Ever wondered about the man commemorated by this bust? This is the bust of Kostas Perrikos. It stands as a memorial to a Greek hero.
Kostas Perrikos was no ordinary man. He was a significant figure in the Greek resistance during World War II. This bust honors his bravery and leadership.
Born on April 23, 1905, Kostas Perrikos’s life was marked by service and resistance. He hailed from Kallimasia on the island of Chios. Later, his family moved to Alexandria where he finished high school.
Perrikos returned to Greece and joined the Air Force Academy in 1926. He became a lieutenant. His early career faced a setback. He was dismissed after a failed coup attempt in 1935 due to his Republican beliefs.
When World War II broke out, Perrikos sought to rejoin the fight. His request was approved. He went to the front lines on November 23, 1940.
The Nazi occupation of Greece spurred Perrikos into action. He co-founded the “Army of Enslaved Victors” in June 1941. Dissatisfied with their neutrality, he formed a new group. This was the Panhellenic Union of Fighting Youths, or PEAN.
PEAN was a leftist organization. It fiercely opposed the return of the monarchy. The group advocated for active resistance against the occupiers.
PEAN’s most daring act was the bombing of the ESPO headquarters on September 20, 1942. ESPO was the largest Nazi organization in Greece. It sought to recruit Greeks for a “Greek Legion” to fight alongside the Germans.
The ESPO headquarters was located at the corner of Gladstonos and Patission streets. This location also housed the German Secret Field Police. Perrikos and others prepared a 12 kg dynamite bomb. They successfully planted it beneath ESPO’s offices.
The explosion wounded many ESPO members and German personnel. Allied radio stations praised the attack. It marked the end of ESPO’s recruitment efforts. Other resistance groups were skeptical.
Tragedy struck when Perrikos and his partners were betrayed. They were arrested on November 11, 1942. Perrikos faced a court martial. He received three death sentences and 15 years in prison. He was executed by firing squad on February 4, 1943, in Kaisariani.
After his death, Perrikos was posthumously promoted to Wing Commander. This bust was unveiled on September 2, 1987. It stands near the site of the ESPO building on Gladstonos Street.
This bust of Kostas Perrikos serves as a powerful reminder. It commemorates a patriot who stood against tyranny. His actions resonate even today.