-war Greece. EKKA (National and Social Liberation), led by Dimitrios Psarros, was a republican and anti-communist organization that sought a democratic state free from both foreign influence and communist dominance. EDES (National Republican Greek League) was another prominent republican and anti-communist group, often aligned with the British and advocating for the return of a constitutional monarchy or a strong republican system. These fundamental ideological differences frequently led to armed clashes among them.

What were the Dekemvriana and the Varkiza Agreement?

The Dekemvriana, or December Events, refer to intense armed clashes that took place in Athens in December 1944, immediately after Greece's liberation. They involved ELAS forces fighting against British troops and the newly formed Greek government's security forces for control of the capital and, ultimately, the political direction of the country. The Varkiza Agreement, signed in February 1945, was a peace treaty that officially ended the Dekemvriana. Its terms led to the disarmament and disbandment of ELAS and outlined steps for national reconciliation, including a plebiscite on the monarchy and parliamentary elections, though it ultimately failed to prevent the Greek Civil War.

Why was Dimitrios Psarros's death significant?

Dimitrios Psarros's death on April 17, 1944, at the hands of ELAS forces, was a deeply tragic and symbolic event that underscored the severe internal conflicts plaguing the Greek Resistance. It effectively led to the collapse of EKKA, a major republican and anti-communist resistance group, and starkly highlighted the profound ideological rifts and power struggles that, even amidst foreign occupation, contributed significantly to the outbreak of the devastating Greek Civil War.