Introduction

Greece and Germany are partners in multiple unions. Their bilateral history includes peaceful and calm, but also war-ridden and dark sides, mutual dependencies and economic asymmetries. After 2008 the darker sides have gained political, academic, and public attention. Germany and Greece were enemies in both world wars. During World War II (WWII), Germany and its Axis-allies Italy and Bulgaria occupied Greece. During this period, multiple atrocities were committed by the Wehrmacht and the other occupying forces, leaving a bloody trail throughout Greece. While the legacy of 1941–1945 is a part of Greek public memory and public dialogue, the economic crisis of 2008-2015 served as a catalyst and reintroduced this period to a broader public also marking the beginning of Germany's foreign policy of reconciliation towards Greece.