The most well known Hellene(Greek) heroes in Macedonian Struggle was ''Pavlos Melas''.
He was born in Marseille, on March 29 in 1870 as his father Michael Melas(1833-1897) was a merchant there.
In 1886 he entered the Hellenic Military Academy and graduated second lieutenant of Artillery, in August 8 in 1891.
The next year he married Natalia Dragoumi(1872-1973), daughter of the banker and politician Stefanos Dragoumis . They got 2 children. The military Michael Melas(1894-1950) and the Chemist Zoi Mela(1898-1996).
he was an active member of the ''National Company'', an organization that had as a goal the exaltation of the National Morale and the liberation of the enslaved Hellenes at ANY COST !
In the Hellenic-Turkish war he fights as a commander in Thessaly's front, until the defeat of 1897.
The first years of 20th century he is concerned about the situation in Turkish-occupied Macedonia and the violent actions from the Bulgarians against the Hellenic population.
In February of 1904, with 3 more Hellenic Army officers , Alexandros Kontoulis, Anastasios Papoulas and Georgios Kolokotronis he is sent too Macedonia in a secret mission with the nickname ''Mikis Zezas''(he liked to call his son Miki and his daughter Zeza).
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After more than a month of action they are called back in March 29, after Turkish demand.
On July he asks for a 20 days off duty. He decides to return to Macedonia with a fake passport as an animal trader with the name ''Petros Dedes''. He meets other Hellenes in Kozani and he organizes armed groups for the Macedonian Struggle. He returns to Athens on August 3, full of optimism .
15 days later he asks for a 4 months off duty permission in order to take the leadership of the struggle officially.
On August 28 with many Macedonian, Cretans and Lakonian companions they reach the occupied Macedonian regions and on September he sets a camp in Kastoria.
Pavlos Melas and his group ,August 26 of 1904.
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The End..
On October 13, he enters the village Statista to rest with his group. The Bulgarian Meter Vlahos , a very active and violent chieftain , betrays ''Mikis Zezas'' position to the Turkish Authorities who immediately sent 150 soldiers . In the battle followed , ''Mikis'' took a bullet in the lumbar and after half an hour he died.
The place he died is now a museum with his name
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His companions cut off his head and buried it in the church of Ag. Paraskevi in Pisoderi. His body was given to bishop Karavaggelis (after his demand) and was buried in Kastoria in the church of ''Taxiarches''. In the same church was buried his wife when she died , on her demand.
The affect..
His death was known in Athens on 18 of October and shocked the public knowledge because of the intact and pure character of the man.
His death in newspaper of the time
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His sacrifice signaled the substantial start of the Macedonian Struggle, culminating in the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913, as many volunteers joined the struggle for the freedom of Macedonia.
HONOR TO HEROES-YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED !
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Nice piece of history .
hi there. Thanks a lot. Welcome to the platform.