12 Facts About Ioannis Demestichas

Ioannis Demestichas is best known for his participation in the Macedonian Struggle under the nom de guerre of Kapetan Nikiforos.

Ioannis Demestichas held various senior commands in the Greek Navy, including thrice as Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, and served briefly in cabinet positions.

Ioannis Demestichas was born in Athens on 30 November 1882.

Ioannis Demestichas entered the Hellenic Navy Academy on 1 September 1896, and graduated on 28 July 1900 as a Line Ensign.

Ioannis Demestichas participated in the 1906 Intercalated Games in the 400-metre course.

Ioannis Demestichas was wounded during the liberation of Chios, and was later appointed military governor of Tenedos.

Ioannis Demestichas then became captain of the destroyer Aspis, as well as instructor of naval calculus in the Naval Academy.

Ioannis Demestichas held the posts of Minister for Naval Affairs and for Aviation.

Ioannis Demestichas took part in Plastiras' second failed coup attempt in March 1935, and after its failure managed to escape to Napoli in Italy.

Ioannis Demestichas retired once more on 24 August 1945 as vice admiral in retirement, but was recalled between 30 August 1946 and 1 July 1947 to serve as a member of the commission on the selection of personnel for the reduced peacetime navy.

Busts of Ioannis Demestichas have been erected at Giannitsa and his family's home village of Kotronas.

Ioannis Demestichas is a major character in Penelope Delta's 1937 historical novel The Secrets of the Swamp, dealing with the Macedonian Struggle in the Giannitsa area.