In April 1941, the German army, after defeating the Greek army in the fortresses between them, enters Greece and the German-Italian occupation begins. A black page in our history. We are enslaved by the Axis. But, as is well known, the Greek people's neck cannot withstand a yoke. The Greek people begin to think and organize their resistance to the occupiers, which will ultimately lead to their freedom.
So, General Napoleon Zervas on the 11thη June 1941 creates the bases of the resistance organization EDES (National Democratic League) by swearing in the first 10 guerrillas and collaborates with the Allied headquarters in the Middle East based in Cairo, where the Greek government is also located. On 23η In July 1942, he left for the mountains and began the guerrilla war. Other guerrilla organizations were also created during this period. We briefly mention: "National and Social Liberation" (EKKA) of Dim Psarrou, "National Organization of Crete" (EOK), "National Salvation Committee" in Karditsa, "Hellenic Army of National Liberation" (ESEA) in Thessaly. The largest of all was the "National Liberation Front" (EAM) which was created in early 1942. The Greek people began to write pages of glory and bravery. They resisted the Axis in every way with heroic acts, small or large.
A leading act of heroic resistance is the blowing up of the Gorgopotamos bridge on the 25th.η November 1942. Let's look at the events, briefly, from the beginning. The Middle East headquarters, in order to interrupt the supply of German General Rommel in Africa, decided to blow up one of the Gorgopotamos or Papadia bridges. The blowup would be carried out by English saboteurs with the help of Greek guerrillas.
For this purpose, a group of English saboteurs with Major Christopher Montoyius Woodhouse parachuted into the mountains in an area controlled by the EAM. Since they were unable to communicate with guerrillas in the area, they turned to Zervas. The meeting took place in the village of Argiri, which is located on the borders of four prefectures: Trikala, Arta, Aitoloakarnania and Evrytania. At this historic meeting, General Zervas, after being informed by the English officer sent for him about the purpose of his arrival in Greece and the value of the undertaking, agreed to participate in the blowing up of the Gorgopotamos bridge, which was deemed the best solution.
the 12η November, the march towards Gorgopotamo begins at an intensive pace because the leader of the mission, Eddie, had set the explosion to take place no later than November 17th. On the 13th of the month, an envoy from Athos Roumeliotis meets them in Kerasochori, who informs them of two things: that it is dangerous to proceed and that Roumeliotis and Captain Aris Velouchiotis are at odds and there is a risk that the two ELAS captains will get involved in a war. Zervas and Woodhouse thought about inviting Aris, if he wants, to help their effort. Aris, invited by the two, went, found them and coldly accepted the proposal to participate.
After Zervas had gathered information useful for the planned operation, he decided to carry out the operation on the 20th of the month. This decision led Aris to request that the effort be postponed for a few days in order to receive, supposedly, the approval of the central committee, because without it he could not participate. Aris' request was accepted.
On the 21st of the month, the rebels take the oath before Zervas and Edy. On the 23rdη November 1942, the approval of the central committee did not arrive and Aris requested another postponement. Zervas rejected the request and together with Eddie they drew up the plan to blow up the bridge according to the information collected and the picture formed by Greek officers who spied on the area. A reconnaissance of the bridge and the surrounding area was carried out a few hours before the operation by Zervas and the British officers and the necessary changes were made to the action plan. Then Aris announced that he had 42 men available for the operation. In the end, he gave 33 men and requested a postponement of a few hours because the barbed wire protecting the bridge is electrified. The operation was not postponed and everyone took the path of the mission where patriotic and democratic duty called them. The path to theν The bridge is dangerous and tiring with rain in the rugged mountains at night.
The plan succeeded and at 2.30 am the Gorgopotamos bridge was blown up and put out of service. Rommel's supply was interrupted and the Allies were facilitated for the final effort against him. The transport of weapons and other useful materials for General Rommel in Africa was interrupted. The trains that were moving towards Piraeus and through Crete to reach Africa could not continue their journey due to the blowing up of the bridge.
The time it took to repair the bridge was 47 days. A very long time, considering that the transport of supplies to Africa could not be done by sea because the allies controlled it. Each of us can imagine the problems that were created in the Axis army in the Middle East and at the same time understand the extent of the importance of the success of the project. At the same time, the morale of the Greeks was boosted by learning about the heroic feat. The blowing up of the bridge was not a simple walk. Fierce battles were fought with wounded on both sides and dead on the side of the conquerors.
The guerrilla movement begins to flare up. The Europeans are informed that the Greek did not bow his head. Under the iron-clad boot of the Axis he raised his head. He fights the conqueror. The European leaders begin to realize the usefulness of the guerrilla struggle.
The invaders offer a reward of one hundred million drachmas to General Zervas and European radio stations broadcast that Zervas' forces blew up the bridge and praise the general, the rebels and the English officers and saboteurs. The English government promotes to the next rank officers M. Eddy, Christ and Tom Barnes. The English also award General Zervas with the Order of the British Empire, Captain Myridakis Mich. with the English War Cross and Barba Nikolaos Bey with a political medal.
The blowing up of the Gorgopotamos bridge was a significant act of resistance by the guerrilla body of the proud Greek People. It severely wounded the iron-barred axis and thundered to the ends of the earth that Greece, the cradle of Democracy, does not compromise with totalitarian ideologies, inhuman and illiberal. The Greek does not choose tyrants. He fights fascism and totalitarianism of every kind and color. He considers it his supreme duty and duty to defend the sacred and loyal things of the race.
Every year, on the 25th, the Greek citizenη On November 11, he remembers the heroic feat of his ancestors, feels proud of them, reverently bows his knee and takes an oath and promise that he will always fight for his homeland, Democracy, Freedom and Orthodoxy.
photo Greek Radio FL
