TINKA DUMKOVA (1926-1949) - Part 02

399 Vangel Aianovski-Oche, A Critical Review of the Development of the Workers’, Communist and National Liberation Movement in Voden and Voden Region..., p. 372. 400 According to the recollections of Angel Gatsev... 401 Vangel Aianovski-Oche, Aegean Storms..., p. 159. 162 Later, with the formation of TOMO, the Macedonian liberation organization in Voden Region, Kosta was among the first to join its ranks and worked tirelessly to expand it. Unfortunately at the same time the CPG leadership was pursuing a nationalistic policy towards the Macedonian liberation movement, which worked against the Macedonian national question. And because of those chauvinistic policies the CPG exposed TOMO to great difficulties. The CPG didn’t want Macedonian organizations to exist but wanted to recruit the Macedonian people into its own organization to aid in the struggle against the reactionaries who were wreaking havoc all throughout Aegean Macedonia. But despite the threats and slander the CPG nationalist elements exacted against TOMO, its Macedonian activists managed to attract a large number of Macedonians not only from the general population but also Macedonians from the CPG activists and officials from Voden and Voden Region, including Kosta Kuzev-Dini. Unfortunately being Macedonian Kosta was on a collision course with the Greek CPG leadership in Voden Region.

As a member of TOMO, Kosta developed a wide range of propaganda activities. So, together with a number of prominent Macedonians, Kosta agitated the Macedonian population in Voden Region to struggle against the Greek regime. Because of Kosta’s rigorous involvement with TOMO, he was appointed a member of the TOMO City Board responsible for agitation and propaganda. 402

Later, after NOF cells began to appear in Voden Region, Kosta Kuzev joined NOF and continued his patriotic struggle until the end of his life.

At the end of December 1945, a conference between NOF and CPG representatives took place in Solun. It was also attended by CPG delegates from Voden Region including Trifun Shindev and Kosta Kuzev. During the discussions Trifun and Kosta demanded that the CPG recognize NOF as a progressive and revolutionary organization. They also demanded that the CPG end its defamation campaign against NOF and its members. Unexpectedly and to the surprise of those who were present, Nikos Zahariadis, CPG

402 Ibid: p. 161. 163 Secretary General, did recognize NOF as a Macedonian national liberation organization of Aegean Macedonia. 403

Kosta Kuzev’s revolutionary activity in the ranks of the Macedonian National Liberation Movement lasted without interruption until his arrest in the second half of 1946. He was arrested and thrown in a Voden prison where he was brutally tortured. He was then transferred to a concentration camp on the island Macronisos where he was held until 1950. After that he was taken to a camp in Solun where he was murdered in a mysterious way, probably by poisoning.

403 According to the recollections of Trifun Shindev from the village Teovo, Voden Region. Trifun was an active participant in the National Liberation War and in DAG. 164 IANI LUKROV (1922-1948)

Iani Lukrov was a prominent fighter in the Macedonian National Liberation War and in the Democratic Army of Greece. Iani was from the village of Vmbel, Kostur Region. He was born in 1922 to a poor farming family with a revolutionary tradition.

In 1936, after finishing primary school in his native village, Iani and his father Risto went to work for shoemaker Naso Tolev, in the village Rula, to learn how to make shoes. 404

In 1937, after mastering the shoemaking craft, Iani opened his own shoemaking workshop in the village square. 405 His shoemaker’s workshop was successful right from the start. He was kind to his customers and people in general so they respected him.

Iani was working in his shop when the fascists occupied Greece. During the occupation Iani’s workshop was turned into a safe place for people to meet and have conversations, which gave Iani a chance to become acquainted with progressive ideas spread around by the more enlightened villagers. The older villagers often spoke of life under Ottoman rule in Macedonia, about the Ilinden Uprising and about the new Greek rulers who, after the Balkan wars, carried out unheard of terror campaigns and assimilation practices against the Macedonian population in the Macedonian villages. These kinds of conversations naturally greatly influenced Iani’s development of his Macedonian national consciousness. 406

At the end of 1942, Iani and a number of more enlightened young people from his native village joined OKNE, the communist run youth organization. As an active member of this organization, Iani was responsible for the youth in the village Vmbel. Thanks to his tireless efforts in the struggle against the occupier, in 1943 he was included in the CPG village party organization secretariat. 407 His

404 According to the recollections of Sotir Lukrov, Iani Lukrov’s brother. Sotir was a participant in the National Liberation War and in DAG. 405 Ibid. 406 According to the recollections of Nikola Panovski from the village Vmbel. Nikola was NOF secretary of the Local and District Boards in Kostur Region. 407 Ibid. 165 responsibility in the ranks of the Party was to agitate the people and get them to struggle en masse against the occupiers and domestic traitors.

At the end of 1943, Iani and several of his fellow villagers voluntarily joined the ranks of ELAS and fought in its combat units with zeal.

