Organization of National Resistance of the Interior X (Chi)
Encyclopedia
The Organization of National Resistance of the Interior X , commonly known as Organization X or simply X (Chi
), was a resistance
group formed during the Axis occupation of Greece, in June 1941. Its founder and leader was Georgios Grivas, lieutenant colonel of the Hellenic Army
at the time and leader of the guerrilla campaign of Greek Cypriots
against British colonial rule in the 1950s.
Initially, the group's name was Grivas' Military Organization and in March 1943 it was renamed, adopting the letter of the Greek alphabet chi
.
The group had nationalist, anticommunist and royalist orientation and remained loyal to the Greek government in exile
, headed by King George II
. Its activities were intelligence
, espionage
, graffiti and sign writings, as well as assistance to Greeks who fled to the Middle East
. As an armed group it was formed towards the end of the occupation, having purchased weapons from the retreating Germans, in order to prevent communist led EAM from assuming power in postwar Greece.
Organization X participated in the Dekemvriana (December 1944 events in Athens), suffering heavy casualties, on the side of the anti-EAM front that was led by the government of George Papandreou
, after it had been disbanded and incorporated into the 143 Militia Battalion, which had its base in the neighborhood of Thisio. The most important battles that X took part in was the battle of Thisio and the battle of Makriyianni, where members of the group manned positions at Syngrou Avenue
, thus relieving the gendarmerie
force that was isolated in the barracks of the Gendarmerie Regiment.
Organization X was officially recognized as a National Organization of Internal Resistance by a royal decree of March 10 1950.
Chi (letter)
Chi is the 22nd letter of the Greek alphabet, pronounced as in English.-Greek:-Ancient Greek:Its value in Ancient Greek was an aspirated velar stop .-Koine Greek:...
), was a 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:...
group formed during the Axis occupation of Greece, in June 1941. Its founder and leader was Georgios Grivas, lieutenant colonel of the Hellenic Army
Hellenic Army
The Hellenic Army , formed in 1828, is the land force of Greece.The motto of the Hellenic Army is , "Freedom Stems from Valor", from Thucydides's History of the Peloponnesian War...
at the time and leader of the guerrilla campaign of Greek Cypriots
EOKA
EOKA was an anticolonial, antiimperialist nationalist organisation with the ultimate goal of "The liberation of Cyprus from the British yoke". Although not stated in its initial declaration of existence which was printed and distributed on the 1st of April 1955, EOKA also had a target of achieving...
against British colonial rule in the 1950s.
Initially, the group's name was Grivas' Military Organization and in March 1943 it was renamed, adopting the letter of the Greek alphabet chi
Chi (letter)
Chi is the 22nd letter of the Greek alphabet, pronounced as in English.-Greek:-Ancient Greek:Its value in Ancient Greek was an aspirated velar stop .-Koine Greek:...
.
The group had nationalist, anticommunist and royalist orientation and remained loyal to the Greek government in exile
Greek government in exile
The Greek government in exile was the official government of Greece, headed by King George II, which evacuated from Athens in April 1941, after the German invasion of the country, first to the island of Crete and then to Cairo in Egypt. Hence it is also referred to as the "Cairo Government"...
, headed by King George II
George II of Greece
George II reigned as King of Greece from 1922 to 1924 and from 1935 to 1947.-Early life, first period of kingship and exile:George was born at the royal villa at Tatoi, near Athens, the eldest son of King Constantine I of Greece and his wife, Princess Sophia of Prussia...
. Its activities were intelligence
Intelligence (information gathering)
Intelligence assessment is the development of forecasts of behaviour or recommended courses of action to the leadership of an organization, based on a wide range of available information sources both overt and covert. Assessments are developed in response to requirements declared by the leadership...
, espionage
Espionage
Espionage or spying involves an individual obtaining information that is considered secret or confidential without the permission of the holder of the information. Espionage is inherently clandestine, lest the legitimate holder of the information change plans or take other countermeasures once it...
, graffiti and sign writings, as well as assistance to Greeks who fled to the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
. As an armed group it was formed towards the end of the occupation, having purchased weapons from the retreating Germans, in order to prevent communist led EAM from assuming power in postwar Greece.
Organization X participated in the Dekemvriana (December 1944 events in Athens), suffering heavy casualties, on the side of the anti-EAM front that was led by the government of George Papandreou
George Papandreou (senior)
Georgios Papandreou was a Greek politician, the founder of the Papandreou political dynasty. He served three terms as Prime Minister of Greece...
, after it had been disbanded and incorporated into the 143 Militia Battalion, which had its base in the neighborhood of Thisio. The most important battles that X took part in was the battle of Thisio and the battle of Makriyianni, where members of the group manned positions at Syngrou Avenue
Andrea Syngrou Avenue
Andrea Syngrou Avenue is a major road in Athens, linking Poseidonos Avenue with the centre and other avenues. It is planned, built and later named for Andreas Syngros. It runs southwest to northeast. The Syngrou-Fix station of the Attiko Metro's Red Line is situated at the northeastern end of the...
, thus relieving the gendarmerie
Greek Gendarmerie
The Hellenic Gendarmerie was the national gendarmerie and military police force of Greece.-19th Century:The Greek Gendarmerie was established after the enthronement of King Otto in 1833 as the Royal Gendarmerie and modeled after the French Gendarmerie. It was at that time formally part of the...
force that was isolated in the barracks of the Gendarmerie Regiment.
Organization X was officially recognized as a National Organization of Internal Resistance by a royal decree of March 10 1950.