Alexandros Papagos

Alexandros Papagos (9, December 1883– October 4, 1955) is a Greek Army officer who leads the Hellenic Army in the Second World War and the later stages of the Greek Civil War.

The only Greek career officer to be raised to the rank of Field Marshal, he becomes the first Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff from 1950 until his resignation in 1951.

He next enters politics, founding the Greek Rally party and becoming the country's Prime Minister after his victory in the 1952 elections.

His premiership is defined by several events.

The Cold War, and the aftermath of the Greek Civil War; Greece becoming a member of NATO; American military bases are allowed on Greek territory; a powerful and vehemently anti-communist security apparatus is created; and the communist leader Nikos Ploumpidis is executed by firing squad.

His tenure also sees the start of the Greek economic miracle, and rising tensions with Britain and Turkey over the Cyprus issue.

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