In early May 1944, Iani and a group of Macedonian ELAS partisans vigorously opposed the CPG and ELAS’s incorrect stance on the Macedonian national question and in protest left ELAS and crossed over into the Republic of Macedonia where they continued to fight against the occupier. 408

In the second half of July 1944, after an agreement was reached between the CPG and CPM, Iani and a group of Macedonian partisans from Kostur and Lerin Regions returned to their homeland and immediately joined the ranks of “Gotse”, the newly formed Macedonian battalion. 409

At the beginning of October 1944, there was another misunderstanding between the Macedonian ELAS partisans and the CPG and ELAS leaderships. For its own reasons, 410 ELAS command issued orders to disband the Macedonian “Gotse” battalion. The Macedonian fighters vigorously opposed the order arguing that the reasons 411 given by the CPG and ELAS leaderships were unjust. So, in order to avoid bloodshed, the Macedonian fighters again crossed over into the Republic of Macedonia. Iani Lukrov crossed with them. When they arrived in the village Velushina, near Bitola, the fighters were reorganized into a special battalion. Iani was promoted to deputy commander of a company in that battalion. Everyone in the special battalion was a Macedonian

408 According to the recollections of Evdokia Baliova-Vera, Vasko Makrievski and Miltiadi Kovachevski. 409 Ibid. 410 The Greeks in CPG and ELAS commands didn’t want Macedonian armed organizations within their compositions. 411 The official reason given for this, as explained by the Greek leadership, was to ease Greek concerns. The special Macedonian units apparently had allegedly awakened “nationalism” and “separatism” in the ranks of the Macedonian people, which were detrimental to the common Greek-Macedonian struggle. 166 from Kostur and Lerin Regions. As a special battalion, the fighters from Kostur and Lerin Regions were added to the 49th Division of the Macedonian National Liberation Army. 412

Later the First Aegean Assault Brigade was created, consisting of Macedonians from Greece. Iani was appointed deputy commander of a company in the special battalion of the assault brigade. As part of this brigade, Iani participated in all the battles fought in the Kichevo, Gostivar, Tetovo and other areas. 413

In May 1945, after the First Aegean Assault Brigade was disbanded, Iani Lukrov was deployed in KNOJ, in the Fourth Brigade whose headquarters was in the city Bitola. Iani was praised and decorated several times for his achievements in the JNA units. 414

In mid-1946, at his own request, Iani was demobilized by the JNA and immediately left for the Aegean part of Macedonia to fight against the new Greek reactionary authorities in Greece and their British supporters. On December 20, 1946, he voluntarily joined DAG and in a very short time reached responsible positions. As an exemplary and experienced fighter, he conscientiously performed all his assigned duties in a timely manner. He showed special courage and heroism in the dramatic battles fought against government units on Mounts Karakamen and Kaimakchalan. While fighting in those battles, Iani was promoted to the rank of captain and commanded a company. 415

In 1947, during a fierce and bloody battle on Mount Karakamen, Iani lost his hearing due to a nearby detonation. With great sorrow and pain in his heart, he was forced to leave his post and go for treatment in one of DAG’s partisan hospitals. During his treatment, Iani also spent some time with his family in his native village Vmbel. 416

412 According to the recollections of Micho Karandzhovski and Vasko Makrievski. 413 According to the recollections of Evdokia Baliova-Vera, Vasko Makrievski and Micho Karandzhovski... 414 Ibid. 415 T. Karameshev, Lukrov Iani. “For the Holy National Freedom”... p. 149. 416 According to the recollections of Evdokia Baliova-Vera and Miltiadi Kovachevski... 167 A few months later, after his health improved, Iani received orders from DAG leadership to form an independent partisan unit to act in the background and maintain a watch for possible enemy attacks. Iani was appointed leader of the unit and the unit was dispatched to act in Koreshtata, Vicho and surrounding areas. 417

In early April 1948, the entire DAG 18th Brigade was decimated after fighting a fierce battle. Later, when it assembled in the village Breznitsa, Kostur Region, the 18th Brigade’s composition was supplemented with fighters from DAG’s rear units acting in the surrounding areas, which included Iani Lukrov’s company.

On April 20, 1948, after the 18th Brigade was reorganized, Iani’s unit received orders to ambush the road leading from Kostur to Rupishta, in the “Kosturazh” locality, 418 near the village Bogatsko. An unequal and fierce battle broke out during which Iani Lukrov and many of his fighters were killed. They laid down their lives fighting at the altar for the Macedonian people’s freedom. 419

The Monarcho-Fascists treated Iani Lukrov’s body brutally. They took it to Kostur and dragged it through the streets to frighten the people.

DAG’s leadership posthumously promoted Iani to the rank of Major.

