British Military Mission (Bmm) to Greece, 1942-44

The study of insurgency and counterinsurgency over the years provides a valuable tool for analysis in the current Global War on Terrorism. Failure to take into account and accurately assess political and military actions in such environments can lead to unintended consequences (potential civil war) affecting the stability of a country. Accurate assessment of the political and military actions does not guarantee success or failure, as every insurgency is a unique case, which requires observation and analysis through the strategic implications particular to each circumstance. One historical example for analysis is the British Military Mission (BMM) to Greece in 1942-44, which begs the question 'did the policies utilized by the British in balancing the opposing political and military objectives of rival guerilla forces delay or help bring about the Greek Civil War?'; This monograph explores the question by analyzing the historical documentation of actual events that transpired during the mission and whether they delayed or help bring about the Greek Civil War. The British Military Mission to Greece from 1942-44 originated for the purpose of disrupting German supply lines to North Africa in support of British operations aimed at defeating the Germans at El Alamein. This twelve-man mission inserted into Greece to organize, coordinate and direct Greek guerilla factions against occupying Axis forces and sever crucial supply lines feeding German forces in North Africa. The initial target consisted of a viaduct supporting the single rail line running through the country. The British members of the mission in coordination with two rival guerilla factions successfully destroyed the viaduct and halted German supply flow for several weeks. The mission demonstrated that guerilla forces in conjunction with Allied support could accomplish critical missions tied to Allied strategy and opened the door for more ambitious plans for coordinated guerilla warfare throughout Europe. The e