Athens marks 82nd anniversary of liberation from Nazi occupation

Commemorations are being held to mark the 82nd anniversary of the liberation of Athens, which occurred on October 12, 1944, following 1,264 days of German occupation. Ceremonies include the raising of the Greek flag on the Acropolis, attended by high-ranking officials such as President Konstantinos Tasoulas and Mayor Haris Doukas.

Historical records and archival footage from ERT document the departure of German forces, who lowered the Nazi flag from the Acropolis and left the city as an 'unfortified' zone. While the withdrawal from Athens was largely without combat, subsequent events in Piraeus on October 13, known as the 'Battle of the Electricity Plant,' involved intense fighting between German commandos and ELAS forces to prevent the destruction of vital energy infrastructure.

The period following liberation was marked by both immense public celebration and rising political tensions that eventually contributed to the Greek Civil War. Historical accounts also note the complex role of Allied forces and the treatment of collaborationist groups during the transition of power.