Konstantinos Davakis

Infobox Military Person
name=Konstantinos Davakis
"Κωνσταντίνος Δαβάκης"
lived=1897–21 January 1943


caption=Colonel Davakis
allegiance=
rank=Colonel
branch=Hellenic Army
unit=Davakis Detachment
placeofbirth=Kechrianika,Laconia, Greece
serviceyears=1916-1943
laterwork=
battles=
awards=Silver Medal of Sacrifice by the Athens Academy
relations=

Konstantinos Davakis ( _el. Κωνσταντίνος Δαβάκης) was a Greek military figure during World War II.

Early life

He was born in the village of Kechrianika, Laconia prefecture in 1897. After graduating military school, he saw action in World War I and the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922).

Greco-Italian War

Davakis was a colonel when Italy attacked Greece on 28 October 1940. As commander of the Pindus detachment (Απόσπασμα Πίνδου), he successfully repelled the Italian "Julia" Alpine Division's attack in late October 1940 but was seriously injured in November of the same year, when he counter-attacked, nearly destroying it.

Captivity and death

He was taken prisoner by the Italians in 1942 while still in hospital. As he was being taken to a concentration camp in Italy, his boat was torpedoed and all aboard perished. His body was washed up, recognized and buried in Avlona (Vlore). He was honoured posthumously with the silver medal of sacrifice by the Athens Academy.

Legacy

The Davakis' detachment ,composed of two Infantry Battalions -out of the 51st Infantry Regiment- one cavalry troop and one Artillery battery, was the first Greek unit that received the "blow" of the Italian invasion to Greece in October '40. He and his men, alone, stood against the Italians for two days (October 28-October 30, 1940).