Meligalas

Meligalas Μελιγαλάς
Location
Meligalas
Coordinates	37°13′N 21°58′E
Location within the regional unit
Government
Country:	Greece
Region:	Peloponnese
Regional unit:	Messenia
Municipality:	Oichalia
Population statistics (as of 2001)
Municipal unit
- Population:	4,040
Other
Time zone:	EET/EEST (UTC+2/3)
Auto:	ΚΜ

Meligalas (Greek: Μελιγαλάς) is a village and a former municipality in Messenia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Oichalia, of which it is a municipal unit. Population 4,040 (2001).

Mass execution of 706 to 1,144 nazi collaborationists

After the Germans left southern Greece terminating the occupation of Kalamata and surrounding Messinia area, Axis Occupation of Greece (1941–1944), the town became the site of a battle between the communist-dominated Greek Resistance forces of EAM-ELAS commanded by Aris Velouchiotis and the Security Battalions that had been stationed in the town during German occupation. After a 14-day siege of the town (Sept. 2, 1944 to Sept. 16, 1944), Meligalas fell to the hands of the Resistance forces. Following the fall of the city, the unknown correctly number of Nazi collaborationists were executed by the partisans for treason and collaboration with the occupation forces. Their bodies were subsequently thrown in a well shaft known as "pigada". Far-right and pro-nazi factions in Greece claim "thousands of civilian casualties", a claim unsupported even by relatives of the executed. After the Occupation and the end of the Greek Civil War, right wing governments used to pay tribute to the executed, a practice which ceased after the fall of the military junta.

Security Battalions cemetery, Pygada, Meligalas