I am currently reading Munoz's "Herakles & the Swastika" and on p. 36 he writes as thus:
(bold mine)The last major anti-guerilla operation to be launched in Greece was codenamed "Kreuzotter" (Otter Crossing). It was begun on August 5th and lasted till the 25th. The operation concentrated on the Karpenisi area and also included the region south of Karpenisi and west of Amfissa. This region was held by the German 104th Jaeger Division. Volunteer Battalion "Agrinio" took part in this operation, advancing with 104th Division troops from the Agrinio-Makrynia area towrds Thermo and Aetopetra, entering Berikos on August 7th.
I am interested in this piece of information for the following reasons:
a) Karpenisi is my mother's birth place (well a village close by: Kontiva)
b) When I was actually there a few years back, a little old lady was telling me that Italian troops had slaughtered some Greek troops in the next village and that "you can hear the soldiers' wailing at a spot just a little further away fom here". There must be some truth to her story telling, except that it was probably not Italian troops but either the German detachment or the Greek Volunteer detachment who committed this "atrocity" (ie. if it ever occured).
This leads me to my turning to all of you and begin begging:
1) Does anyone know of this Operation?
2) Are there any pictures available? (A long shot, I know, but worth asking)
3) Are there any more in-depth accounts of this operation? Unfortunately, Munoz does not state anything regarding any actual combat taking place in Karpenisi (/Karpenision), so any information is MOST welcome.
4) Was there an atrocity committed in Karpenisi either during the time of this particular operation or throughout the whole period of the Occupation?
5) Is there any information on the German 104th Jaeger Division?
Please, if anyone has any information, I will be most indebted to you.
As you all know, information concerning the Greek occupation (in terms of Collaborators) is most difficult to come by, and any piece of information that may be gleaned from here and there is most valuable.
I thank you all in advance.
Nick