Georgios Kakulidis

Georgios Kakulidis

Greek Vice Admiral, Commander of the Fleet, Macedonian
Date of Birth: 10.05.1871
Country: Greece

Content:
  1. Early Life and Naval Career
  2. Training in the Russian Navy
  3. The Macedonian Struggle
  4. Return to the Greek Navy
  5. Commander of the Greek Fleet
  6. Liberation of Smyrna
  7. Later Life

Early Life and Naval Career

Georgios Kakoulides was born in Athens on May 10, 1871. His father, Aristotelis Kakoulides, was a prosecutor under King Otto. Despite his father's wishes, Georgios pursued a naval career, graduating with honors from the Naval Academy in Piraeus in 1894.

Training in the Russian Navy

Kakoulides was awarded a government scholarship to intern on a foreign navy. He chose the Russian Navy and spent three years on the armored cruiser "Admiral Nakhimov," sailing to the Russian Far East, China, and Japan.

The Macedonian Struggle

Upon his return to Greece, Kakoulides faced a new threat in Ottoman-occupied Macedonia. Bulgarian claims and violence against Greek supporters of the Patriarchate of Constantinople prompted Greeks to form defense forces. Kakoulides, fluent in Russian, joined the fight as an agent under General Akritas in 1904. He was listed first among the naval officers who participated in the Macedonian struggle.

Return to the Greek Navy

After Macedonia, Kakoulides resumed his service in the Greek Navy. During World War I, he joined the pro-Allied government of Eleftherios Venizelos. In 1916, he seized the battleship "Hydra" in Piraeus and led it to Venizelos in Thessaloniki.

Commander of the Greek Fleet

When the government returned to Athens, Kakoulides was appointed Commander of the Greek Fleet. On November 13, 1918, he entered Constantinople aboard the battleship "Georgios Averof" alongside Allied fleets. The "Averof" anchored opposite the Sultan's Dolmabahçe Palace.

Liberation of Smyrna

On May 12, 1919, Kakoulides participated in the liberation of Smyrna (Izmir) as the representative of the Greek state aboard the battleship "Kilkis."

Later Life

After the restoration of the monarchy, Kakoulides retired from the navy. He served as a member of Parliament for the Macedonian constituency of Kozani from 1923. In 1929, he was appointed Governor of Thrace. The municipality of Komotini named a street after him.

© BIOGRAPHS