"Letters from the Front: The Greek Army in Modern History Through Soldiers' Writings (1821–1949)"

Abstract

This study explores the lived experiences of Greek soldiers through their personal writings - letters, diaries, and memoirs - spanning from the Greek War of Independence (1821–1830) to the Greek Civil War (1946–1949). While military history has traditionally emphasized strategy, leadership, and battlefield outcomes, this research shifts the focus to the voices of ordinary soldiers, revealing their perceptions of war, hardship, identity, and duty. By analyzing unpublished and lesser-known sources, the study examines how soldiers expressed their emotions, fears, and political beliefs, as well as how their writings were shaped by censorship, self-censorship, and literacy constraints.

The manuscript is structured chronologically, tracing the evolution of soldier narratives across major conflicts, including the Balkan Wars, World War I, the Asia Minor Campaign, World War II, and the Civil War. It highlights key themes such as morale, nationalism, trauma, and the interplay between personal and collective memory. Additionally, it investigates the role of correspondence in maintaining ties with home and the influence of war on written expression. By presenting these texts as historical evidence, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of Modern Greek military history beyond official records and propaganda.

This research not only fills a historiographical gap but also provides an original perspective on the Greek Army by amplifying the voices of those who fought and endured.

Keywords: Greek Army, Soldier Narratives, Military History, War Letters, Personal Testimonies,  Modern Greek History