Greece: The 1940 rejection of the Italian ultimatum

Ioannis Metaxas Greco-Italian War October 28 Benito Mussolini World War II

On the early morning of October 28, 1940, Italian Ambassador Emanuele Grazzi visited Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas at his residence in Kifissia around 3:00 AM. Grazzi delivered an ultimatum from Benito Mussolini's government, demanding that Italian forces be allowed to occupy unspecified strategic points within Greek territory.

Metaxas rejected the ultimatum, an act famously associated with the response “Alors, c’est la guerre” (So, it is war). Following the rejection, Italian forces launched an invasion from Albania in the early hours of October 29, marking Greece's entry into World War II.

Historical accounts note that Metaxas faced a complex dilemma, weighing the risk of national fragmentation and potential British military intervention against the demands of the Axis powers. Despite the onset of conflict, the Greek military launched counter-offensives in Northern Epirus, facing harsh winter conditions and significant logistical challenges.

Entities

Benito Mussolini · Emanuele Grazzi · Greece · Ioannis Metaxas · Italy · King George II · King George II of Greece · Sofia Vembo

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] Italian Ambassador Emanuele Grazzi visited Ioannis Metaxas at his Kifissia residence around 3:00 AM on October 28, 1940. cretaone.gr · blogs.sch.gr · musiccorner.gr · www.tovima.gr
[○ 1 SOURCE] King George II held pro-British sentiments during the start of World War II. www.radioevros.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] Italian forces began their attack from Albania on October 29, 1940. cretaone.gr · www.radioevros.gr · musiccorner.gr
[● 2 SOURCES] The Italian ultimatum demanded the occupation of unspecified strategic points in Greece. cretaone.gr · www.tovima.gr
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Italian submarine Delfino torpedoed the Greek destroyer Elli on August 15, 1940. blogs.sch.gr
[● 2 SOURCES] Italian forces attacked Greece from Albania following the rejection of the ultimatum. cretaone.gr · musiccorner.gr
[● 5 SOURCES] Ioannis Metaxas rejected the Italian ultimatum. cretaone.gr · www.radioevros.gr · www.agrinionews.gr · musiccorner.gr · www.tovima.gr
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Italian Spring Offensive began on March 9, 1941. www.olympia.gr
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Greek 5th Regiment fought at Hill 731 between March 9 and March 11, 1941. www.olympia.gr
[○ 1 SOURCE] Metaxas held a confidential meeting with Athens newspaper owners on October 30, 1940, to explain his decision. www.agrinionews.gr