Supreme Committee of Cretan Struggle

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The Supreme Committee of Cretan Struggle (Greek: Ανωτάτη Επιτροπή Αγώνος Κρήτης, A.E.A.K.) was a resistance organization founded in Crete in June 1941. It was the first armed resistance organization founded in Greece after its occupation by the Axis powers and was a precursor to the National Organization of Crete (EOK).[1]

Establishment

AEAK was founded in

Lassithi prefecture, and Andreas Polentas as secretary general. The Chairman of the Court of Appeals of Crete, Aristomenis Karakoulakis, joined the steering committee of the organization.[2]

AEAK was

coup d'état attempt against the Metaxas regime
in 1938.

Activity

The organization was headquartered at Papadakis' house in Vourvoures, a remote location between the villages of Asi Gonia and Kallikratis.[3] AEAK coordinated the rescue and evacuation of many Allied soldiers who had been stranded in Crete after its occupation. It was also active in gathering military intelligence and sharing it with SOE agents operating in Crete.

The activities of Andreas Polentas were betrayed to the Germans, who arrested and executed him in Agia prison on December 21, 1942.

AEAK was integrated into EOK, which was established in July 1943.

References

  1. ISBN 978-14-907-3386-9
    .
  2. ^ Η ίδρυση της Α.Ε.Α.Κ.: «Πρωτόκολλον τιμής και θυσίας δια την απελευθέρωσιν της Κρήτης μας», Πατρίς onLine, 10 Μαΐου 2010; archived here.
  3. ^ Beevor, Antony. Crete: The Battle and the Resistance, John Murray Ltd, 1991. Penguin Books, 1992.
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