Heinz A. Richter Books

Greece 1947-1967 compiles contributions by Heinz A. Richter, exploring the nation's history from the civil war to the 1967 coup d'état. The first part examines key factors of the civil war, including a detailed analysis of the Varkiza Agreement of 1945 between the Greek government and the EAM, revealing that its violations ultimately ignited the conflict. An English document by C. M. Woodhouse highlights the terror in the Peloponnese during summer 1945. Contrary to the belief that the Greek Communist Party's second plenary initiated the civil war, Richter debunks this as a myth. He also investigates the murder of Georg Polk, identifying the true perpetrators, and analyzes the political context of the attack on Konitsa, alongside the evolution of the Communist Party, which expanded to 200,000 members during the occupation but reverted to a cadre party post-war. The second section delves into the military coup of April 21, 1967, through three articles that discuss Greece's crisis leading to the coup, its preparations, and the misconception that the U.S. orchestrated it. Richter emphasizes that the coup was, in fact, a genuine Greek initiative.

Heinz A. Richter's new study sheds light on the importance of the Bosporus and the Dardanelles before and during the First World War. From the development of Anglo-Russian relations to the start of the war and Turkey's entry into it, the role of the Straits in the struggle for Constantinople is examined. The detailed account of the political maneuvering of the powers involved around the Battle of Gallipoli is based on previously unevaluated Russian files and offers a new and comprehensive insight into the history of the Straits issue in the international politics of the early 20th century. -- Provided by publisher

Synopsis: This volume addresses itself to readers interested in Cyprus who want to learn more than what can be found in guidebooks or perhaps in newspapers but do not have the time to delve into the history of this island. It covers the era from 1878 when Cyprus became British to 1977 when Makarios signed the so-called High Level Agreement, dying shortly later. But in order to help the reader to a better understanding of the development from then to the present this concise history contains a short overview of developments after 1977. This is by no means a dry handbook of Cypriot history. The aim is an easy-reading, fascinating text satisfying all scholarly standards.

The war in Macedonia between 1915 and 1918 and its political consequences are forgotten events of the First World War. Heinz A. Richter's second volume on the war in the Southeast, based on literature from Germany, Austria, England, France and Greece, is the first comprehensive scientific study of military and political developments in Macedonia. After numerous unsuccessful Allied offensives from their fortified bridgehead near Thessaloniki, which failed due to the combined forces of Bulgarians and Germans, German troops were almost completely withdrawn in 1918 to be deployed on the Western Front. The war-weary Bulgarians could not stop the attack and the Bulgarian front in Macedonia collapsed. It was a local defeat, but it was re-styled by Hindenburg and Ludendorff in Germany as a kind of second dagger thrust legend to conceal the defeat they were responsible for in the West. The Greek king tried to keep his country out of the war, but this was interpreted as pro-German policy by Sarrail, the commander-in-chief of the troops in Thessaloniki. Sarrail did everything possible to overthrow Constantine I from the throne, supported by the former Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos, who believed that by entering the war on the side of the Allies he could make the dream of the Megali Idea come true. The result was what the Greeks call the Ethnicos Dichasmos, the national division. It shaped Greek politics for many years.

This study deals with the History of Cyprus in the 19th & 20th Century

This study deals with the conflicts in the Aegean in the 20th century. It is the English translation of "Friede in der Agais" published 30 years ago.

"Starting from Clausewitz's famous statement that war is the continuation of politics by other means, Heinz A. Richter's study does not view the Battle of Crete in isolation as a purely military event, but as part of the then political and military confrontation between the British world and its allies with the Axis powers. Thus, as far as the prehistory is concerned, the presentation is also a piece of history of diplomacy. At the same time, the different strategic concepts of the two parties involved are analyzed, taking into account the partly divergent internal German plans of the army on the one hand and the navy and air force on the other. The operational planning of both sides are discussed in detail. Finally, the tactical implementation and parallel effects in the Middle East and London are observed in the description of the battle itself".