National Republican Greek League

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The National Republican Greek League (Εθνικός Δημοκρατικός Ελληνικός Σύνδεσμος, Ethnikos Dimokratikos Ellinikos Syndesmos, abbreviated EDES)

Background

The National Republican Greek League was one of the few major resistance groups formed during the Axis Powers occupation of Greece during World War II. The National Republican Greek League was founded as the only acceptable alternative to the National Liberation Front, another Greek Resistance organization. This Greek Resistance movement was led by former army officer, colonel Napoleon Zervas and was formed in September of 1941. Most resistance groups formed after World War II were divided into Non-communist and communist resistance groups. The National Republican Greek League was the most important of the anti-communism resistance groups. The National Republican Greek League, known by its greek initials EDES, was stationed exclusively in northwestern Greece.

The National Republican Greek League had a strong dislike towards the exiled King George II. The members of the National Republican Greek League accused King George of causing the hard times endured by the Metaxas Dictatorship. Both The National Republican Greek League (EDES) and the National and Social Liberation (EKKA) were strongly against King George’s return to Greece. Both groups openly resisted King George’s Return to Greece by, instead, following the authority of General Nikolaos Plastiras, the republican leader, who was living in exile in France.

Other Resistance Groups During Axis Control

The National Republican Greek League was not the only resistance group following World War II. Another anti-communism group called the National and Social Liberation, known by the greek letter EKKA, headed by Demetrios Psarras, was formed during the Axis occupation of Greece during World War II. The National and Social Liberation was primarily located in central Greece. The organizations goals were to fight the germans during the Axis occupation of Greece until the Axis occupation had ended and then work for social change. There were also many communist groups including the Greek Communist Party (KKE), the Communist National Liberation Front (EAM), and the Peoples Liberation Army (ELAS). The Greek Communist party (KKE) was the first communist party founded in 1940. The Greek Communist party was the first to demand resistance and was eventually joined by other resistance groups including the National Liberation Front (Greece) (EAM) and the Peoples Liberation Army (ELAS). The National Liberation Front (Greece) (EAM) was the main movement of the Greek Resistance. EAM was founded in September of 1941 around the same time as the National Republican Greek League. EAM was the main group behind the communist party of Greece (KKE). EAM was the strongest resistance group, especially after the fall of The National Republican Greek League (EDES) and the National and Social Liberations(EKKA). The third major communist resistance group, the Peoples Liberation Army, was the military arm of the left-wing National Liberation Front (EAM) until February of 1945.

Sabotage of Gorgopotamos Bridge

The National Republican Greek League, lead by Napoleon Zervas, possessing an army about 10,000 men strong joined forces with its Western Allied support destroying Gorgopotamos bridge holding a German railrod connecting Thessaloniki, Athens and Gorgopotamos Gorge in central Greece. This act devastated Nazi Forces in central Greece by severing a supply line from Germany to Rommel's Afrika Korps. However after this act of resistance, Britan support began to lose touch with The National Republican Greek League (EDES) and other resistance groups throughout the medditeranean due to the prime minister, Winston Churchill’s strong focus on the Greek monarchy.

Civil War Within Greece

By the end of 1942, Greek resistance activity came to a hault due to internal conflict over the direction of the government after the end of World War II. These internal conflicts caused rivalry between resistance groups and eventually escalated into civil war. In October of 1943 the Peoples Liberation Army (ELAS), the military arm of EAM, launched an attack on its rivals, espescially The National Republican Greek League(EDES). These attacks triggered a civil war that would last until February of 1944. At this time the National Liberation Front (EAM) was the strongest of all resistance groups. EAM attacked all non-communist resistance organizations in order to gain dominant controll over all of the resistance groups. EAM accused The National Republican Greek League (EDES) of collaberating with German and Axis forces in order to gain control over all anti-communist organiztions, knowing that Allies would soon invade and take back control over Greece. By becoming the dominant resistance organization The National Liberation Front (EAM) would be able to control the future of government during postwar Greece.

Anti-Communist Downfall in Greece

The National Republican Greek League (EDES) was slowly torn apart after Napoleon Zervas left Athens in 1942. The organization was plagued with fierce fighting within the organization and dissapeared soon thereafter.

As for The National Social Liberation (EKKA), the only major remaining anti-communist organization, they remained until April 17, 1944 where ELAS forces attacked The National Social Liberation in order to secure the political future of Greece. Dimitrios Psarros was captured, shot stabbed and killed. Many other members of EKKA were captured by ELAS forces and were tortured before they were killed. This attack marked the end of The National Social Liberation (EKKA).

Sources

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Last updated on Thursday February 21, 2008 at 12:38:37 PST (GMT -0800)
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