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Scobie, Hero Of Greece The British Campaign, 1944-45
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1975
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May 15, 2025
I began this with a certain trepidation, knowing that it would be a one-sided account of the civil war that broke out in Greece towards the end of the Second World War, but also aware that I had little knowledge that would correct any bias.
The book is essentially an effort to correct the impression that Britain's actions during these events were self-serving, and unnecessarily bellicose as regards the civilian population. Rather the British Army was the model of restraint, and the Greek communist insurgents - ELAS - the height of sadism and violence.
The book is largely based on what Scobie (the Allied Commander) says about the events, although it contains many reports of other officers and ordinary soldiers. The actions of ELAS, even if exaggerated, are truly heinous and shocking to the core. What the book does not explain is quite why they descended to such depths in general, and in particular why such vehement treatment was meted out to EDES, a rival group of partisans, with whom one might assume a broad range of sympathies. What had gone on before to cause this is not explored.
At any rate, this is a shocking insight into something I'd hitherto only read as a footnote to the history of the war. More reading is required to put it into a wider perspective.
The book is essentially an effort to correct the impression that Britain's actions during these events were self-serving, and unnecessarily bellicose as regards the civilian population. Rather the British Army was the model of restraint, and the Greek communist insurgents - ELAS - the height of sadism and violence.
The book is largely based on what Scobie (the Allied Commander) says about the events, although it contains many reports of other officers and ordinary soldiers. The actions of ELAS, even if exaggerated, are truly heinous and shocking to the core. What the book does not explain is quite why they descended to such depths in general, and in particular why such vehement treatment was meted out to EDES, a rival group of partisans, with whom one might assume a broad range of sympathies. What had gone on before to cause this is not explored.
At any rate, this is a shocking insight into something I'd hitherto only read as a footnote to the history of the war. More reading is required to put it into a wider perspective.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review