In August 1944, members of collaborationist organizations such as the EEE and Security Battalions began enlisting into X and EDES en-masse in order to avoid persecution as liberation seemed imminent.[7] Grivas concentrated his efforts in the wealthy districts of Athens and expanded X to between 2,000 and 3,000 men in 1944. He recruited his men and arms from officers who were retained on the active list by the quisling government.[8] Before the German departure fortified a base near the ancient temple of Thiseion.[9] Towards the end of the Occupation, X received British arms and uniforms from Middle East Command representative in Athens Panagiotis Spiliotopoulos. X then enacted armed patrols from the eastern coast of Attica to the Athens city center.[10]