417 Ibid. 418 According to the recollections of Dimitar Pankov from the village Vmbel. Dimitar was Iani Lukrov’s courier. 419 T. Karameshev, Lukrov Iani. “For the Holy National Freedom”... p. 149. 168 SOTIR LIUTIKOV (1916-1948)

Sotir Liutikov was the first fighter to come out from his village Zagorichani, Kostur Region. Zagorichani is well-known for its revolutionary tradition. Sotir was born to a Macedonian agricultural family in which the Ilinden traditions were nurtured and persistently passed down from generation to generation. Gotse Delchev, the legendary leader of the Macedonian people, was always remembered in the Liutikov house. During his travels through Macedonia, Delchev always found hospitality in Hadzhi-Iani Liutikov’s house. Hadzhi-Iani was Sotir’s grandfather. 420

From his early years Sotir had felt the weight of national and social oppression on his shoulders and because of that he began to express his dissatisfaction politically.

Two years after he completed his military service in the Greek army, Sotir and hundreds of other Macedonians like him, in October 1940, were sent to fight in the Greco-Italian war where Sotir was severely wounded. 421

In 1942, after recovering from his wounds, Sotir left the hospital and returned to Zagorichani where he immediately took up arms to protect his villagers from oppression perpetrated by the Greek nationalists.

In the second half of October 1944, due to the unprincipled attitude of the Greek resistance leadership towards the Macedonian national question, Sotir and other Macedonian fighters in protest crossed over the border into the territory of the Republic of Macedonia. 422

In November 1944, the First Aegean Strike Brigade was created in Bitola exclusively consisting of Macedonians from Greek occupied

420 Hristo Andonovski-Polianski, “Gotse Delchev”. Kultura, Skopje, 1972, p. 200. This information comes from Stoiche Kuzmanov’s “Recollections”. 421 According to the recollections of Vasil Chulev from the village Zagorichani. Vasil was a fighter in DAG and head of the workshop for heavy weapons repair. 422 According to the recollections of Alekso Sugarchev and Kuzo Nanev both from the village Zagorichani, both fighters of the First Aegean Assault Brigade and later of the DAG 18th Brigade. 169 Macedonia. Sotir was part of that composition and among the first to join the Brigade and to continue to fight against the occupier and against the Balisti gangs led by Dzhemo and Mefail in the liberation of Kichevo, Gostivar, Tetovo and Sharplanina. Sotir fought until the end of April 1945 when the Strike Brigade was disbanded. 423 Sotir also took part in the battles at the Srem Front for the final push to expel the German occupiers from Yugoslavia. 424

After the end of World War II, Sotir was still in Yugoslavia and was appointed assistant shopkeeper in the Bakery Detachment of the Belgrade Commandant’s Office. On December 17, 1945 he was transferred to the military department in Bitola where he served until April 9, 1946. Sotir served in the JNA for seven months. 425

At the end of 1946, Sotir voluntarily returned to the territory of Aegean Macedonia and immediately afterwards joined the struggle against the new Greek nationalist gangs that terrorized the Macedonian population with even greater ferocity.

At the end of April 1947, DAG General Staff issued an order to form a special military cavalry unit in “Vicho”. 426 The following people were placed in charge of implementing the order: Former Platoon Commander Argir Volchev from the village Bmboki, Kostur Region, Platoon commander Sotir Liutikov, Fighter Angel Dolev, Fighter Dimitar Samardzhiev all from the village Zagorichani and Fighter Pavle Chikov from the village Gorentsi, Kostur Region. 427 For the first time in DAG’s history a military cavalry unit was formed, which in a very short time grew into a cavalry squadron with about 100 cavalry fighters, most of them Macedonians. This cavalry squadron was growing day by day so fast that after several months, several villages in Lerin, Kostur and Kailari Regions were placed under its control.

423 A list of the names of fighters who joined the First Aegean Strike Brigade can be found in the late Mihailo Keramitchiev’s private archives. 424 According to the recollections of Risto Mishevski from the village Mokreni, Kostur Region. Risto was a participant in the National Liberation War and in DAG. He was also Sotir Liutikov’s comrade-in-arms. 425 JNA military service card issued to Sotir Liutikov under number 395907. 426 Recollections of K. T. Kept in INI. 427 Ibid. 170 In the beginning of August 1947, the cavalrymen carried out several successful actions and captured the villages Biraltsi, Rokita, Chor, Palior, Trebishta and Lipintsi in Kailari Region. 428 During the night of August 12, 1947, the cavalrymen stormed the village Embore in Kailari Region and attacked the MAI (Provincial Security Unit) gendarmerie station. 429

A few days later, the horsemen attacked the village Lipintsi, Kailari Region. A company from the DAG 18th Brigade led by Lambro Gakidov-Dzhavela also took part in the attack. The moment the joint force attacked, the armed villagers panicked and fled to the town Kailari. 430

In the second half of August 1947, the cavalry attacked enemy strongholds in Shestevska Buka in “Bukovik”, Kostur Region. Unfortunately its action ended without success. After three or hour fierce attempts, the cavalry retreated to the village Gabresh, Kostur Region.

