[REVISION HISTORY]

Italian invasion of Greece

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2026-10-28 09:25 UTC → 2026-10-28 22:59 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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.

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