740.0011 European War 1939/31529: Telegram
The Ambassador to the Greek Government in Exile (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 13—2:15 p.m.]
Greek Series 80. Reports have been received that within last 4 or 5 days active fighting between ELAS56 guerrilla bands belonging to EAM organization on one side, and Zervas, Psarros, and smaller bands on other has broken out and spread widely through country. It is implied that expecting early withdrawal of Germans from Greece each side wishes to establish exclusive control before liberation. Furthermore, it is said that Germans are making no effort to interfere in situation and that for past 2 or 3 weeks they have been moving heavy equipment out of Crete and Peloponnese and have been dismantling factories and sending machinery north. These reports have given rise to speculation as to whether Germans may be contemplating withdrawal from Greece in near future and whether German reign of terror in Crete during past fortnight, combined with costly efforts to retake Cos and Leros may be covering such withdrawal.
- Ethnikos Laikos Apeleftherotikos Stratos, National Peoples Liberation Army.↩