“Union of Korça with Greece would be presented to Europe…” / The unknown side of the Greek massacres in 1914

In the morning of 5 December 1912, according to the Gregorian calendar, or 18 December according to the Ottoman calendar, a frightening news spread: Greek armies had entered Devoll and were heading toward Korça. They were burning, killing, and destroying everything in their path. The Greek divisions were led by a colonel named Dhamiano. The Muslims of the villages of Devoll were seized by panic. All terror was about to fall upon them. They decided to leave their homes and head toward Korça, thinking they might be safer there. Nothing was certain, but they had no other choice. They waited for nightfall. The accounts of that night, into the dawn of 6/19 December, are among the most horrifying. Those who set out were many. They could take nothing with them.

The Albanian gendarmerie was being organized, but the “holy battalions” of the Metropolis were not being disbanded. The bishop kept asking for more time. He and his people had a dark plan to carry out. The Greek army had pretended to withdraw from Korça, but not all had left. Many soldiers and officers hid in the Metropolis, others were placed in ravines, and some found shelter in the Greek hospital of Korça.

Two doctors, a pharmacist, the caretaker named Papadhaqis, and 30 medical assistants remained there, claiming that many Greek soldiers and officers were seriously wounded and could not abandon their patients. The director of the Telegraph office in Korça, Qirjako Dhiamandidhi, also did not leave. He was the one who was supposed to signal the beginning of the bloodshed prepared by Bishop Germanos.

The soldiers of the “holy battalions” were armed and ready. The bishop of Korça took as his personal guard Gjergj Sulo (often called Jorgji Sulo), from Orman Çiflig, on 14/27 February. Sulo had been an insurgent and was known as a fierce fighter. In her book “The Burden of the Balkans,” Edith Durham provides information that, by order of the Great Powers, the regular Greek army was forced to evacuate the occupied regions.

It left Korça but left behind a so-called “hospital for the wounded who could not move,” which was connected by telephone to the Greek border. A large part of the army remained in various positions, away from populated centers, changing or disguising uniforms so that the Greek government could deny they were soldiers.

In the offices of the Albanian government in Korça, secret information began to arrive. The Metropolis was preparing an uprising. The government then sent 1,500 armed men to Morava to monitor the Korça region. The telegraph operator Qirjako Dhiamandidhi was also ordered to leave and went toward Bilisht.

Again, the disbanding of the “holy battalions” and surrender of weapons was demanded. But the bishop once again asked for a few more days. How could he surrender the weapons so suddenly when the uprising was about to begin? The Metropolis accelerated the plan.

Bishop Germanos called Captain Gjergj Sulo to his office, made him swear secrecy, and told him: “Captain Sulo! The homeland is being lost, Orthodoxy is being destroyed, faith is being mocked, and Korça is now in the hands of the Albanians.” Sulo swore he would raise everyone against the Albanian government.

“Rise, my dear and blessed Sulo,” the bishop said, “do not stay idle, raise the people against this government that will destroy Orthodoxy.” Two more men arrived at the Metropolis: Dhimitër Kallfa and Lluka Petro from Bellovodë. The first was tasked with raising the villages of the plain, the second those of the Qarri region.

Petro Mangaleci would train the soldiers of the “holy battalions,” assisted by Kallfa. Sulo’s men would cut the Korça–Pogradec telephone line, while Petro’s men would cut the Korça–Kolonjë line. Jorgji Busho would bring around 1,000 armed insurgents from Bilisht. It was planned that the government of Korça would fall within minutes. The flag of “Vorio-Epirus” would be raised over the Metropolis, and the union of Korça with Greece would be presented to Europe as a fait accompli.

Soon after, the telegraph operator returned with a message stating that on 19/1 April, at dawn on 20/2 April, insurgents from Bilisht would attack to capture Korça. The uprising would begin only upon the final order.

On 20 April 1914, at 04:00 in the morning, Jorgji Sulo left a group of men guarding near the Orthodox cemetery at the entrance of Korça, then moved toward the church of Shëndëllia. He realized that government guards had not noticed anything. They remained silent in their posts, unaware of what was happening.

Sulo ordered a few men to ring the bells. It was the signal for the uprising. Moments later, he attacked the government guards. The bells rang, and the “holy battalions” prepared to join him. Armed groups took positions across the city.

Everything had been carefully planned. Armed men were to attack the homes of those opposed to Greece. Muslims and some Vlach families were targeted. They were to be executed. Even women and children were not spared. Terror had taken over Korça.

Sulo then rushed toward the gendarmerie building, where Dutch officers were stationed. Fighting broke out. Despite being wounded, Sulo continued advancing, shooting until he was hit and collapsed in blood.

As he fell, the forces defending the city regrouped. Dutch officers, Albanian leaders, and local volunteers organized resistance and took control of the situation. Reports described atrocities committed in villages, increasing support for the defense of Korça.

Eventually, Korça became divided between opposing armed groups, and clashes intensified. Efforts were made to stop the bloodshed and negotiate a ceasefire, but the bishop refused. Meanwhile, more people arrived to defend the city, and tensions escalated further, bringing Korça to the brink of internal conflict.

“KORÇA BOOM”