From Neutrality to Captivity and Propaganda: The Greek 11th Division and iv Army Corps under French and German Control (August-September 1916)

Abstract This article examines the unique circumstances concerning the dual captivity of two formations of the neutral Greek army in 1916. By analysing the experiences of the 11 th Division and the iv Army Corps, captured by the French and the Germans respectively, the study offers a comparative perspective on Greece’s military vulnerability due to the strategic implications of its neutrality. Furthermore, it investigates these events through the perspectives of Greek military personnel of all ranks, revealing their emotional responses and perceptions. Additionally, the article delves into the propaganda efforts surrounding these captivities, highlighting attempts to influence public opinion regarding Greece’s role and choices during the conflict. As the first comprehensive analysis of these dual captures, this work sheds further light on the simultaneous pressure from the opposing coalitions that Greece and its army faced due to its strict neutrality stance during the early years of the First World War.