Military, Commander of Thrace

F:. Ypsilanti

(Trichonida – Athens)

He pursued a military career, studying at the Evelpidon School and then at the Higher War College in Paris. In 1912, as a lieutenant, he took part in the Balkan Wars. He was posted as a staff officer in Moschopoulos’ IV Division and participated in the planning of a circular manoeuvre and final victory at the Battle of Sarandapore. Proposed a plan, to the Commander-in-Chief Sapountzakis and Commander-in-Chief Konstantinos, for the occupation of a strategic position that would lead to the capture of the Byzantine stronghold of Ioannina (21. 2. 1913). In the Second Balkan War against the Bulgarians as a captain he distinguished himself in the deadly battle of Kilkis. In World War I he served as Lieutenant Colonel Chief of Staff of the II Division and later served as Colonel Deputy Chief of Staff of the Smyrna General Staff (2/1920). In March 1920, he was appointed Chief of Staff of the Thrace Army under the great officer Lieutenant General Zymvrakakis, contributing to the formation and occupation of Western and Eastern Thrace. In August 1923 he resigned from the army and settled in Athens in order to become a politician. However, the 1923 Monarchy reinsertion movement found him opposed and he organized democratic forces of 3000 volunteers. With this body he contributed to the fall of the monarchy and the proclamation of the Second Greek Republic (Al. Papanastasiou). He was repeatedly elected as a deputy of Athens and in 1930 he was appointed Minister General Governor of Thrace.