On 8 April 1944 the Germans took control of the town, which gave them access to the railroads, bridges and control over the supply routes for the Axis. They occupied the town until 31 October 1944. During the occupation, the Greek People's Liberation Army (Greek People's Liberation Army (ELAS) staged many sabotage missions against the Axis in the region while residents helped hide Greek fighters from the Germans. Because of its location it has had geopolitical significance, being one of the last places from which the Germans left after World War II ended.