Wilfred Byford-Jones, a British Army officer on the staff of General Ronald Scobie and a journalist, finds himself in Athens and Greece at a very critical crossroads for modern Greek history. He departs from Cairo aboard the warship “Adrias” in early October 1944, later arriving in Poros, and finally reaching Piraeus and Athens on October 14, where the Liberation takes place.
He moves through territory controlled by the E.L.A.S., meeting many figures from the Resistance and the Greek political scene, including Siantos, Damaskinos, Plastiras, and the imprisoned collaborators in Avero's Prison, among others. He recounts dramatic incidents of Resistance and Occupation, describes the overwhelming joy of Liberation, and expresses concerns about what is to come due to the underlying confrontation with E.A.M. and E.L.A.S.
Present in Syntagma Square on the Bloody Sunday of December 3, 1944, he watches and records in shock the outbreak of violence, carrying an injured girl. He participates in the December events, wandering the streets and neighborhoods of Athens, meeting Churchill when he unexpectedly arrives in Athens at Christmas 1944, staying until the Varkiza Agreement, and departing one spring day in 1945 for Egypt, leaving behind a wounded, shocked, and terrified Athens.
Months later, in May 1945, the publishing house Hutchinson releases in Britain his book “The Greek Trilogy: Resistance – Liberation – Revolution,” based on his experiences during his stay in Greece from the days of Liberation to the Varkiza Agreement. This edition is the translation of his work into Greek, accompanied by rich photographic material.
