There’s an abundance of traitors everywhere, it seems.
This incident (and everything that follows) is actually a real event, usually referred to as “the traitor Kalambouras’ end”. It not only exists as a (very frugal) entry in Napoleon Zervas’ diary, but also in other accounts, both from ELAS and the EDES. And for it being just a line in the text of a great many things, it’s actually quite divisive in what I call “partisan historians” (people giving accounts from a very biased, political party POV). For EDES/ right-wing accounts it’s treated as evidence to the mountain resistance brutality. For ELAS/left-wing accounts, it’s treated as evidence the right wing nurtures traitors. I think in the coming pages it’ll be evident why, even in the version I present which I find the most likely to have happened.
HOWEVER, this divisive narrative (and the over-abundance of details that come with it) started in 1949, at the end of the Civil War. Before that, accounts on both sides are negligible and frugal, and Zervas, who was part of this along with Velouhiotis (and an eye-witness) makes no mention of those details, nor comments on it at all. And one would expect to since other altercations much lighter than what right-wing accounts claim in 1949, are clinically penned down in Zervas’ diary. Either way, I chose to include this incident because of one single reason: it’s evidence that in 1942, the Greek Resistance was still willing to operate in unison, as Kalambouras was tried and executed by BOTH EDES and ELAS.
2 historical inaccuracies I’ve allowed for the sake of the narrative: The incident took place a day early, and in a different village named Kolokythia (Κολοκυθιά), as the generals traveled often (and separately) from village to village in the area.
Lastly, it has come to my attention that it’s likely both generals had light-colored eyes, most likely blue. So now, they both have blue eyes :)
Next update will be on Monday, April 20! But if you’re my patron you can see it right now along with other perks and extras!
I'm having flashbacks to modern writings on American (not even Greek-American, I think) websites mentioning the Greek Civil War in passing, and the right-wingers totally not mentioning the right-wing war crimes, ditto the left-wingers not mentioning left-wing war crimes. So I (to a very limited extent) feel ya.
I only hope the horribleness of humans will continue to shock some of us. At least younger people anyway. I'm not shocked by headlines anymore. Wish I was.
Eh, I don't know if shock is what is needed for the horrid side of human nature to be curbed. Perhaps a firm, albeit stoic, opposition to it is more constructive.
The doodler at 11:05AM, June 17, 2023
I'm having flashbacks to modern writings on American (not even Greek-American, I think) websites mentioning the Greek Civil War in passing, and the right-wingers totally not mentioning the right-wing war crimes, ditto the left-wingers not mentioning left-wing war crimes. So I (to a very limited extent) feel ya.
Tantz_Aerine at 12:29PM, June 17, 2023
Yeah. Because God forbid we admit *our* side is anything but snow-white pure and *their* side the devil incarnate. Ugh.
Banes at 8:11AM, April 13, 2020
Will Fotis become bitter and calcified in the future? If he survives all this, I'm hoping for a flash-forward epilogue some day!
Tantz_Aerine at 3:33PM, April 13, 2020
We'll have to find out!
Ozoneocean at 11:12AM, April 7, 2020
"A chance in court"? hmm It will be interesting to see.
Ozoneocean at 2:45AM, April 8, 2020
Haha!
Tantz_Aerine at 12:27PM, April 7, 2020
Well don't expect a lawyer. XD
LanceDanger at 5:43AM, April 6, 2020
Oh, my, that seems like quite the story, I should look that up!
Tantz_Aerine at 6:26AM, April 6, 2020
I doubt you'll find much in English, I'm afraid! But if you do, I'd be curious to see what you do find!
usedbooks at 4:39AM, April 6, 2020
I only hope the horribleness of humans will continue to shock some of us. At least younger people anyway. I'm not shocked by headlines anymore. Wish I was.
Tantz_Aerine at 6:28AM, April 6, 2020
Eh, I don't know if shock is what is needed for the horrid side of human nature to be curbed. Perhaps a firm, albeit stoic, opposition to it is more constructive.
bravo1102 at 3:01AM, April 6, 2020
Thank you for the historical background to put it all in context. Great stuff here.
Tantz_Aerine at 3:34AM, April 6, 2020
My pleasure! And thank you!