Ioannis Zisis

Ioannis Zisis (Greek: Ιωάννης Ζήσης, 1888-1941) was a Greek Army general during 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 ordered disarmed and interned by the Turks.^[2]

References

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