During September 1947, the cavalry squadron carried out several successful operations in the Kostur villages, which until then were still in the hands of the Greek gendarmerie. Among the villages liberated were Mavrovo, Zdraltsi, Sliveni, Zhupanishta, Sveta Nedela and Gorentsi. 431 It is important to mention at this point that Sotir Liutikov fought heroically in all these operations and served as an example to his comrades.

During January and February 1948, the cavalry squadron operated near the village Rakovo, Lerin Region. From there the horsemen

428 According to the recollections of Gligorios Lucris from the village Psoderi, Lerin Region. Gligorios was a participant in the National Liberation War and in DAG, an inductee in the cavalry squadron who served in the DAG units of DAG “Vicho” Headquarters. 429 Information bulletin of DAG “Vicho” Headquarters, dated August 15, 1947, regarding DAG unit activities in the area of Vicho. Macedonian archives. Collection: “Aegean Macedonia in the National Liberation War 1945-1949” AE: 182/47. 430 According to the recollections Lambro Gakidov Dzhavela from the village Srebreno, Lerin Region. Lambro was commander of a battalion in the DAG 18th brigade. 431 Recollections of KT... 171 attacked the villages Sveta Petka, Klabuchishta, Negochani, Kalenik, Kleshtina and the airport near the city Lerin. 432

At the end of February 1948, by order of DAG “Vicho” Headquarters, the cavalry squadron moved to the village Zherveni, Lerin Region. At about the same time DAG Lt. Col. Nestoras Tsogas arrived in Zherveni from Hasia, Thessaly with about 35 cavalrymen. Upon his arrival Tsogas requested that DAG General Headquarters combine the two squadrons into a battalion. The unification took place in the village Zherveni and it was announced that a special DAG cavalry battalion was created. 433 Nestoras Tsogas was appointed commander of the battalion and Kiriako Tsalev was appointed political commissioner. Tsalev was from the village D’mbeni, Kostur Region. Sotir Liutikov was appointed platoon commander leading about 25 cavalrymen.

In the beginning of March 1948, after the two cavalry formations were combined, the cavalry battalion moved to the Mount Paiak-Kaimakchalan sector where it began military operations against the armed villagers in Voden, Gumendze and Enidzhe-Vadar Regions. A third cavalry unit, with about 40 fighters, joined the cavalry battalion at the village Tushim, “Kaimakchalan”. 434

In the second half of March 1948, the cavalry battalion arrived on Mount Paiak. During its first operation involving the attack on the village Europos, Gumendzhe Region, Sotir demonstrated special courage.

At the beginning of April, 1948, the cavalry carried out successful attacks against the villages Trifulchevo and Nedirchevo in Enidzhe-Vardar Region, Boimitsa in Gumendzhe Region and Vladovo and Krontselovo in Voden Region. The cavalry also repulsed enemy counterattacks in the villages Mala and Golema Livada in Gumendzhe Region and in the village Severiani in Meglen Region.

432 According to the recollections of Gligorios Lucris... 433 For more details of the DAG cavalry battalion formation and its activities: Tashko Mamurovski. DAG cavalry battalion and its military actions. INI Bulletin, Skopje, 1979, XXIII, no. 1, pp. 177-198. 434 According to the recollections of Gligorios Lucris... 172 In mid-April 1948, one of the fiercest battles was fought on the slopes of Mount Skra in which the cavalry battalion took part. 435 It was an unequal fight in which DAG Platoon Commander Sotir Liutikov and many of his cavalrymen heroically laid down their lives at the altar for the Macedonian people’s freedom.

Posthumously DAG General Staff promoted Sotir Liutikov to Captain.

435 Ibid. 173 VANGEL MANGOV (1912-1947)

Vangel Mangov was among one of the more prominent Macedonian revolutionaries and activists from Kostur Region, who dedicated his entire life for the freedom of his people. Vangel was born in 1912, in the village Zhupanishta, to a poor agricultural family but with progressive and revolutionary ideas. In 1926, after finishing primary school in his native village, eager to learn more, Vangel continued his education first at the Kostur High School and then at the Tsotil High School. 436

As a high school student, Vangel became acquainted with progressive working class ideas and decided to support labour movement programs in the country. Because of this he was expelled from high school.

