Ioannis Zisis Explained

Ioannis Zisis (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Ιωάννης Ζήσης, 1881-1941) was a Hellenic Army General during World War II.

Honorific Prefix:Major General
Ioannis Zisis
Native Name:Ιωάννης Ζήσης
Birth Date:c. 1881
Death Date:9 April 1941
Birth Place:Makri, Phthiotis, Kingdom of Greece
Death Place:Evros, Kingdom of Greece
Allegiance:
Battles:World War II

He was born in village Makri, near to Makrakomi, Fthiotida.

Prior to and during the German invasion of Greece, Major General Zisis was commander of the Evros Brigade (Ταξιαρχία Έβρου) deployed in Western Thrace and consisting of 2,100 men.[1] In the Battle of Metaxas Line (April 6–9, 1941), the numerically and technically superior German Army invaded Greece from the Bulgarian border. However, the Greek fortifications at Nymfaia, near Komotini were able to provide a two-day resistance against enemy attacks.[1]

After the battle, the retreating Greek soldiers in Western Thrace were ordered by their headquarters to move across the Evros river to Turkey. General Zisis found this turn of events too humiliating and preferred to commit suicide, while his soldiers were disarmed and interned by the Turks.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Καραμπατσόλης. Γεώργιος. Οχυρό Νυμφαίας. Hellenic Army General Staff. 12 June 2012.
  2. Book: Spyropoulos, Evangelos. The Greek military (1909-1941) and the Greek mutinies in the Middle East (1941-1944). 1993. Columbia Univ. Press. New York. 9780880332576. 112.