October 28, 1940 - Greece Says No to Axis

This post was originally published on October 28, 2010.

All Greeks feel an outstanding movement when they recall in their memory the epic facts of an heroic era: 1940. Indeed, those great and glorious events sealed with indelible glory the historic evolution of the Hellenic nation.

It is true that the nation feels exceptional pride for the great "NO" on the 28th of October 1940, said by the Hellenic people at the very early dawn of that historic day.

"The League of Nations, that supported the hopes of all nations for constant peace, was literally disintegrated and lost any substantial significance, after USA withdrew, in a mood of isolation, from the Organization, followed by Germany in 1939, Italy in 1935, as well as an antagonism in showing "peace loving" attitude by the rest of the Western Democracies, mainly England and France, that could not timely foresee and realize the coming threat of war. "

The Hellenic Epic of 1940, a phenomenon psychologically and historically unexpected for the entire world, was unjustly treated by the events that followed : occupation, resistance, executions, the December 1944 coup, the first post-war years, the outburst of the nuclear era, these were facts that shadowed the previous deeds, sealing, and locking-in that chapter of history, before having the chance to explore its monumental significance, a chapter that was only opened after the country’s liberation from the German boot.

The generation of the '40s proved, once more, that the sacred passion for the freedom of the country is the ultimate duty for all Greeks, who have repeatedly proved it during their age-long existence, and they will not cease to do the same, as long as they live in this beautiful country.

by LTC (Armor) Ioannis Georgoussis
Translated by: Translation Office / HAGS

Cyprus' Contribution to the 1940 Hellenic Epic

• 20,000 Greek Cypriots including 800 women supported the Greek cause against the Axis
• 15,000 wedding rings were given to support Greece's fight for freedom against all-mighty Italy.
• 40 Greek Cypriot students joined the Greek army.
• Turkish Cypriots also supported the Greek cause for freedom.
• Thousands of Greek Cypriots were arrested and captured in Peloponese and Crete.
• 650 Greek Cypriots were killed in the battlefield and buried in 12 different countries.

Information collected from Phileleftheros Online

Comments

[Constantinos T]

Adolph Hitler himself said in the speech he delivered to Reichstagon on May 4, 1941:
"For the sake of historic truth, I must verify that only the Greeks of all the adversaries who confronted us fought with bold courage and highest disregard of death."

One of the most touching episodes of the early resistance took place just after the Germans reached the Acropolis on April 27 1941. The Germans ordered the flag guard, Evzone Konstandinos Koukidis, to retire the Greek flag. The Greek soldier obeyed, but when he was done, he wrapped himself in the flag and threw himself off the plateau where he met death.

[Lakis Ioannou]

On October 1940, the Greeks gave the world, and Germany in particular, a great lesson of heroism, determination and self-denial. The Hellenic Nation contributed largely to the end of a senseless war that caused so much suffering and loss of life. Personally, I feel very proud of my grandfather who had joined the Greek army like many other Greek Cypriots and fought against the Italian forces in the mountains of Albania.

[Haruko N]

Thanks for sharing this very interesting part of Greek history. I enjoyed reading it and learning more about Greece.