Benito Amilicare Andrea Mussolini15 October 1940
Mussolini and his closest advisers finalise their decision to invade Greece
Italy · Warfare / World War, 2nd. Chronological records rendered directly from the World History Database.
Mussolini and his closest advisers finalise their decision to invade Greece
Mussolini decides to proceed with the planned invasion of Greece despite German reservations about widening the Balkan war.
Metaxas rejected the ultimatum (the refusal is commemorated as Ohi Day, a national holiday in Greece), but even before its expiration, Italian troops had invaded Greece through Albania. Italian Ambassador Emmanuel Grazzi presents Metaxas with a three-hour ultimatum, in which he demands free passage for troops to occupy unspecified "strategic sites" within Greek territory
Metaxas rejects the Italian ultimatum (commemorated as Ohi Day, a national holiday in Greece)
The failed invasion attempt diverts German divisions from the Russian front
During the Battle of Elaia-Kalamas the Italians fought their way across the Thyamis (Kalamas) river, but were then forced to a halt
Hitler intervened on November 4, 1940, four days after the British took both Crete and Lemnos
Within weeks the Italians are driven out of Greece and Greek forces pushed on to occupy much of southern Albania
Mussolini oversees the opening of a major Italian offensive against Greece, but the attack fails to break the Greek front.
Italy's spring offensive fails to achieve a decisive breakthrough, increasing dependence on German intervention in the Balkans.
Operation Marita begins as German forces invade Greece through Bulgaria, intervening after the failure of the Italian campaign.
The Axis conquest of mainland Greece is effectively completed as Athens falls and Allied forces continue withdrawing south.
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