At the sound of his name, Turks and Bulgarians froze. Gerasimos Raftopoulos, 12 years old… The youngest, Greek non-commissioned officer who, with his actions on the battlefields, proved that bravery, courage and heroism are goods that do not fit into any mold and have no specifications. But they want and require a soul!
12-year-old soldier Gerasimos Raftopoulos fought during the Balkan Wars. With a height that did not exceed 140-150 centimeters, which made it difficult for him to even mount his horse, he proved that bravery and courage have nothing to do with age. He was born in Fiskardo, Kefalonia, in 1900. As soon as the First Balkan War broke out, he left his island, heading for Piraeus with the ultimate goal of serving his homeland….
The 12-year-old child was treated ironically at first since, according to those in charge, "war is only for men." Little Gerasimos did not flinch. He would achieve his goal in another way. So he left the building and immediately went to the train station, which was full of soldiers and supplies leaving for the front. Small as he was, he managed not to be noticed by the guards and under their eyes he entered a carriage full of soldiersHis destination is Larissa and its 18th Infantry Regiment. IV Division. He joined the line and introduced himself to the Commander. He laughed but eventually took him as a "child of the Regiment." Since the little boy wanted to fight so much, they would make him do painless auxiliary tasks, such as carrying orders, writing letters, doing errands, and anything else that didn't put his life in danger.
But the little boy had other plans in mind, mainly to prove that his role was not decorative.. He received his baptism of fire in the battle of Elassona (6-10-1912). Everyone was impressed with the 12-year-old hero who fought with courage, boldness and determination like an experienced soldier. The spoils he took in the fighting were a "Martini" type weapon.
He then fought in the crucial Battle of Sarantaporos (9-10-1912). The Greek forces, after strong resistance from the Turkish forces, achieved a significant victory that opened the way for the liberation of Macedonia. The victorious outcome of the Battle of Sarantaporos raised the morale of the Greek Army, which was low after the defeat of 1897. For his courage in this battle, little Gerasimos received a gun as a gift Mannlicher Schönauer.
In the battle of Kilkis-Lachana, in 1913, luck was not on his side. It was a hand-to-hand battle. Greek losses were heavy. Due to the hilly and bare terrain of the area, Greek soldiers were constantly exposed to enemy fire. The Greek victory was great, but the cost in human lives was great. The dead and wounded amounted to 8.828 men. The little boy was taken prisoner by the Bulgarians. But he was not afraid and, above all, he did not flinch. One night he managed to kill three Bulgarians from the detachment and escape. He disappeared into the night and returned to the camp. On his return he found a wounded Evzon and carried him, saving him from certain death. For his bravery he was promoted to the rank of corporal on August 28, 1913 at the age of 13.
He was the only 13-year-old corporal in Greek history! Unfortunately, no one knew what happened to the little hero...
His mother was from Piraeus, while his father worked as a baker in Hydra. With the declaration of the First Balkan War (October 1912), the young Raftopoulos, who was then employed as a servant in Pylos, sought a way to enlist in the Greek army. The minor, although his height did not exceed 140-150 centimeters, nevertheless possessed such courage and determination that he surprised everyone.
photo by https://sfedona.gr
Πηγές
https://stratistoria.wordpress.com/2022/01/02/1912_stratiotis-gerasimos-raftopoulos/
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https://sfedona.gr/89588/2023/