In 1930, Vangel delivered a fiery speech against the exploitation of the working class at a rally in the church above the village of Drenoveni, Kostur Region. Because of that he was arrested by the Greek police and sent to prison in Kostur. 437

In the period from 1933 to 1936, Vangel Mangov, well-known propagandist of progressive ideas in his district, actively promoted propaganda during the pre-election campaign for parliamentary elections in Greece. Because of this he was again arrested by the Greek police and sentenced to four months in prison. 438

In 1939, during Ioannis Metaxas’s dictatorship in Greece, Vangel, along with hundreds of other progressives from Kostur Region, was arrested for the third time by the Greek authorities, brutally tortured and sentenced to nine months in prison. It is worth mentioning at this point that because of his revolutionary ideas, Vangel’s house was constantly searched by the Greek police and the gendarmerie. 439

436 Mangov Vangel. “For the holy national freedom”..., p. 151. 437 According to the recollections of Ana Mangova, Vangel’s sister. Ana was a participant in the National Liberation War and in DAG. 438 Mangov Vangel. “For the holy national freedom”..., p. 151. 439 According to the recollections of Micho Shishkov from the village Zhupanishta. Micho served as commissar in the “Lazo Trpovski” detachment. In 174 After his release from prison, Vangel Mangov was mobilized into the Greek army and sent to the front to fight the Italian Fascists.

Later, after the Albanian front fell, Vangel threw himself with enthusiasm and sacrifice into the struggle against the German-Italian and Bulgarian occupiers. He also participated in the collection and storage of abandoned weapons left behind by Greek troops withdrawing from the Albanian front. Vangel was also instrumental in organizing the villagers to struggle against the foreign occupiers and domestic traitors.

In 1942, Vangel was arrested by the occupying authorities for the murder of the traitor Captain Lakis and sentenced to 11 months in prison. His tragedy became even greater when his wife Sofia and their child were thrown into prison. His child died from cruel torture. 440

After his release from prison, Vangel didn’t stop struggling. He immediately joined the anti-fascist movement, first as a leader of political organizations in Kostur Region, and then as an ELAS political commissar of a partisan detachment. 441 He also tirelessly agitated the Macedonian population against the danger of Bulgarian fascist propaganda whose aim was to throw the Macedonian people into a fratricidal war.

In May 1944, Vangel and other ELAS Macedonian fighters, who disagreed with the CPG and ELAS’s incorrect policy regarding the Macedonian national question, left ELAS in protest and crossed over the border into the Republic of Macedonia. There they formed armed units composed exclusively of Macedonians from Greek occupied Macedonia and resumed their fighting against the occupiers and domestic traitors. 442

1945 Micho was appointed NOF District leadership secretary in Kostur-Prespa District. 440 Mangov Vangel. “For the holy national freedom”..., p. 151. 441 Ibid. 442 Pressured by the CPG leadership, SNOF in Kostur Region made an announcement to the Macedonian people condemning Naum Peiov’s actions for encouraging the Macedonian fighters to leave ELAS. “Aegean Macedonia in the National Liberation War 1944-1945”, Vol. I, doc. 105, pp. 118-119. Also see 175 Later, in November 1944, serving as political commissar of a battalion in the First Aegean Strike Brigade, consisting exclusively of Macedonian fighters from Greek occupied Macedonia, Vangel bravely fought for the final push to evict the occupier and put down the Balisti gangs around the cities Tetovo, Kichevo and Gostivar.

After the First Aegean Strike Brigade was disbanded Vangel Mangov and a group of Macedonians from Greek occupied Macedonia were sent to a political party course in Skopje. Upon their successful completion they were made available to the NOF leadership for assignments.

In late spring in 1945, Vangel Mangov and others returned to their homeland and went to Mount Malimadi where they began to struggle against the new reactionary authorities in Greece.

Later, in 1946, thanks to his tireless effort and sacrifice in the struggle against the Greek reactionaries, Vangel was appointed political commissar of a partisan detachment. 443 He proved himself a capable leader and fighter in a very short time, standing out among the other DAG fighters. Vangel was already an experienced revolutionary and fighter for Macedonian rights so it was by no coincidence that in 1946 the Greek authorities put a price on his head. It was announced in the newspapers that a reward of 250,000 drachmas was offered for his liquidation. 444

On March 26, 1947, Vangel Mangov left for a combat mission that was to take place at the Sliven Monastery where an enemy unit was stationed. Unfortunately he was betrayed and was surrounded by government troops waiting for him on the road on his way there. Vangel ran, but knowing he would be captured he threw himself

letter from ELAS detachment - “Vicho” to the Macedonian National Liberation Army unit in Prespa, requesting the return of the 30 fighters who broke away from ELAS and joined the ranks of the Macedonian National Liberation Army. “Aegean Macedonia in the National Liberation War 1944-1945”, Vol. I... doc. 109, pp. 122-123. 443 Mangov Vangel. “For the Holy People’s Freedom”..., p. 152. 444 Ibid. 176 from a high rock into the Bistritsa River hoping to save himself, but during the leap an enemy bullet fatally pierced his body.

