National Organization of Crete
| National Organization of Crete Εθνική Οργάνωση Κρήτης Ethniki Organosi Kritis | |
|---|---|
| Leaders | Andreas Papadakis |
| Dates of operation | 1942-1944 |
| Headquarters | Chania |
| Active regions | Crete |
| Ideology | Greek nationalism, Venizelism, Patriotism, Antifascism, Anticommunism |
| Allies | EDES, EKKA, PEAN, SOE, Greek government in exile |
| Opponents | German Army, Greek collaborationist government, Security Battalions, EAM-ELAS |
| Battles and wars | Battle of Crete |
The National Organization of Crete (Template:Lang-el, abbreviated EOK) was a resistance organization established in the island of Crete with the cooperation and encouragement of British Intelligence during the Axis occupation of Greece in World War II.
Establishment and ideology
EOK was established in October 1942 with the aid of Tom Dunbabin, then SOE Field Commander on Crete. Predominantly Venizelist in sympathy and with members ranging from centre-left to right-wing, EOK was meant to act as a counterweight to the pro-communist EAM resistance organization.[1] EOK evolved from the secret organization AEAK (Template:Lang-el, "Supreme Committee of Cretan Struggle"), that was established in Chania on June 15, 1941.[2] AEAK was founded a mere two weeks after the end of the Battle of Crete by patriots Andreas Papadakis, Ioannis Paizis, Andreas Polentas, Titos Georgiadis and Ioannis Ioannidis.[3] It was the first armed resistance group in Greece, intending to organize an intelligence network and perform sabotage against German occupation forces. During the first months following its establishment, AEAK was based at Colonel Papadakis' house in Vourvoures, near Kallikratis.[4] However, a dispute between the Greeks and the British over its aims and leadership resulted in its disintegration and the formation of EOK.[citation needed]
Despite their ideological differences, EAM and EOK agreed to sign non-aggression pacts during the meetings of Theriso (7/11/1943) and Tromarissa (15/9/1944). These agreements were generally respected and allowed Crete to remain largely unaffected by the civil war between leftists and rightists that broke out in mainland Greece after the withdrawal of German occupation forces.[citation needed]
References
- ^ "Cracked – Θέματα ποικίλης ύλης". Retrieved 30 April 2017.
- ^ "Ο μάρτυρας της ελευθερίας και η πρώτη οργάνωση της Αντίστασης : Η ίδρυση της Α.Ε.Α.Κ.: «Πρωτόκολλον τιμής και θυσίας δια την απελευθέρωσιν της Κρήτης μας»". Retrieved 30 April 2017.
- ^ "Εορτασμός της Εθνικής Αντίστασης 1941-1945, Χανιώτικα Νέα, 25/11/08". Retrieved 30 April 2017.
- ^ Beevor, Antony. Crete: The Battle and the Resistance, John Murray Ltd, 1991. Penguin Books, 1992.
