One of the constant myths of the Left is that ELAS liberated Greece from the Germans. Myth is a construction that unites, awakens and mobilizes those to whom it is addressed. It does not need proof, because it is a myth.

German troops withdrew from the city on October 29, without any hostilities. The next day, ELAS entered, violating the Gazerta agreement.

It is a historically indisputable fact that Greece and Thessaloniki were liberated because the German troops withdrew, so as not to be trapped by the Soviet divisions moving south, from the beginning of September 1944. the whole of mainland Greece. They left Thessaloniki on October 29, without any hostilities, something of a salvation for the city, which otherwise counted dead and destruction. If there was an agreement between the German occupation forces and ELAS, there are differing views. In fact, on the initiative of Ath. Chrysochou, in October, the dosilogical forces and the anti-communist formations, which gathered in Kavakli, left Thessaloniki. Thus, at that stage, a civil bloodshed was avoided. Eventually the conflict became inevitable on November 4, 1944, in the deadly battle of Kilkis.

On October 30, ELAS entered Thessaloniki evacuated by the Germans, violating the Gazerta agreement. Almost from August 1944 the German forces controlled only the part of Thessaloniki that was under Agios Dimitrios. The western districts and the Upper City were controlled by the forces of the local ELAS and OPLA, with what this meant for those whom the KKE considered “reactionary”. Thus, literally, Thessaloniki was not liberated by any guerrilla army. It was evacuated by the German troops, who withdrew in a coordinated manner. For the past five years, many objections have been raised for a votive plaque referring to the liberation of Thessaloniki by ELAS. Associations, clubs, personalities of the city are protesting because there was an arbitrary interpretation of the relevant decision of the municipal council, which provides for the placement of the votive plaque without specifying its content.

The myth of a faction cannot become the myth of an entire city, they argue.