We start with a documented interaction between Napoleon Zervas and C.M. Woodhouse, one of the SOE team that participated in the Harling Operation. He is, of course, a real historical person who has written many books on Greece and WWII in Greece. He could speak Greek, knew Greece well, and is reported to be somewhat of a philhellene. This conversation is taken faithfully from the matching entry in Napoleon Zervas’ diary.
At the time, the British were notoriously unaware of the emerging partisan groups in Greece and their respective political affiliations and alliances.
Even the manner in which the Greek Resistance spilled from the cities to the mountains determined how the partisan groups formed and who controlled what in terms of territory, but at the time the British had little clue. The colonel Woodhouse is referring to is Eddy Myers, whom we’ll soon meet as well.
Next update will be on Monday, February 7! But if you’re my patron you can see it right now along with more perks and background info!
I was not aware that the Greeks consistently continued the ancient tradition of fighting not only together against an overwhelming enemy, but also fiercely among themselves, during World War II (and after).
I got to respect his answer. Sometimes being on the same sides can have very different views for a cause if they are vying for the same outcome. Still kind of surprised that the British had no intelligence operatives to at least know what’s going on. Is it because they had no interest in certain Territories? Or were they spread too thin by Germany?
There are many reasons. Primarily, the Greek resistance was really a neonate, with partisans not feeling it was top on their list to get in contact with some foreign agency they had little knowledge of. Second off, the British weren't as thorough because yet they didn't factor the various resistance groups in many countries (including Greece) as serious players in the game (beyond small random subterfuge). It was after this that they became more serious with SOE as an agency at all.
The doodler at 11:19AM, June 17, 2023
Nice looking stone.
Tantz_Aerine at 12:43PM, June 17, 2023
Thanks!
Othosmops at 5:02PM, Jan. 26, 2022
I was not aware that the Greeks consistently continued the ancient tradition of fighting not only together against an overwhelming enemy, but also fiercely among themselves, during World War II (and after).
Tantz_Aerine at 3:21AM, Jan. 27, 2022
It wouldn't be tradition if it weren't diligently upkept. XD And yes unfortunately, this has always been a vice of the Greeks.
LanceDanger at 6:19AM, Jan. 26, 2022
Love the storytelling in the bottom 3 panels!
Tantz_Aerine at 7:33AM, Jan. 26, 2022
THank you!!
cdmalcolm1 at 7:53AM, Jan. 24, 2022
I got to respect his answer. Sometimes being on the same sides can have very different views for a cause if they are vying for the same outcome. Still kind of surprised that the British had no intelligence operatives to at least know what’s going on. Is it because they had no interest in certain Territories? Or were they spread too thin by Germany?
Tantz_Aerine at 3:24AM, Jan. 25, 2022
There are many reasons. Primarily, the Greek resistance was really a neonate, with partisans not feeling it was top on their list to get in contact with some foreign agency they had little knowledge of. Second off, the British weren't as thorough because yet they didn't factor the various resistance groups in many countries (including Greece) as serious players in the game (beyond small random subterfuge). It was after this that they became more serious with SOE as an agency at all.
usedbooks at 5:00AM, Jan. 24, 2022
That's some awesome looking stone texture!
Tantz_Aerine at 5:17AM, Jan. 24, 2022
Thank you! It took me WAY too much time to paint.