Greece’s culture ministry has designated 12 World War II photographs posted for sale on eBay as a monument of modern Greek history, along with the entire collection they belong to.
The images, taken by Wehrmacht lieutenant Hermann Heuer in 1944, show Greek patriots moments before their execution by German occupation forces at Kaisariani on May 1, 1944.
Posted by Belgian collector Tim de Craene through his Crain’s Militaria shop, the photos sparked widespread reaction in Greek media and social platforms. While the 12 images were removed from sale on February 16, the broader collection remains available.
Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said: “The 12 photographs that were publicised and show Greek patriots before their execution in Kessariani on May Day 1944 are outstandingly important documents of modern Greek history.”
She added the images “‘put a face’ on historical witness reports of their principles and patriotism a few moments before their execution, and that is why they are priceless.”
Mendoni said the rest of the collection is also significant, offering insight into occupied Greece through the lens of Nazi propaganda.
“The propaganda mechanism set up by Joseph Goebbels utilised his era’s state-of-the-art information technology – cinema and photography – to provide a set-up proof of ‘success’ and dissemination, as a tool of influence,” she noted.
The ministry has contacted the collector, with specialists set to visit him in Evergem, Belgium, on Friday. Following the declaration, the state now has legal grounds to claim and acquire the collection.
