This year, Asimakis Polypathellis will not wear his favorite uniform, to lay a wreath at the mountainous Asomatos of Lesvos, in memory of his fellow soldiers
This year, he won’t put on his favorite camouflage uniform to lay a wreath for the hero of his village in her mountainous Asomatos Lesvosin memory of his comrades in arms on the fronts of North Africa and after the liberation of the Aegean islands. A few days before the anniversary of “NO” of the Greeks, the 99-year-old Asimakis Polypathellis he passed away peacefully, at home reading “without glasses” whatever was in front of him.
And his village, Asoma with a few dozen inhabitants, was deprived of his testimonies, his memories that he unfolded in the coffee shop at every opportunity. Mr. Asimakis, the hero next door. The last hero of Lesvos.
“My career” he said “I started it as a joke”. He was not even 17 years old when, while swimming in the Seaweed Hole in Mytilini, playing with his friend Tasos Manakas, he “tumbled” into a German boat with weapons. The Germans didn’t understand much, however… He went to the shore, hid naked in the surrounding trees, his priest father beat him and then… Then his escape to the opposite coast was organized. The punishment that awaited him in the event of his arrest for this teenage “havale” was death by execution a few meters away. At the place of execution of the patriots who were arrested in Mytilini, in Tsamakia.
His course, the course of the fighters of those days. First in the camp of Pergamum where the military of all ranks gathered but also those who wanted to fight and who were crossing into Asia Minor from the Evros and the islands. And then to Smyrna and then to Aleppo. There he enlisted in the Greek Army fighting in North Africa. The liberating missions to the Aegean islands followed.
And then the Civil War adventure. “I didn’t like the Communists, but I disliked… the Gestapo” he used to say.
He lost his chance to become a teacher because of his marriage. He also lost the opportunity to study at the Ewelpidon School, he did not understand the possibilities of professional development in the Army due to his participation in the war fronts. “You’re not bored,” concluded an employee in Athens. But when he retired he returned to Asomatos. “The most beautiful place in the world” he said.
Until a few days ago. Where he went to find his companions and talk. Heroes must have their own heaven up there…
Source: Skai
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