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by Phoebus Athanassiou.
Softcover (7.25×9.75 inches). 56 pages. 2025.
The usual Men At Arms mix of weaponry and uniforms coverage extends to Greek partisans — along with a goodly dose of operations that could make for a skirmish scenario or two.
Greece eventually generated 100,000 partisans out of population of 7.5 million (p4), which is more than enough to cause the undermanned Axis garrisons fits, even if it was an unequal struggle. The Greek guerrillas killed about 15,000 Axis troops, wounded 8,000, and captured 3,000 to 5,000 (p41). In return, the Axis killed about 500,000 Greeks — about half through famine (p41).
The Germans had 140,000 troops by the end of 1943 and only 100,000 by August 1944 (p22) while the Italians kept 172,000 troops on the mainland and various islands (p35). Bulgaria sent 70,000 troops in June 1941, which slowly dropped to 40,000 by September 1944 (p36). The Germans counted 15,000 to 20,000 collaborators.
The booklet contains 48 black and white photos and eight pages of uniform illustrations (12 color uniform illustrations of resistance fighters, nine of Axis occupation troops, and three of collaborator troops).
This volume concentrates on the two largest blocs: the monarchists (EDES) and the communists (ELAS). The latter all but destroyed the former until the British sent Greek war-time units back to Greece to reinforce the EDES. That averted a communist takeover and successfully defeated the communists in the Civil War that followed WWII.
If, like me, the Guns of Navarrone movie is your source of info about Greek partisans, this volume will offer real information about the WWII guerrilla movement in Greece.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
