Evripidis Bakirtzis, Greek soldier and politician (d. 1947)

Evripidis Bakirtzis (Greek: Ευριπίδης Μπακιρτζής; 16 January 1895 – 9 March 1947) was a prominent figure in 20th-century Greek political and military history, known for his unwavering republican convictions and his significant role in the Greek Resistance during World War II. Born in Serres, a city then part of the Ottoman Empire, Bakirtzis's life was marked by turbulent political periods, military service, and periods of exile.

Early Military Career and Republican Convictions

Evripidis Bakirtzis embarked on a career as an officer in the Hellenic Army. His military service, however, was frequently interrupted by his strong pro-republican views in a Greece often torn between monarchist and republican factions. He was notably dismissed from the army twice due to his active participation in pro-republican coup attempts, which aimed to establish a republic over the monarchy. These actions underscore his consistent commitment to a republican form of government, a stance that led to severe consequences, including being sentenced to death on more than one occasion for his political activism. Such incidents highlight the intense political polarization and instability that characterized Greece in the interwar period, where military interventions and political purges were common as different ideologies vied for power.

Leading the Greek Resistance: From EKKA to EAM/ELAS

With the Axis Occupation of Greece during World War II, Evripidis Bakirtzis emerged as a key leader in the burgeoning Greek Resistance movement. He was instrumental in the co-founding of the National and Social Liberation (EKKA) resistance group. Alongside Colonel Dimitrios Psarros, a fellow officer with a more royalist but equally patriotic background, Bakirtzis, who held the crucial position of military head of EKKA, aimed to establish a non-communist, republican-leaning resistance force. EKKA's primary objective was to liberate Greece from occupation and establish a republican system post-war, seeking to offer an alternative to the dominant, communist-led National Liberation Front (EAM).

Despite his initial leadership in EKKA, Bakirtzis later joined and became a prominent member of the powerful National Liberation Front (EAM), which, with its formidable military wing, the Greek People's Liberation Army (ELAS), became the largest and most influential resistance organization in occupied Greece. His transition to EAM/ELAS was a significant development, reflecting the complex and often shifting alliances within the Greek Resistance, as well as EAM's growing influence and capacity to unite disparate elements against the occupiers, drawing in figures like Bakirtzis with strong anti-monarchist leanings.

Leadership of the "Mountain Government" (PEEA)

A testament to his political acumen and prominence within the resistance, Bakirtzis served as the head of the Political Committee of National Liberation (PEEA) from 10 March to 18 April 1944. This body, widely known as the "Mountain Government," functioned as a provisional administration for territories liberated by the Greek Resistance, primarily under EAM/ELAS control. The PEEA was a direct challenge to the authority of the Greek government-in-exile in Cairo and aimed to consolidate resistance efforts, administer liberated areas, and prepare for a post-occupation political framework for Greece. His brief tenure at the helm of this crucial wartime administration further solidified his legacy as a central figure in Greece's struggle for liberation, demonstrating the breadth of his influence across different resistance factions.

"The Red Colonel": A Political Moniker

Evripidis Bakirtzis earned the notable nickname "the Red Colonel" (ο Κόκκινος Συνταγματάρχης), a moniker that encapsulated his progressive political leanings and association with the left. This nickname originated from his pen name used in articles published in Rizospastis, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE). While not necessarily a card-carrying communist in his early career, his staunch republicanism and later deep involvement with EAM/ELAS firmly aligned him with the broader left-wing and anti-establishment movements in Greece, making the nickname widely recognized and representative of his political identity within the turbulent Greek landscape.

Exile and Mysterious Death During the Civil War

The post-World War II period in Greece quickly descended into a brutal civil war (1946-1949) between the government forces, supported by the Western Allies, and the Democratic Army of Greece (DSE), which was the military arm of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and successor to ELAS. Amidst this profound turmoil and political persecution, Evripidis Bakirtzis found himself in exile. Tragically, he was found dead on 9 March 1947, in Fournoi Korseon, an isolated island complex in the Aegean Sea that was frequently used as a place of internal exile for political dissidents. The circumstances surrounding his death remain a subject of historical debate and uncertainty, adding a layer of mystery to the end of a life dedicated to political activism and national liberation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Evripidis Bakirtzis

What was Evripidis Bakirtzis known for?

Evripidis Bakirtzis was a Hellenic Army officer and politician renowned for his unwavering republican convictions. He played a crucial role in the Greek Resistance during World War II, notably as a co-founder and military head of the National and Social Liberation (EKKA) and later as a prominent member of the National Liberation Front (EAM) and its military wing, the Greek People's Liberation Army (ELAS). He also briefly led the "Mountain Government" (PEEA).

What was his role in the Greek Resistance during World War II?

He initially co-founded and served as the military head of the National and Social Liberation (EKKA) organization, aiming for a republican resistance. Subsequently, he joined the more dominant National Liberation Front (EAM) and its military wing, the Greek People's Liberation Army (ELAS), becoming a prominent figure within the movement. His highest position in the resistance was leading the Political Committee of National Liberation (PEEA), also known as the "Mountain Government," for a short period in 1944.

What was the "Mountain Government"?

The "Mountain Government" was the colloquial name for the Political Committee of National Liberation (PEEA), a provisional government established by the Greek Resistance, primarily EAM/ELAS, in territories liberated from Axis occupation during World War II. It served as a de facto administration, responsible for governance and preparing for the post-war political landscape, challenging the authority of the government-in-exile.

Why was Evripidis Bakirtzis called "the Red Colonel"?

He earned the distinctive nickname "the Red Colonel" (ο Κόκκινος Συνταγματάρχης) because he used it as a pen name when contributing articles to Rizospastis, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE). This moniker reflected his strong left-leaning political views and his association with the broader left-wing movement in Greece, despite his varied affiliations throughout his career.

What happened to Evripidis Bakirtzis after World War II?

Following the end of World War II and during the tumultuous onset of the Greek Civil War, Evripidis Bakirtzis was in exile. He was tragically found dead on 9 March 1947, in Fournoi Korseon, an island complex frequently used for the internal exile of political dissidents. The exact circumstances surrounding his death are not definitively known and remain a topic of historical discussion.