The end of the Balkan Wars 1912-1913 found Greece winning, and the Greek state restoring the territories of East Macedonia (from the ridge of Mount Kerkini to the estuary of Nestos river), yet not the territories of West Thrace (west of Evros river), which were awarded to the defeated Bulgaria. However, in 1918, the outcome of the operations at the Macedonian Front and the victory of the Allied Forces in WW1 put a definitive end at Bulgaria’s sovereignty in the region. In October 1919, by decision of the Paris Peace Treaty, the French General Charles Antoine Charpy assumed the political and military command of Thrace which, for a few months, became an unusual inter-allied state (Inter-allied Thrace), based in Komotini.

This status was kept in the area until mid-May 1920, when the Hellenic Army was authorised to replace the allied troops, by virtue of the San Remo Conference (April 1920). The mission was assigned to the National Defence Army Corps, under the command of Major General Emmanouil Zymvrakakis. In the morning of 14 May 1920, the Serres Division entered Komotini and was excitedly received by the town’s inhabitants. On that same day, the XV Infantry Regiment of the Xanthi Division disembarked in Alexandroupoli, replacing the French troops, and the occupation of Karaağaç by the IX Infantry Division followed (16 May). On 20 May 1920, the occupation of West Thrace was successfully completed, officially being since that date an integral part of the Hellenic territory.

#ΕλληνικόςΣτρατός, #HellenicArmy