A communist-dominated guerrilla army in Greece. The initials stand for the Greek words meaning National People’s Liberation Army. It was created during World War II by the communist-controlled National Liberation Front (EAM) to fight against German occupation forces. By the time of the German defeat and withdrawal (1944–45) EAM/ELAS controlled much of Greece and opposed the restoration of the monarchy, aiming to replace it with a communist regime. A bitter civil war broke out (1946–49), which prompted US promise of support in the Truman Doctrine (1947). Stalin’s unwillingness to support the Greek communists contributed to their defeat.