EAM-ELAS

The largest Greek resistance movement in World War II. It was under communist control. Formed in September 1941; its military wing, Ethnikos Laikos Apeleftherotikos Stratos (ELAS), was founded in December 1942. EAM-ELAS fought rival non-communist resistance as well as Italians and Germans. By German withdrawal in 1944 EAM controlled two-thirds of the country. Attempts to form a united front with the Greek government-in-exile failed, and the British suppressed an ELAS coup in Athens in December 1944. ELAS officially surrendered in February 1945 to the Greek government, but EAM-ELAS leaders continued fighting for the communist cause during the Greek Civil War 1946-49.