Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis attends celebrations for the anniversary of the Liberation of Metsovo and the Remembrance Day for the Fallen Cavalry –[...]

Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis attends celebrations for the anniversary of the Liberation of Metsovo and the Remembrance Day for the Fallen Cavalry - Armour Officers of 1940

November 1, 2026

The Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis, today, Sunday 01 November 2026, attended the celebrations for the commemoration of the liberation of Metsovo and the Remembrance Day for the Fallen Cavalry - Armour Officers of 1940, held in Metsovo.

The celebrations were attended by MPs Giorgos Amyras, Ioannis Tsimaris, the Head of Region of Epirus, Alexandros Kachrimanis, the Mayor of Metsovo, Maria Christina Averof, the Chief HAGS, Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Commanding General of the Supreme Military Command of Epirus and Macedonia, Lieutenant General Grigorios Bountliakis, the Chief of Staff HAGS, Lieutenant General Konstantinos Karamanidis, the Commanding General of the 8th Motorised Brigade (VIII MB "EPIRUS") Brigadier General Vasileios Kolios, and delegations of Officers of the Armed and Security Forces.

In his address Mr. Davakis stated, among others:

"It is a particular honour for me to attend today's ceremony, here in historical Metsovo, se we could render the least tribute of honour to the fallen cavalrymen of the '40 epic.

Our national consciousness is baptised anew in these heroic mountain passes of Pindus. Here, where the heroic Hellenic Cavalry, under the command of General Georgios Stanotas of immortal memory, crossed nearly three hundred kilometres from Thessaloniki in record time, demonstrating that the Hellenic soul can overcome any material superiority.

The Victory of the Hellenic Cavalry Division against the Italian Alpine Division prevented the separation of our forces and wrote some of the most shining pages of glory.

The hoofs of our horses have given way to the tracks of our tanks, and our contemporary "black berets" have assumed the baton as worthy heirs, maintaining the same fighting spirit and indomitable Hellenic soul, standing ever ready to pay the debt to the country.

Our history teaches that Greece never bows down to numerical and material superiority when defending Her holy grounds, Her liberty and dignity.

The State guards this legacy, reinforcing our deterrent capability, by steadily orienting itself towards national security and peace.

May the memory of our heroes be eternal!

Long live the Hellenic Armed Forces! Long live our Country"!