“The savior of Thessaloniki” is the title of an article in the Süddeutsche Zeitung about Georg Eckert, who “in post-war Germany was a highly respected scientist, educator and historian, and was also President of the German Commission for UNESCO.” During World War II he was 28 years old serving in Thessaloniki, “the Jerusalem of the Balkans, as it was called then”.

The young ethnologist is fascinated by Greece and its people, until he thinks of moving there after the war. Christiane Schletzer writes in her article: “This is due to personal meetings and deep friendships with Greeks, which the young German soon cultivates more and more intensively. These friends introduced him to everyday life in Greece. He experiences how the Greeks are starving, he learns about their fears. The friends finally brought him in contact with the left Greek resistance, with the ELAS guerrilla army. Eckert then makes a decision as serious as it is courageous. Shortly before the Wehrmacht left, together with a small group of trusted Germans, they joined the left-wing ELAS resistance movement. Identity card issued by ELAS with a photo, dated November 18, 1944 “.

On the side of the Greeks

And a little later the article notes: “Eckert also has a special role, which is highlighted by Metzing’s biographer. He uses his influence, which he apparently still has as a Wehrmacht official with the rank of major in the circle of senior German officers – in consultation with the Greek resistance movement – to prevent further destruction of Thessaloniki by the retreating occupiers. In return, ELAS would refrain from attacks against the defeated German troops. This was later reported by Greek sources. However, the evacuation is not complete without explosives, an oil depot is burning, ships are sinking… Vital infrastructure such as the power plant, water supply projects and a significant port dock are saved,” as a result of Eckert’s negotiations with ELAS” according to researcher Metzing.

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