The exception of Salonika: Bystanders and collaborators in Northern Greece (Greek-Christian reaction and response to Jewish persecution under the German occupation, 1941-1943)

Historians have largely overlooked Greek-Christian reaction to the persecution of Jews in the city of Salonika under the German occupation. The organized rescue of Greek Jews in Athens is well known, but the less united Christian response in Salonika is not. A number of factors combined to make evasion difficult for Jews in Salonika. German terrorization of the Christian population discouraged expressions of concern; anti-Semitic elements in the press collaborated with the Germans, as did the provincial administration; and finally, provincial Greek officials in Salonika and German diplomats in Athens cooperated to mislead the collaborationist government itself. The key officials involved were Vasilis Simonides, the governor-general of Macedonia, and Gunther Altenburg, Germany's plenipotentiary in Athens.