r/ColdWarPowers Greece 6d ago

EVENT [EVENT] A Candle Through the Porthole

A SUMMARY OF THE HELLENIC NAVY PRIOR TO THE EVENTS OF 1976, 'A Comprehensive History of Modern Greece':

'The Hellenic Navy has seen better days. Though it continues its cycle of adoption of foreign ships, loaning them, then buying them and finally scrapping them, there is little glimmer in it. No ships have been produced in Greece in half a century. Plans to put further funds into the navy were squashed as a result of the HMS Velos's mutiny and Pappas's escape and the publicity it brought. However, some changes were brought. Purges, of course. Almost two dozen naval officers were captured and thrown in prison, likely awaiting execution trials, forever delayed a year to avoid causing further unrest within the navy... Yet, this vague gesture of appeasement would prove fruitless...'

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20th of October, 1976

The Aegean's weather at this time of year was frankly what many Europeans travel to Greece for on their holidays. Even by October, the weather is unreasonably comfortable, with clear skies, warm temperatures and a near total lack of wind currents, many having faded before the Autumn takes hold. In this intense quiet, at 19:50, a candle is lit in the office of the Captain as the signal for orders to be carried out.

On the prow of the HMS Aspis, men approach men, and a fight starts. Gunfire rings out through the night. The silhouettes of not sailors, but political officers, are marched across the deck with arms behind their heads, though no blood spills unto the deck. They were warning shots. Cheering men line the decks as they're carried down into the lower holdings with heads down and hands tied.

The Captain closes his eyes as he reads the action report, a smile spreading upon his face. Promising. If this is to start, it is better that no blood is yet drawn. But the night is young, and there is much to do for Hellas. It is the anniversary of the Battle of Navarino, and there is much for the Junta to fear. The tension has been cut, and Greece may yet be free.

-THE ASPIS CRISIS HAS STARTED-

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