RESISTANCE AND RELIEF, GREECE IN WORLD WAR II AND THE GREEK WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION AN EXHIBIT Despina M. Kreatsoulas B.A., California State University, Sacramento, 2008 PROJECT Submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS in HISTORY (Public History) at CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO FALL 2010 RESISTANCE AND RELIEF, GREECE IN WORLD WAR II AND THE GREEK WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION AN EXHIBIT A Project by Despina M. Kreatsoulas Approved by: __________________________________, Committee Chair Lee Simpson, PhD. __________________________________, Second Reader Katerina Lagos, PhD. ____________________________ Date ii Student: Despina M. Kreatsoulas I certify that this student has met the requirements for format contained in the University format manual, and that this project is suitable for shelving in the Library and credit is to be awarded for the Project. __________________________, Graduate Coordinator ________________________ Lee Simpson, PhD. Date Department of History iii Abstract of RESISTANCE AND RELIEF, GREECE IN WORLD WAR II AND THE GREEK WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION AN EXHIBIT by Despina M. Kreatsoulas This project was installed at the Tsakopoulos Gallery of the California State University, Sacramento Library. In preparation for this exhibit, the author worked in several capacities. She conducted research in both the United States and Greece and interned for a semester in the CSUS Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA), assisting in processing and analysis of the Basil J. Vlavianos Collection. Additionally, the author interviewed individuals who participated in the Resistance or in relief efforts; obtained ephemera from individuals throughout the United States to be included in the exhibit; and served on a committee that planned, designed and installed the exhibit entitled “Resistance and Relief, Axis Occupied Greece, 1941-1944” which ran from April 6 through May 1, 2010. Though coming from different fields of practice, all individuals involved in this exhibit were extremely dedicated to the goal of telling a little-known story about the devastating famine in Greece, the valor of the Greeks who resisted Axis forces and the hugely significant role that Greek-Americans played in both sending relief to and changing political policy affecting Greece. _______________________, Committee Chair Lee Simpson, PhD. _______________________ Date iv DEDICATION For my parents and godparents who instilled in me a thirst for knowledge, a passion for history and a sense of pride for my heritage and faith - thank you for your love, support and patience, even when I may not always have deserved it. v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS In producing this exhibit, I would like to acknowledge and thank the Hellenic Studies Program, the Tsakopoulos Foundation, and the Annunciation Endowment Fund for their financial support. Additionally, Sheila O’Neil and Aaron Richardson of the Special Collections and University Archives at Sacramento State were of great service and support. Gregory Pappas, of the Greek America Foundation generously shared his priceless Greek War Relief Association poster and memorabilia collection – many items of which are one-of-a-kind. Christos Epperson of the Mnimi Foundation provided film footage and authentic German artillery and a rare Fallschirmjager uniform. Many thanks also go to Nick Alexander who shared his mother’s photographs and needles from her service as a Red Cross nurse in World War II as well as a rare postcard depicting the ovens at Dachau. I would also like to thank Dr. Katerina Lagos - my academic mentor - for the amazing opportunities, support and guidance she has given me during the past five years. Participating in the production of this most noteworthy project was truly the experience of a lifetime. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Dedication ..................................................................................................................... v Acknowledgments......................................................................................................... vi List of Figures ............................................................................................................... viii Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 1 2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE .................................................................................. 11 3. HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF “RESISTANCE AND RELIEF” AN EXAMINATION OF AXIS OCCUPIED GREECE AND THE GREEK WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION ......................................................................................... 24 4. THE PROJECT ........................................................................................................ 34 5. FINDINGS ............................................................................................................... 50 Appendix A. Text Panels and Illustrations .................................................................. 54 Appendix B. Press Release .......................................................................................... 92 Appendix C. Promotional Postcard and Poster ............................................................ 94 Bibliography ................................................................................................................. 95 vii LIST OF FIGURES Page 1. Title Wall ................................................................................................................. 55 2. German Soldier wearing Fallschmjager uniform .....................................................56 3. Photograph of Mr. George Tzikas, resistance fighter in Greece ..............................57 4. Basil J. Vlavianos and Ethnikos Keryx ....................................................................58 5. Triple Occupation of Greece .....................................................................................58 6. German strategic map of Crete ................................................................................59 7. German helmets and artillery ...................................................................................60 8. Famine and Blockade ................................................................................................62 9. Famine and Blockade text panel ...............................................................................63 10. Famine and Blockade wall ......................................................................................63 11. Famine and Blockade wall (continued) ..................................................................64 12. View of north side of exhibit ..................................................................................64 13. Story of the Blanket ................................................................................................65 14. Evangelia’s Blanket ................................................................................................66 15. What of the Future? ................................................................................................67 16. Weighing 84 ounces of bread .................................................................................67 17. Northern walls .........................................................................................................68 18. The Greek War Relief Association .........................................................................68 viii 19. The Greek War Relief Association – Archbishop Athenagoras, Spyros Skouras and Basil J. Vlavianos....................................................................................................70 20. GWRA Fundraising Efforts ...................................................................................70 21. GWRA Propaganda ................................................................................................72 22. Ephemera from Vlavianos collection......................................................................73 23. Ephemera from Pappas collection ..........................................................................74 24. Ephemera from Greek-American community members .........................................75 25. Aid arrives in Greece ..............................................................................................78 26. Relief arrives in Greece ..........................................................................................79 27. Relief ships and authentic grain bag used in relief deliveries .................................79 28. Relief arrives in Greece – soup kitchens and clothing donations ...........................80 29. Greek Resistance Fighters .......................................................................................80 30. Resistance fighters and photo album of Costas Couvaras, a Greek-American who fought with the Greek Resistance ...........................................................................81 31. The Holocaust in Greece .........................................................................................83 32. Holocaust in Greece statistics report .......................................................................85 33. Red Cross Nurses ....................................................................................................87 34. Medical needles belonging to Marietta Alexander .................................................88 35. Mousalimas uniform/medals ...................................................................................89