Papagos, Alexander (1883-1955)

Greek soldier and politician. He served in the Balkan Wars, World War I, and the Graeco-Turkish War. From 1936-40 he was chief of the army general staff. He conducted Greek military operations from 1940-41. From 1943-45 he was a prisoner in Germany. In 1949 he was recalled from retirement to crush the communist rebellion, and, on his success, was promoted to field marshal. In 1951 Papagos entered Greek politics as leader of a new Greek Rally party. He appealed to all loyal Greeks, regardless of party, to support him in his efforts ‘to save the country’; his party was returned as the most powerful single party in November 1951 and in November 1952 gained a sweeping majority. His administration was authoritarian, though resting on undoubted popular support, and succeeded in restoring a considerable measure of economic stability to Greece. Papagos was born in Athens, Greece.