Greece in the Second World War

Greece in the Second World War.

On the night of the 28th of October, Italian ambassador Grazzi visited Metaxas with a list of demands for unfettered strategic military access, to which Metaxas responded either in French
"Alors, c'est la guerre!" (Then it is war) or in Greek simply "Όχι!" (No!).

Within a few hours, Italy began its invasion of Greece through Albania, starting the Greco-Italian phase of the Second World War. In preparation of such conflict, Metaxas' government:

• constructed the “Metaxas Line” along the Bulgarian Border
• successfully led a pre-war Partial Mobilisation
• drafted the prudent IB (Italy-Bulgaria) defence plan

From October 28th 1940 to January 28th 1941, the Greek armed forces repelled the Italians and managed to launch successful counter-offensives against Italian and Albanian forces, occupying a significant portion of Albania, including many traditionally Greek Northern Epirote towns.

Metaxas would see only success, dying on the 29th of January of sudden toxaemia. By April, the Greek offensive stalled and Germany initiated "Operation Marita", invading Greece through Bulgaria and Yugoslavia.