The next day villagers from the village Sliveni found Vangel’s dead body lying on the bank of Bistritsa. 445 The Monarcho-Fascists retrieved him and transported him by truck to the police station in Chetirok. There they cut off his head and put it in a box. Then they gave it to a little boy named Paskal, for him take it to Kostur to frighten the people. 446

445 According to the recollections of Ana Mangova... 446 Mangov Vangel. “For the holy national freedom”..., p. 152. 177 TANAS MANOV (1926-1947)

Tanas Manov was born in the village Bapchor, Kostur Region, in 1926 to a poor farming family. After finishing primary school he and his brothers, Giorgi, Mane and Iovan, helped their parents look after the farm and livestock.

During the German, Italian and Bulgarian occupation, although still young, Tanas got involved in the struggle against the occupier and worked doing background activities and, with other young people, served as a courier. He did this until the end of the fascist occupation.

After the Varkiza Agreement was signed Tanas and his family, former members of the anti-fascist movement, were persecuted by the then reactionary regime in Greece. 447 During this unbearable situation Tanas, along with other patriots from his village, was forced to go underground.

Towards the end of the spring in 1945, after a NOF cell was opened in Tanas’s village, Tanas joined NOF and served as an activist. During the same time EAM was organizing protests and demonstrations in the city Kostur against the Greek reactionary regime. The NOF organization from Bapchor as well as other NOF organizations from the surrounding villages participated in those demonstrations. Tanas Manov was among the protesters who openly shouted slogans against the monarchy. Demonstrations like these were often organized. 448

It is worth mentioning at this point that Tanas’s father Risto, who was also a progressive, was often harassed by the Greek police because he harboured revolutionary ideas and because his children were involved in radical activities.

447 According to the recollections of Tanas Andreev from the village Bapchor. Andreev was a participant in the National Liberation War and in DAG. During the Greek Civil War he maintained the telephone connection between the Headquarters of the 18th DAG Brigade, i.e. the 11th DAG Division, DAG General Staff and some DAG units. 448 Ibid. 178 When the first NOF armed groups began to appear on Mount Vicho in the first half of 1946, the fighters in these groups were welcomed in Bapchor because the village had already been organized to struggle against the Greek reactionaries.

Around the end of March 1946, the Greek police blockaded Bapchor and conducted house to house searches. Tanas and his comrades immediately informed the local activists and helped them escape and take refuge in the “Shipkovo” locality on Mount Vicho. 449

During the night of August 18, 1946 a NOF military unit, led by Giorgi Kalkov from the village Visheni and his deputy Giorgi Sharin-Liliak from the village Bapchor, attacked the Bapchor police station. The NOF fighters however were unable to destroy the police station because the NOF unit was ill-prepared and the attack ended without success. After the failed attack the partisans retreated to Mount Vicho. Greek troops were immediately dispatched from the villages Visheni and Konomlati (Kolomnati) and blocked the village so no one else could leave. But some people from Bapchor, including Kole Peikov, Stase Andreev, Tanas Andreev, Vasil Bogdanov, Stratigo Bogdanov, Naum Dimov and others who were outside the village during the blockade, after long deliberation, decided to return home in hopes that the Greek troops wouldn’t burn their houses down. 450 But other villagers, including Tanas Manev, Vasil Manev, Iovan Manev, Vasil Shamanovski, Giorgi Peiov, etc., who decided not to return, avoided the fate of those who did return. Those who returned were immediately arrested along with several dozen other villagers and brutally tortured in the village school. They broke Vasil Bogdanov’s arms. They broke Risto Apostolov’s head, etc. Later they all joined Giorgi Kalkov’s detachment. 451

All prisoners, a total of 64 people, were taken to the village Zherveni where the villagers helped the wounded. They were then

449 Information on the village Bapchor in Kostur Region can be found in INI. 450 According to the recollections of Risto Tsigulev from the village Bapchor. Risto was a participant in the National Liberation War and in DAG. Also according to the recollections of Tanas Andreev... 451 According to the recollections of Giorgi Peikov, from the village Bapchor. Giorgi was a participant in the National Liberation War and in DAG. Giorgi was also commander of a company in the DAG 18th brigade. 179 transferred by truck from Zherveni to Kostur. There they were again harassed and ridiculed by the reactionary elements. Of the 64, 15 were sent to the Kozheni prison and brought before a military court. A few days later the others were also taken to Kozheni. They remained there in prison from August 1946 until January 1947. It wasn’t until the following year that they were brought back to Kostur and brought before a military court. With the amnesty 59 were released and the other 5 were kept in prison because they were considered “dangerous” by the regime. 452 A short while later they were all released.

On March 12, 1947, Tanas’s father Risto and his son Giorgi were re-arrested through betrayal by the Greek police and kept locked up in Risto’s barn. The two were then tried by a military court in Kostur and sent to the notorious Greek prisons to serve their ten year sentences in various concentration camps on the dry Greek islands. 453

Tanas Manov, since the NOF and CPG forces were combined to form joint units in November 1946, continued to serve in Giorgi Kalkov’s detachment fighting for DAG. Tanas took part in the numerous battles fought on Mount Vicho during which time he was wounded on the leg. After his recovery Tanas returned to the ranks of DAG and continued to fight at various places in Aegean Macedonia and Greece.

