The demonstration in Athens, on July 22nd 1943, which turned into a slaughter of unarmed civilians
WW2 in GreeceBy Pierre Kosmidis
This photo is from a series of photographs shot on July 22nd, 1943 in Athens.
A demonstration of unarmed citizens of Athens, turned into a bloodshed by the Germans and Italians.
Many were shot and/or crashed by the Axis tanks and armoured vehicles. A story virtually unknown.
Few Greeks or persons from other countries are aware of this event.
On July 22, 1943 , a general strike and demonstration took place in Athens, in which more than 100,000 people took part, against the prospect of expanding the Bulgarian occupation in most of Central Macedonia.
At least 15 people were killed and more than 50 were injured.
On the morning of July 22, 1943, more than 100,000 people gathered in the center of Athens.
When protesters tried to reach the Bulgarian embassy, they came under machine gun fire.
The next day, Commando Piazza, the Italian Occupation Administration, issued a statement banning free movement from 8 pm ” following yesterday’s silly attempt to disrupt public order in Athens.”