Excerpts from a Scottish Epic
(A glorious moment for our People)
Off Konstantinos Frankos
With this text I express personal opinions that do not claim historical authenticity. I am a student of History without being a historian but, on many subjects, I have reached conclusions without making a dog.
Who said NO?
Ioannis Metaxas meant it. The Italian ambassador was not surprised, he was well aware of the large number of Italian Defense Forces in Albania and he had reached the political decision to say NO. Apparently he informed King George, a man who was blind to the English and carried out his orders.
The NO
IM was not surprised when Ambassador Gratsi paid a late night visit to his home in Kifissia. He expected it, he was prepared and they had the answer ready, in consultation, of course, with the King. The British wanted the Axis Powers to wear down the effort against Greece to slow down the attack on Russia.
He was, as I mentioned above, traditionally German, but also a realist with the ability to predict events, which, at the same time, contains the seeds of patriotism. It cannot be denied. So when the Ambassador arrived at 3am at the Prime Minister’s residence and asked the only constable-guard to leave IM he was met by a stocky little man in a robe de chambre…Please note that there was the dictator-Prime Minister protected by a single Guard. Today, there are 20-30 policemen in cars protecting some former forts, etc. Don’t let Venice lose a needle. We know the rest. IM said NO but “Alors c’ est la guerre” which in Greek means “So we have war”. This was translated into Greek NO. The legend NO. This word, which became a symbol, was said by Metaxas and not by the Greek people. The Prime Minister, knowing the public’s feelings, said what he would say if asked. The people, most of the time, live completely ignorant, in their ignorance and that’s when they need a leader to teach them, to guide them. Woe to him when his leaders are stateless, incompetent, fearful and irresponsible, like today. So, Metaxas said NO and the People and the Army took him and made him a symbol, a flag, a banner, a rage, a zeal against fascism in the mountains of Greece. A People who performed a miracle, which left humanity stunned, speechless. And he continued this miracle, afterwards, with a great National Resistance. There is something similar. When, after the war, at a conference called Winston Churchill a great warlord, the clever Briton replied “The Lion was Britain itself, I only gave the roar”.
These people the never gullible and never treacheroussays Solomon, did the great miracle. IM moved, excited, did everything to strengthen the Army. Before I go on, it must be noted that I am not analyzing the life and situation of the dictator in the years before 28 October. Persecutions of combatants, exiles, tortures of the Asphalites, etc. It is not of the moment.
The development of the fight, the victory was not victorious to please everyone. He turned plans. It is said that IM, who was always staunchly pro-German, acted behind the scenes with German officials to stop the advance and pressure of the Italians in Albania in exchange for the Huns’ non-invasion of Greece. condition that the Country would be. to remain completely neutral, not accepting a single English Sergeant in his territory. This is said to have greatly displeased Basel and the English. Metaxas fell ill “suddenly” from… tonsillitis, at his head were ten chief scientists but unfortunately, he expired on 29-1-41. Not many claim that he was murdered. The successor of Koryzis, accepting the plan of Metaxas, “suicided himself”. In his head, it is said, they found two bullets…
The Scottish Front
The general opinion of the GES was that the main effort in the attack expected from the Italians would be directed towards Epirus and not towards Western Macedonia. Commander VIIM.P. he was a great general, warlord, patriot, Epirotian, Haral. Caitimitros.
On August 24, Commander-in-Chief Papagos sent operational instructions to Katsimitros which stated “The Division’s difficult position is recognised. The Government do not, of course, expect a victory for the Division, owing to the numerical superiority of the opponent. But he hoped from this that he would save the honor of the Greek army…”. The immovable, inventive, charismatic leader Katsimitros does everything to “welcome” the Italians. The plans called for a slow race. The Division would retreat to to the first line of Defense that would leave Yannena and Arta outside.I note that the Division’s personnel, both current and recruited, are Epirotes.
Katsimitros realized that any retreat would destroy the morale of the soldiers and the people.
The rest is known. Declaration of war, Katsimitros not even a meter behind, defense of the border first, counter-attack later. Unrest, Court Martial, Execution, Bravery! Behold the Majesty. This is the saga. This is its creator.
The German invasion, the retreat, the capitalization, the Tsolakoglou Government came. The great, now, Katsimitros heard the appeal of Tsolakoglou to help you. He took over the Ministry of Agriculture and Labour, for a few months where he worked hard. Leave. Property, freedom. The dosilogues, the collaborators, the lads – politicians* who had a good time in Egypt and returned to rule from there, referred Katsimitros to the Military Court “for high treason and collaboration with the conqueror”. The great patriot, to die, G. Seferis writes that “the political system that returned to Greece from Egypt is only souls that are surrendered by public sins. Each in his office (Last Station 1945). He was convicted, imprisoned. Katsimitros, hero of Kalpakios!! Much later it was restored and honored. The Mavragorites continued to rule.
Neo Leonidas, Kathimerini characteristics HK (24-03-07, G. Malouhos
Before I close this commemorative note, I must remind the Greeks that the power of Metaxas, without Metaxas, shortly before he “hit” her to Egypt, for a holiday, handed over to the SS and the Greeks, the communists and the murdered pilots GESTAPO 2000, who were imprisoned in Akronaflia. They were transferred to Katergo Háidari Camp from where they were taken, in batches, to the Executive Detachment! A terrible crime! If Metaxas were alive, he wouldn’t have bet!
Well, these humiliated converts took the Germans, hunted down all Patriotic Resistance and imprisoned Katsimitros. Long live the epic of 1940 and the Greeks who highlighted it pray
const. He is French
Deputy Defense Analyst EA-
Author – DEA Univ. Paris I in Defense