On March 31, 1947, during the battle to capture the village Revani in Kostur Region, Tanas Manov was hit by an enemy bullet. 454

452 Information on the village Bapchor in Kostur Region... Also according to the recollections of Giorgi Peikov... 453 Mane Manov’s virtues can’t be forgotten. Mane Manov was Tanas Manov’s brother. He was born in 1924. For a short time during the Greek Civil War Mane served as a personal courier for Pando Shiperkov, a prominent Macedonian revolutionary and DAG fighter. He later joined the ranks of the DAG 18th Brigade and served in Giorgi Peikov’s company. During the summer enemy offensive on Mount Gramos in 1948, Mane was severely wounded and died of his wounds in the city Korcha. 454 According to the recollections of Giorgi Peikov... Also see Information on the village Bapchor... 180 The Monarcho-Fascists brutally mistreated Tanas’s dead body even after his death. They beheaded him and placed his head on a spear and then took it to the city Kostur. There they paraded his head through the city streets to scare the people and prove to them that the reactionaries were capable of killing even the bravest of Macedonians like Tanas Manov.

In recognition of Tanas’s deeds, a third victim from the village Bapchor to die in DAG’s ranks, the following song was composed by a folk singer:

Is it for you, Macedonia, that I fought with great desire, I fought with great desire to set you free.

From the first wound I survived, the second wound did not leave me, to walk our terrain, our dear Macedonia.

Tanas’s mother is waiting for him to come back to her, but Tanas is gone, he fell and died.

Cry mother, cry father, cry sister, for my youth, cry terrain for your leaves.

You for your leaves terrain, I for my youth, your leaves my sister terrain, will return to you again. But my youth, terrain, will not come back.

181 SOTIR MIOVSKI (1923-1949)

The villagers from the beautiful Prespa village Orovo as well as hundreds of villagers from other Macedonian villages in the Aegean part of Macedonia, together with the democratic forces of Greece most actively participated in the Greek Civil War and made great sacrifices for the freedom of their people. Sotir Miovski was among the most prominent citizens of Orovo who laid down their lives for the Macedonian people’s freedom. Sotir was born in 1923 to a poor farming family. After finishing primary school in his native village, eager to learn science, Sotir had a great desire to continue his education at the Lerin High School. But even though he was an excellent student, his family was too poor to fulfill his desires. His father Lazo left home when Sotir was just a child and went to work in distant Australia. Because of this Sotir, from a young age, was forced to work on the farm to provide for the family. 455

Despite the difficult economic conditions at home, Sotir still found time to educate himself. He learned to read and write in the Macedonian language from Macedonian newspapers and other printed material illegally brought to Greek occupied Macedonia by Macedonian partisan units from the Republic of Macedonia. He was later able to read progressive literature with revolutionary content. 456 This progressive literature correctly oriented him and taught him to see the reasons for the national and social exploitation of the Macedonian people. Through it, he came to the realization that the Macedonian people needed to liberate themselves and this could only be done by their own effort. He accepted the idea that only Macedonians would struggle for Macedonian interests. Macedonians needed to accept the idea that their freedom and national rights could only be gained by their own endeavour.

During the Second World War, even though he wasn’t a direct participant in the anti-fascist struggle, Sotir Miovski worked tirelessly to help ELAS partisan units by any means possible. He also did everything he could for the units from the Republic of

455 According to the recollections of Kosta Miovski, Sotir’s brother. Kosta was an active participant in the National Liberation War and in DAG. 456 Tome Miovski, Fallen for their Homeland. Skopje, 1968, p. 21. 182 Macedonia when they found themselves in Prespa, from time to time. 457

Thanks to his tireless efforts in the struggle to liberate the Macedonian people, in early 1943 Sotir was appointed a member of OKNE, the youth organization. That same year, Sotir was appointed leader of EPON in his native village. He was later invited to join the CPG, which he did and in that capacity continued to struggle against the occupiers and domestic traitors. 458

At the end of 1943, after SNOF, the Macedonian anti-fascist organization, was created in Lerin Region, Sotir Miovski was put in charge of producing propaganda. As a result he became its ardent propagandist and called on the Macedonian people to struggle for their liberation.

In about mid-1944, Sotir picked up a rifle and joined the struggle to expel the foreign occupiers. Selflessly and heroically he took part in almost every battle that took place in Prespa and the surrounding region.

