# Italian invasion of Greece

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/italian-invasion-of-greece
> Updated: 2026-10-28T05:30:41.000Z. Sources: 18. Developments: 2.

The conflict began in the early morning of October 28, 1940, when Italian Ambassador Emanuele Grazzi delivered an ultimatum to Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas at his residence in Kifissia. The demands required Greece to allow Italian forces to occupy unspecified strategic locations, which Metaxas rejected, reportedly stating, “Alors, c’est la guerre” (“So, it is war”).

Following the rejection, Italian troops launched an invasion from Albania at approximately 5:30 AM on October 29. While the Greek Army repelled initial attacks and launched counter-offensives in Northern Epirus, the invasion caused significant hardship for the population. Civilians faced aerial bombardments in cities like Patras, necessitating flight to rural areas, and endured severe shortages of goods and extreme weather conditions. Personal testimonies, such as those from survivor Iro Georgopoulou-Danelatou, highlight the confusion and fear experienced by students and families during these bombings.

Resistance involved intense combat in the Pindus and Epirus mountains under harsh winter conditions. The period was characterized by significant civilian mobilization, with women and children providing supplies and clothing to soldiers at the front. Despite economic ties to Nazi Germany, Greek leadership, including King George II, maintained pro-British sentiments. 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. On October 30, 1940, Metaxas held a confidential meeting with Athens newspaper owners to explain the decision to the public.

## Claims

- Ioannis Metaxas rejected the Italian ultimatum. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Italian Ambassador Emanuele Grazzi visited Ioannis Metaxas at his Kifissia residence around 3:00 AM on October 28, 1940. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Italian forces began their attack from Albania on October 29, 1940. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Italian ultimatum demanded the occupation of unspecified strategic points in Greece. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- King George II held pro-British sentiments during the start of World War II. (single source)
- The Italian submarine Delfino torpedoed the Greek destroyer Elli on August 15, 1940. (single source)
- Metaxas held a confidential meeting with Athens newspaper owners on October 30, 1940, to explain his decision. (single source)
- The Italian Spring Offensive began on March 9, 1941. (single source)
- The Greek 5th Regiment fought at Hill 731 between March 9 and March 11, 1941. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-28: Greece 1940: Personal accounts of the Italian invasion and wartime hardships

Personal accounts from 1940 recount the human toll of the Italian invasion of Greece, including the bombing of Patras and the hardships faced by soldiers and civilians.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greece-1940-personal-accounts-of-the-italian-invasion-and-wartime-hardships

### 2026-10-27: Greece: The historical rejection of the 1940 Italian ultimatum

In October 1940, Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas rejected an Italian ultimatum demanding strategic territory, leading to an Italian invasion from Albania and Greece's entry into World War II.

13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greece-in-october-1940-the-eve-of-war-and-social-life

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Cite as: Italian invasion of Greece. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/italian-invasion-of-greece