Alexandros Kontoulis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alexandros Kontoulis
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Kontoulis c. 1920s
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| Native name |
Αλέξανδρος Κοντούλης
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| Nickname(s) | Kapetan Skourtis (Καπετάν Σκούρτης) |
| Born | 10 January [O.S. 29 December 1858] 1859 Eleusis, Kingdom of Greece |
| Died | 22 August 1933 (aged 74) Athens, Second Hellenic Republic |
| Allegiance | Kingdom of Greece |
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Hellenic Army |
| Years of service |
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| Rank | Lieutenant general |
| Unit | Army of Epirus |
| Commands held | I Army Corps |
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Alexandros Kontoulis (Αλέξανδρος Κοντούλης, 1859–1933) was a brave Greek army officer. He became a lieutenant general in the Hellenic Army. He was a key leader in the Macedonian Struggle. This was a fight to free Greek lands from the Ottoman Empire. He was also involved in the Albanian independence movement. He used the secret name Kapetan Skourtis (Καπετάν Σκούρτης).
Kontoulis fought well in many wars. These included the Greco-Turkish War of 1897 and the First Balkan War. He was badly hurt in the Balkan War. Later, he led the First Army Corps during the Greco-Turkish War of 1919–1922. After he retired, he served as an ambassador to Albania.
Contents
Alexandros Kontoulis: Early Life and Military Career
Alexandros Kontoulis was born in Eleusis, Greece. His birthday was on January 10, 1859. His family were Arvanites, an ethnic group in Greece. They had lived in the Elefsina area for a long time.
Joining the Army
When he was 20, Kontoulis joined a volunteer uprising. This was in 1878 in Epirus against the Ottoman Empire. He and other Greek volunteers were caught. They were sentenced to death by the Ottomans. But the British government helped them, and they were pardoned.
After being freed, he joined the Hellenic Army on July 17, 1880. He went to the NCO School in 1883. He became a 2nd Lieutenant of Infantry in 1885. In 1886, he fought in small battles between Greek and Ottoman troops. These fights were near Thessaly.
Important Missions and Bravery
After that, he joined an Austrian team. This team helped Greece create its own geographical service. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1895.
During the Greco-Turkish War of 1897, Kontoulis showed great courage. This was at the Battle of Velestino. His commander, Colonel Konstantinos Smolenskis, praised him. He asked for Kontoulis to be promoted. He also wanted him to receive the Order of the Redeemer for his bravery.
Macedonian Struggle and Albanian Connections
Kontoulis became a Captain in 1899. He joined a secret group called the Ethniki Etaireia. This group aimed to promote Greek nationalism. After this group ended, he led the Panhellenic Shooting Society for ten years. This society continued similar nationalistic activities.
Interest in Albania
Because he was an Arvanite, Kontoulis was interested in Albanian nationalism. He wanted Albania to become independent. He talked with the Albanian leader Ismail Qemali.
The Macedonian Question
From 1903, Kontoulis focused on the Macedonian Question. This was about the future of Macedonia, which was under Ottoman rule. He worked with Pavlos Melas and Ion Dragoumis. He supported sending armed groups to Macedonia. These groups would fight against pro-Bulgarian groups.
Kontoulis also helped children of pro-Greek fighters in Macedonia. He became a foster father to them. He even wrote a book about one of their fathers, Konstantinos Christou. In March 1904, Kontoulis was one of four officers sent by the Greek government. He used his secret name, Kapetan Skourtis. Their mission was to prepare for the "Macedonian Struggle". This was a fight by Greek armed groups against Bulgarian rivals.
After returning to Greece, he was promoted to Major in 1908. He became a Lt. Colonel in 1911. During this time, he continued to work with Ismail Qemali. He helped Qemali talk with the Greek government. In 1911, an Albanian rebellion started. Kontoulis, using his old name Skourtis, went to Scodra and Cetinje. He urged Christians there to leave the Ottoman army. He wanted them to demand rights from the Ottoman government. Qemali also agreed to a plan by Kontoulis for an "Eastern Federation." This would unite nations in the Ottoman Balkans.
Balkan Wars and Asia Minor Campaigns
During the Balkan Wars, Kontoulis led a special unit of Evzone soldiers. This unit was part of the Army of Epirus. He showed great bravery in a fierce battle for the Aetorrachi heights. He kept fighting even after being wounded.
However, during an attack on the Bizani fortress in December 1912, he was badly wounded. He had to go to the hospital. After he recovered, he became the military governor of Korytsa. He was promoted to full Colonel in May 1913.
World War I and Later Service
During World War I and the National Schism, Kontoulis stayed loyal to King Constantine I. He fought against the French in the Noemvriana events. He was promoted to Major General in May 1917.
After King Constantine was removed in 1917, Kontoulis was sidelined. He returned to active service only after the king's supporters won the election in November 1920.
At that time, Greece was fighting in the Greco-Turkish War of 1919–1922. This was against Kemal Atatürk's Turkish nationalist movement. In early 1921, Kontoulis took command of the First Army Corps. During an attack in March 1921, he broke through Turkish lines. He captured Afyonkarahisar. But another Greek army corps had to retreat. This forced Kontoulis to pull back. He then fought off Turkish attacks from March 26–29.
Kontoulis led the First Corps successfully again in the Greek summer attack. This included a march through a salt desert. He also led them in the important Battle of the Sakarya. After this battle, the Greeks had to retreat. He became a Lt. General in October 1921. In May 1922, he was replaced as commander. He returned to Greece and retired in April 1923.
Retirement and Ambassador Role
Unlike many other officers, Kontoulis stayed out of politics. This was after the Greek army's defeat in August 1922. After he retired, he was offered a job as ambassador to Albania. He first said no, but then accepted in 1925. He served until 1926.
During his retirement, he lived in Piraeus. He collected many personal documents. He also led the team that published the Great Military and Naval Encyclopedia in 1929–1930. Alexandros Kontoulis passed away on August 22, 1933.
Sources
- Sokos, Georgios I. (1929). . Athens: Ἔκδοσις Μεγάλης Στρατιωτικῆς καὶ Ναυτικῆς Ἐγκυκλοπαιδείας. 190–191.
