Dionysios Papadongonas

Dionysios Papadongonas was a Greek military officer who played a significant role during World War II. Born in 1907, he joined the Greek Army and later served as an adjutant to General Ioannis Metaxas, a key figure in resisting Italian demands in 1940. During the Axis invasion of Greece, Papadongonas was captured by German forces but escaped and returned to active service.

In 1942, he joined the collaborationist regime under General George Tsolakoglou, working as a liaison officer between the Greek government and the occupying German authorities. This role involved facilitating cooperation on issues like military affairs and the economy. He later became commander of the "Security Battalions," which were responsible for suppressing resistance movements in occupied Greece.

Papadongonas's collaboration with the Axis powers was controversial, as it aligned him with an administration seen as traitorous by many Greeks. His actions during the occupation contributed to a divided national memory, with some viewing him as a collaborator and others as a pragmatic leader navigating difficult circumstances.

After the war, he faced charges for his role in the collaborationist regime but died before his trial could conclude. Papadongonas's legacy remains a sensitive topic in Greek history, reflecting the complexities of resistance and cooperation during wartime.