Meligalas

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Meligalas (Μελιγαλάς) is a municipality in Messenia, Greece. Population 4,040 (2001).

The Massacre

Meligalas is the site of a battle and massacre during the Greek Civil War (1944-1949) on September 2-16, 1944, during and after fighting between EAM-ELAS commanded by Aris Velouchiotis and the Security Battalions stationed in the town. After a 14 day siege, the Security Battalion commanders negotiated a cease-fire and surrender. What resulted instead was the forced march and summary execution of the Battalionists along with 1,500 non-combatant civilians from the town. They were buried in a mass grave--a well shaft--known as "pigada". The Greek Government, from 1949 to 1974 participated in the memorial services at the site of the mass graves. After 1974, government representation at the memorial services was banned.

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Last updated on Thursday February 14, 2008 at 22:18:00 PST (GMT -0800)
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