Georgios Kotoulas (born in Karditsa in 1906) and Ilias Kazakos (born in Messolonghi in 1905) were officers of the Coast Guard who coordinated the escape of many Greeks and foreigners to the Middle East. When their activities were betrayed and they attempted, along with others, to flee with two boats from Piraeus, they were captured by the Germans and imprisoned as hostages. They were executed on June 5, 1942, at the Kaisariani Shooting Range in retaliation for the sabotage that occurred in Liosia – Menidi.
I die with the name of beloved Greece on my lips. Fate has chased me in recent years, yet I am grateful for the chance to give my life for the Homeland, which I envision as glorious.
[…] We are in the cell, hand in hand, together with Ilias.
Averof Prison, Thursday, June 4, 1942, 10:00 p.m.
My Lily, my Katina, Pipi,
In 10 minutes, we will be before the firing squad. Courage, pride. All of us, 8 in total, stood as we were—calm officers. I, Kotoulas, am writing hand in hand on this package as i am standing. Please request my letter from Papantonis and my belongings from the guards of Averof, No. 73.
(message written on a cigarette package)