The Skourvoula executions (Greek: εκτελέσεις στα Σκούρβουλα) refer to the mass execution by firing squad of 36 civilians of which 22 women, at the village of Skourvoula in Crete, Greece by German Wehrmacht forces on 14 August 1944 during World War II.[1][2]
The village of Skourvoula (Greek: Σκούρβουλα) is located at an altitude of 350 metres (1,150 ft), 60 kilometres (37 mi) southwest of Heraklion. It is built on the southern slopes of Mt Psiloritis, overlooking the Messara Plain. During the Axis occupation of Crete, the entire region of Psiloritis sheltered local resistance fighters and British SOE agents. To intimidate the civilian population, General Friedrich-Wilhelm Müller who was commanding the German garrison on Crete during the summer of 1944, had issued orders for retaliatory measures against the population of "hostile" villages.[3]
The executionsedit
On 12 August 1944, two German soldiers stationed at Tympaki arrived at Skourvoula, tasked with the collection of eggs for the provision of the occupation troops. On their way back, they were ambushed by partisans who shot and killed them. In fear of German reprisals, the male inhabitants of Skourvoula decided to flee to the mountain. On the following day, carrying out Müller's orders, a German company marched into Skourvoula and arrested all villagers. After interrogations and brief imprisonment, they were released and allowed to return to their homes.
On 14 August 1944, German forces returned and rounded up the inhabitants. A total of 36 locals, mostly from Skourvoula but also from the neighboring villages Magarikari, Kamares and Petrokefalo were shot at a site near the southwest edge of the village in front of the eyes of their relatives.[1] Certain sources report 12 additional victims of impromptu shootings in the vicinity of the village.[4]
Aftermathedit
No reparations were ever paid to the families of the victims. Müller was found guilty of ordering atrocities against civilians in Crete and was executed by firing squad on 20 May 1947.[citation needed]
A monument in remembrance of the victims has been erected at the place of their execution.[citation needed]
^ abStephan D. Yada-Mc Neal Schlachthaus Griechenland: Deutsche, bulgarische und italienische Kriegsverbrechen in Griechenland 1941 - 1945, BoD – Books on Demand, 2020.
^Γεώργιος Πατεράκης O Ψηλορείτης φλέγεται, καίγονται και τα Σκούρβουλα, e-mesara, 14 Αυγούστου 2021 ; archived here
^Marlen von Xylander Die deutsche Besatzungsherrschaft auf Kreta 1941–1945, Rombach, Freiburg, 1989, p.125.
^Καζαντζάκης, Ν., Καλιτσουνάκης, Ι. και Κακριδής, Ι.Θ. Έκθεσις της Κεντρικής Επιτροπής Διαπιστώσεως Ωμοτήτων εν Κρήτη. Σύνταξις 29/6 - 6/8/1945. Έκδοση Δήμου Ηρακλείου, 1983, p. 68.
External linksedit
German occupation of Crete: Skourvoula (in German -- translate)
skourvoula, executions, greek, εκτελέσεις, στα, Σκούρβουλα, refer, mass, execution, firing, squad, civilians, which, women, village, skourvoula, crete, greece, german, wehrmacht, forces, august, 1944, during, world, contents, background, executions, aftermath,. The Skourvoula executions Greek ekteleseis sta Skoyrboyla refer to the mass execution by firing squad of 36 civilians of which 22 women at the village of Skourvoula in Crete Greece by German Wehrmacht forces on 14 August 1944 during World War II 1 2 Contents 1 Background 2 The executions 3 Aftermath 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksBackground editThe village of Skourvoula Greek Skoyrboyla is located at an altitude of 350 metres 1 150 ft 60 kilometres 37 mi southwest of Heraklion It is built on the southern slopes of Mt Psiloritis overlooking the Messara Plain During the Axis occupation of Crete the entire region of Psiloritis sheltered local resistance fighters and British SOE agents To intimidate the civilian population General Friedrich Wilhelm Muller who was commanding the German garrison on Crete during the summer of 1944 had issued orders for retaliatory measures against the population of hostile villages 3 The executions editOn 12 August 1944 two German soldiers stationed at Tympaki arrived at Skourvoula tasked with the collection of eggs for the provision of the occupation troops On their way back they were ambushed by partisans who shot and killed them In fear of German reprisals the male inhabitants of Skourvoula decided to flee to the mountain On the following day carrying out Muller s orders a German company marched into Skourvoula and arrested all villagers After interrogations and brief imprisonment they were released and allowed to return to their homes On 14 August 1944 German forces returned and rounded up the inhabitants A total of 36 locals mostly from Skourvoula but also from the neighboring villages Magarikari Kamares and Petrokefalo were shot at a site near the southwest edge of the village in front of the eyes of their relatives 1 Certain sources report 12 additional victims of impromptu shootings in the vicinity of the village 4 Aftermath editNo reparations were ever paid to the families of the victims Muller was found guilty of ordering atrocities against civilians in Crete and was executed by firing squad on 20 May 1947 citation needed A monument in remembrance of the victims has been erected at the place of their execution citation needed See also editRazing of Anogeia Holocaust of Kedros Malathyros executions Viannos massacresReferences edit a b Stephan D Yada Mc Neal Schlachthaus Griechenland Deutsche bulgarische und italienische Kriegsverbrechen in Griechenland 1941 1945 BoD Books on Demand 2020 Gewrgios Paterakhs O PShloreiths flegetai kaigontai kai ta Skoyrboyla e mesara 14 Aygoystoy 2021 archived here Marlen von Xylander Die deutsche Besatzungsherrschaft auf Kreta 1941 1945 Rombach Freiburg 1989 p 125 Kazantzakhs N Kalitsoynakhs I kai Kakridhs I 8 Ek8esis ths Kentrikhs Epitrophs Diapistwsews Wmothtwn en Krhth Synta3is 29 6 6 8 1945 Ekdosh Dhmoy Hrakleioy 1983 p 68 External links editGerman occupation of Crete Skourvoula in German translate 35 06 14 N 24 50 26 E 35 1039 N 24 8406 E 35 1039 24 8406 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Skourvoula executions amp oldid 1174449787, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