After the fascist occupiers were driven out, as an experienced activist in the movement, Sotir continued his revolutionary activities. As a leader in the Prespa Region movement, Sotir visited the various Prespa villages and agitated the people to struggle against the new regime in Greece. Because of this, in August 1946, he and some other movement leaders in Prespa Region were arrested by the Greek police and sent to prison. After his release in November 1946, 459 Sotir was again re-arrested and sent to prison in the village P’pli where he experienced horrific torture and harassment by the Greek police and gendarmerie. He was left without food and water for several days. But despite the brutal torture, Sotir and his comrades didn’t betray anyone. They remained true to their Macedonian ideals until the end. They fiercely fought for freedom and equality for all.

457 Ibid: pp. 21-22. 458 According to the recollections of Dimitar Ionovski from the village Orovo, Prespa Region. Dimitar was a participant in the National Liberation War and in DAG. 459 Tome Miovski, Fallen for their Homeland..., p. 22. 183 At the end of 1946, the Third Prespa Detachment was created in Prespa Region and was led by Lefter Olevski from the village Banitsa, Lerin Region. The Prespa Detachment was created to protect the Macedonian population from the terror perpetrated by the Greek terrorist detachments operating in the Macedonian villages in the Prespa Region. Later in May 1947 this detachment, led by Pando Markovski from the village Zhelevo, Lerin Region, grew into a company. 460

On March 25, 1947, after his release from prison, Sotir Miovski and his fellow villagers voluntarily joined DAG. In the beginning Sotir joined Pando Markovski’s company as his courier. At the same time he was also responsible for carrying out agitation and propaganda tasks. 461

Sotir was convinced that the enemy could only be destroyed with a rifle in hand. So, from the first days of joining DAG he bravely and heroically fought against the enemy units on Mounts Gramos, Vicho, Lk, Lerin and other places.

Appreciating his courage and determination in the struggle for liberation, DAG General Staff sent Sotir to the officer’s school on Mount Gramos. Upon successfully completing the course, Sotir was kept there and given a job to teach.

Sotir Miovski wasn’t only a good soldier but also a prominent political worker. He actively participated in NOF, NOMS and AFZH. He was also a delegate in NOF and other Congresses. 462 In general Sotir was an exemplary fighter and political leader.

In recognition of his fighting abilities and courage, on January 23, 1949, DAG General Staff promoted Sotir Miovski to the rank of 2nd

460 According to the recollections of Pando Markovski from the village Zhelevo, Lerin Region. Pando was a participant in the National Liberation War and a deputy commander of a battalion in the First Aegean Strike Brigade. While serving in DAG Pando was company commander in the DAG 107th Brigade. 461 Iroes ke martires (Heroes and Martyrs). “Nea Elada” (New Greece) Edition, 1954, p. 172. Also according to the recollections of Pando Markovski... 462 According to the recollections of German Nelkovski from the village Orovo, Prespa Region. German was a participant in DAG. 184 lieutenant. Then on July 29, 1949, he was promoted to the rank of 1st lieutenant. 463

In early August 1949, while Sotir was part of the 670th unit of the DAG Officer’s School, he and his students were ordered to defend Lisets to allow DAG units to retreat. After taking their positions Sotir’s students were attacked from all sides by a large number of enemy troops. A bloody and uneven battle ensued. Realizing that the enemy was increasingly tightening the noose around his position, Sotir launched the last attack in the name of freedom. In that difficult struggle, on August 11, 1949, he laid down his life for the freedom of his people. 464

Posthumously, DAG General Staff promoted Sotir Miovski to the rank of Major and declared him an honourary hero.

463 Iroes ke martires..., p. 172. Also see “For the holy national freedom”..., p. 160. 464 Tome Miovski, Fallen for the Homeland..., p. 23. Also see “For the holy national freedom”..., p. 160 and Iroes ke martires..., p. 172. 185 GERMANIA (GERA) PAIKOVA (1931-1949)

Germania Paikova was one of the youngest Macedonian women DAG fighters to give her life at an early age in the fight for the Macedonian people’s freedom. Germania was born to a large agricultural family in 1931, in the village German in Prespa, Lerin Region. From an early age, during the Ioannis Metaxas dictatorship, she worked in the family blacksmith workshop belonging to her father Stoian and uncle Metodia Paikovski. Germania, like her sisters and brother Todor, grew up in conditions where she couldn’t even finish primary school.

After the German-Italian and Bulgarian fascist occupation, young Gera (as her relatives aptly called her) continued to work in the family blacksmith workshop. 465

In the spring of 1943, individuals and groups of anti-fascists began to appear in the Paikov family blacksmith workshop to have their weapons repaired. Even though she was still a young girl, Gera showed remarkable abilities in carrying out these difficult and complex tasks. Her uncle Metodia Paikovski was very impressed with her abilities and the quality of work she was turning out. This is what he wrote in his memoirs:

“...One day at the end of 1943, a Yugoslav partisan came to our workshop and asked us to repair his machine gun. I was sick that day and unable to work. Our little Gera took the partisan’s machine gun in her small hands and with my help repaired it. The Yugoslav partisan left satisfied...” 466