The Holocaust of Kalavryta refers to one of the most terrible times during Modern Greek History, which took place during the German occupation of Greece in World War II. In particular, on 13 December 1943, the German occupational forces destroyed the town of Kalavryta and executed all men and adolescents of the town, as repercussions for the attack of the Hellenic People’s Liberation Army (ELAS) against German forces in the battle of Kerpini. The operation resulted in the complete devastation of the town, the burning of houses, and the execution of residents, with young and senior citizens being executed in cold blood. The women and children who stayed in Kalavryta managed to escape the fire that broke out in the school, in which the German occupational forces had locked them up. The cruelties of the Germans were not only contained in Kalavryta, but expanded in the surrounding areas as well. The Holocaust of Kalavryta constitutes one of the most important cases of war crimes committed by the German occupational forces in Greece, during World War II. Today, the memory of the Holocaust of Kalavryta is maintained by monuments, anniversary memorial events, as well as by the collective memory of the residents of the area.

#ΕλληνικόςΣτρατός, #HellenicArmy