In recent years, as Greece and its people have found themselves in the midst of a deep economic crisis with political and social dimensions, it has become increasingly necessary to draw comparisons with other critical phases of our modern history, particularly with the dramatic era of foreign occupation from 1941-44, during which the Greek people experienced an unrestrained economic crisis and consequent misery. And because comparisons are made almost daily, some successful and others unfounded, it was deemed useful to expedite the publication of this work.
Over the past forty-plus years, during which the author has systematically engaged in historical research of the occupation period, he had the opportunity to meet individuals who played significant roles at that time and who helped him gather and study valuable data and archives or search for authentic primary sources. At the same time, he studied various public or private archives to which he had access and used oral testimonies. It should be emphasized that his primary goal was to view historical events as objectively as possible, thus drawing safer conclusions.
In the second volume, there is a broader reference to the phenomenon of collaborationism, and the individuals considered collaborators, i.e., those who cooperated with the occupier during the Occupation, are mentioned. The cases are varied, a fact that requires precise knowledge to study. At the end of the entire work, there will be a detailed bibliography and an index of individuals. Some of the contents that make up this work have previously been published in a different form in periodicals.
The author feels it is his duty to thank all those who assisted him in completing this book, without whose contribution its successful outcome would have been doubtful. Special grateful thanks are owed to his close friends Popi and Andreas Kyrkos, as well as to a wide circle of collaborators and friends.