 Eventually, the EAM incorporated 90% of the Greek resistance movement, boasted a total membership of over 1,500,000, including 50,000 armed guerrillas, and controlled much of rural mainland Greece and attracted large numbers of non-Communists.The first contact between Soviet officers and members of the Communist Party and the EAM-ELAS forces occurred at 28 July 1943.The National Republican Greek League (EDES) was led by Napoleon Zervas, a former army officer and republican.