EAM ELAS Monument

This monument in Frikes commemorates the National Liberation Front (EAM) and the Greek People’s Liberation Army (ELAS) and their resistance efforts during World War II. The site marks the occupation of the German ship “Antoinette” by local insurgents on September 13, 1944​

The Inscription:

«…Από το βράχο αυτό στις 13.9.44 αντάρτες του ΕΛΑΣ – ΕΛΑΝ όρμησαν με αυτοθυσία κατά του ναζιστικού καραβιού ΑΝΤΟΥΑΝΕΤΑ και το κατέλαβαν γράφοντας έτσι μια ακόμα σελίδα δόξας στον αγώνα της Εθνικής Αντίστασης κατά του φασισμού.

Μη λησμονείς:

Κάθε πάτημα στον τόπο μας κι ένα μνημείο ηρωικό

κάθε οργιά θάλασσας χίλιες σταγόνες αίμα…

ΠΕΑΕΑ ΙΘΑΚΗΣ»

which translate as:

“…From this rock on 13.9.44 guerrillas of ELAS – ELAN attacked with self-sacrifice against the Nazi ship ANTOUNETA and captured it, thus writing another page of glory in the struggle of the National Resistance against fascism.

Do not forget:

Every footstep in our land and a monument heroic

every sea rage a thousand drops of blood…

PEAEA ITHACA”

The Story:

On September 13, 1944, a group of ELAS and ELAN guerrillas in Ithaca, Greece, captured a German tugboat named Maria Antonietta. The tugboat was sailing along the eastern coast of Ithaca when it was spotted by the guerrillas. The guerrillas then followed the tugboat in a small boat and a larger ELAN ship called the Demokratia.

When the Maria Antonietta reached the port of Frikes, the guerrillas landed and attacked the ship. The Germans initially resisted, but they soon surrendered. The guerrillas then took control of the ship and sailed it to Kioni.

The next day, the Germans bombed Frikes and Kioni in retaliation for the capture of the Maria Antonietta. However, the villagers had been warned in advance and there were no casualties.

The capture of the Maria Antonietta was a significant victory for the Greek Resistance. It showed that the guerrillas were capable of taking on German forces even at sea. The event is still commemorated every year on September 13th with a ceremony at the site of the attack.

Photos by: Georgoulis Theodoros