National Organization of Crete
Encyclopedia
The National Organization of Crete was an organization established in Crete
by British Intelligence
during the Axis occupation of Greece
in World War II
. EOK, predominantly Venizelist
in sympathy and with members ranging from centre-left
to right-wing
, was meant to act as a counterweight to the pro-communist EAM resistance
organization. EOK evolved from the secret organization AEAK , that was established in Chania
on June 15, 1941. 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. 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
. However, a dispute between the Greeks and the British over its aims and leadership resulted in its disintegration and the formation of EOK.
Despite their ideological differences, EAM and EOK agreed to sign non-aggression pact
s
during the meetings of Theriso
and Tromarissa. These agreements were generally kept 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.
Crete
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
by British Intelligence
Secret Intelligence Service
The Secret Intelligence Service is responsible for supplying the British Government with foreign intelligence. Alongside the internal Security Service , the Government Communications Headquarters and the Defence Intelligence , it operates under the formal direction of the Joint Intelligence...
during the Axis occupation of Greece
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. EOK, predominantly Venizelist
Venizelism
Venizelism was one of the major political movements in Greece from the 1900s until the mid 1970s.- Ideology :Named after Eleftherios Venizelos, the key characteristics of Venizelism were:*Opposition to Monarchy...
in sympathy and with members ranging from centre-left
Centre-left
Centre-left is a political term that describes individuals, political parties or organisations such as think tanks whose ideology lies between the centre and the left on the left-right spectrum...
to right-wing
Right-wing politics
In politics, Right, right-wing and rightist generally refer to support for a hierarchical society justified on the basis of an appeal to natural law or tradition. To varying degrees, the Right rejects the egalitarian objectives of left-wing politics, claiming that the imposition of equality is...
, was meant to act as a counterweight to the pro-communist EAM resistance
Greek Resistance
The Greek Resistance is the blanket term for a number of armed and unarmed groups from across the political spectrum that resisted the Axis Occupation of Greece in the period 1941–1944, during World War II.-Origins:...
organization. EOK evolved from the secret organization AEAK , that was established in Chania
Chania
Chaniá , , also transliterated Chania, Hania, and Xania, older form Chanea and Venetian Canea, Ottoman Turkish خانيه Hanya) is the second largest city of Crete and the capital of the Chania peripheral unit...
on June 15, 1941. AEAK was founded a mere two weeks after the end of the Battle of Crete
Battle of Crete
The Battle of Crete was a battle during World War II on the Greek island of Crete. It began on the morning of 20 May 1941, when Nazi Germany launched an airborne invasion of Crete under the code-name Unternehmen Merkur...
by patriots Andreas Papadakis, Ioannis Paizis, Andreas Polentas, Titos Georgiadis and Ioannis Ioannidis. It was the first armed resistance group in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, 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
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Papadakis' house
in Vourvoures, near Kallikratis
Kallikratis
Kallikratis is a small village in oo ku taalo luuq ganaane southwest Crete, Greece. According to tradition, it was named after the admiral Manoussos Kallikratis, who in March 1453 led a campaign to reinforce the defense of Constantinople with 5 ships and 1500 Cretan volunteers...
. However, a dispute between the Greeks and the British over its aims and leadership resulted in its disintegration and the formation of EOK.
Despite their ideological differences, EAM and EOK agreed to sign non-aggression pact
Non-aggression pact
A non-aggression pact is an international treaty between two or more states/countries agreeing to avoid war or armed conflict between them and resolve their disputes through peaceful negotiations...
s
during the meetings of Theriso
Theriso
Theriso is a town and former municipality in the Chania peripheral unit, Crete, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Chania, of which it is a municipal unit. It was part of the former Kydonia Province, which covered the central part of Chania Prefecture.The...
and Tromarissa. These agreements were generally kept and
allowed Crete to remain largely unaffected by the civil war
Greek Civil War
The Greek Civil War was fought from 1946 to 1949 between the Greek governmental army, backed by the United Kingdom and United States, and the Democratic Army of Greece , the military branch of the Greek Communist Party , backed by Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Albania...
between
leftists and rightists that broke out in mainland Greece after the withdrawal of German
occupation forces.