From 1945 until September 1949 the postwar Royal Hellenic Air Force was engaged in a bloody conflict that erupted between Greek communists and the Hellenic Armed Forces after the German retreat from Greece. During this period the Spitfires and their pilots battled on constantly... While World War II was about to end in most parts of Europe, bringing peace and prosperity, this was not the case with Greece, which was about to enter a new phase of fraternal bloodshed. Since October 1944 the German occupation forces had been retreating from western Greece to act as reinforcements against the Allied invasions in Normandy and Italy. After the last German soldier left from Athens, fleeing northbound, during November 1944 a political vacuum opened up. The Greek government in exile and the Royal family, that were supposed to take charge of Greece, were undermined by the Greek pro-communist guerrilla groups. These had grown strong in the rugged mountainous terrain of mainland Greece, harassing the Wehrmacht units based there under the German occupation. During WWII British Commando forces helped these groups with ammunition, weapons and support to continue a campaign of sabotage against the German infrastructure. Following the liberation, as the Wehrmacht was commencing its slow retreat, these groups demanded a more liberal government, with themselves in charge, instead of the Government in exile. After a clash with Greek security forces in Athens in December 1944, the communist groups literally conquered Athens and brought chaos to the civilian population. The British Forces (Ark Force) under the orders of General Scoby and Wing Commander Geofrey W.Tuttle (AOC RAF) took the matter in hand.
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