Has United Kingdom ever fought a war against Greece?

Question

What happened? If they did

Answer 1

Against the people and government of Greece, no, I don't believe so. The closest would have been our fight against the Eoka terrorists in Cyprus.

The organisation was headed by George Grivas, a Cyprus born Colonel in the Greek army, who distinguished himself during World War II and the subsequent Hellenic Civil War. Grivas assumed the nom de guerre Digenis in honour of the Byzantine legend Digenis Akritas, who repelled invaders from the Byzantine Empire during the middle ages. The EOKA was clandestinely supported by the Greek Government in the form of arms, money and propaganda on radio stations broadcast from Athens. Its military campaign began on April 1, 1955 and while its main target was the British military, the EOKA also targeted civilian installations on the island as well as assassinating pro-British Cypriots, informants, Progressive Party of Working People (a communist organisation), Taksim (Turkish Cypriot supporters of partition), and members of the Turkish Cypriot insurgent organisation, the Turkish Resistance Organization.

Over the period 30,000 British troops were assigned to combat the organisation. The deployed forces varied with the other demands of the Suez crisis and the Mau-Mau uprising and troops were used to protect civilians as well as actively hunt EOKA personnel.

The period officially claimed the life of 104 British military personnel. A number were killed by a forest fire in the Troodos during Operation Lucky Alphonse. In addition, the conflict also claimed the lives of 90 insurgents, 50 policemen and 238 civilians.

On the 16 June 1956, the bombing of a restaurant by EOKA led to the unintentional death of William P. Boteler, a CIA case officer working under State Department cover.

In October 1956 an EOKA leader Pilots Christofi was captured during Operation Sparrowhawk. The following year Gregoris Afxentiou was killed. Lucky Alphonse cleared EOKA from the mountainous regions and forced Grivas into hiding.

EOKA's activity continued until December 1958 when a cease-fire was declared which paved the way for the Zurich agreement on the future of the country.

The EOKA aim to rid Cyprus of British rule was partially met when on 16 August 1960 Cyprus achieved independence from the United Kingdom with the exception of two "Sovereign Base Areas" (SBA) at Dhekelia and Akrotiri. The settlement explicitly denied enosis - the union with Greece sought by EOKA. Although Cyprus gained its independence, it came with a complex constitution and the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee - a security arrangement compromising of a three-way guaranteeship from Turkey, Greece and Britain that neither would annex the independent republic. (see History of Cyprus).

After independence EOKA fighters formed regional associations such as ΣΑΠΕΛ (Σύνδεσμος Αγωνιστών Πόλεως και Επαρχίας Λεμεσού; Union of Fighters of Limassol and district) that have been participating in commemorations, museum collections etc. In the 90's a dedicated old people's home for ex EOKA fighters was constructed in the village of Palodhia, near Limassol.

Answer 2

First of all there is the capture of Constantinople in 1204 by the crusaders but I am not sure if someone can consider this as an act of England against Greece. The UK has never officially been to war wit Greece but there is a series of hostilities against Greece. For example after the liberation of Greece in WWII the royal Navy bombed the city of Athens and the port of Piraeus. Also during the fight for the liberation of Crete back in the beginning of the century the UK Navy bombed the Cretan rebels because they would not stop fighting against the Ottoman Empire. As far as a previous answerer is concerned the EOKA fighters were not terrorists but rebels and their only goal was to liberate Cyprus from the English oppression. He is probably mixed with EOKA B' which was a different story. In general UK-Greece relationships were good and there wa never a war between them

Answer 3

No - although we came perilously close to it in the First World War when King Constantine (despite his protests) seemed to be pro-German. It was only when Venizelos returned to office after the king's abdication in June 1917, that Greece joined the fight against the Central Powers of Germany and Austria. (See Link 1)

In the Second World War, the Greeks were on the same side as the Allies, however the British naval blockade of occupied Greece led to widespread starvation in the country. Britain was unwilling to lift the blockade as it was the only method they had of getting at the occupying forces, but it was eventually persuaded to do so. Greek armed forces fought with the Allies in North Africa and the Greek resistance was very strong in attacking the Italian and German occupiers. (See Link 2)

British troops saw action in several places in Greece in WWII, particularly interesting to me is the action on the island of Leros (this is the next island south of Lipsi............and I am The Lipsiot ! (See Link 3)

Answer 4

initially it replaced into Germany against France and the British empire. At that factor there replaced into each reason to believe that a minimum of Germany ought to combat the allies to a stalemate extremely provided that the %. with the Soviets ensured Hitler's eastern borders have been guard.

Answer 5

nope!
in crusade wars they fought in Greece but not against them!

Answer 6

no, I don't think so. We may have fought in Greece, in the crusades? but not against them

Answer 7

You got me,im not sure.

Answer 8

uk won

Answer 9

i think , never