HELLENIC ARMY GENERAL STAFF

ARMY HISTORY DIRECTORATE

AN ABRIDGED HISTORY OF THE GREEK - ITALIAN

AND GREEK - GERMAN WAR 1940-1941
(LAND OPERATIONS)

THE ARMY HISTORY DIRECTORATE EDITIONS

ATHENS 1985
COPYRIGHT 1985, The Hellenic Army General Staff (Greek Edition)
COPYRIGHT 1997, The Hellenic Army General Staff (English Edition)

DEDICATED TO THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THAT WAR

THE ARMY HISTORY DIRECTORATE
(for the Greek Edition)

DIRECTOR :

Lieutenant - General NIKOLAOS KEFALAS

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
AND PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR :
Major - General DIMITRIOS BECHRAKIS
DIRECTOR OF 5TH OFFICE (History Presently Written) :
Major - General EVANGELOS FLOROS
AUTHORS OF THE PRESENT VOLUME (in part) :
Colonel (Infantry) KONSTANTINOS POLYZOIS
Major - General GEORGIOS TOURKANTONIS
Major - General DIMITRIOS ADAMOS
Brigadier General ATHANASIOS PAPADIMITRIOU
EDITOR :

Colonel (Inf.) KONSTANTINOS POLYZOIS

TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH BY : MARIA HAKA

EDITION COMMITTEE : Major - General DIMITRIOS GEDEON
Lieutant - General PANTELIS GEORGIOU
Historian ANGELIKI DIMAS - DIMITRIOU
EDITOR (for the English edition) :
Historian ANGELIKI DIMAS - DIMITRIOU

PREFACE
(of the Greek Edition)
The History of the Greek - Italian and Greek - German War of 1940 - 1941 has been published by
the Army History Directorate of the Hellenic Army General Staff (HAGS) in a series of eleven (11) volumes,
including four (4) monographs for a more complete historic presentation of this period.
This extensive and voluminous series which includes a large number of sketch maps, is intended
and offered for study mainly by the Armed Forces and historians. The History Directorate of the HAGS, intent
on making the main events of this period of Modern History known to the general public and in particular to
the younger generations, proceeded to the writing and publication of the weather and terrain and the
overwhelming superiority of the enemy in men and material, the Greek Army fought, for six months,
approximately, a victorious war against the Italians in Northern Epirus and put up heroic resistance against
the Germans in Macedonia and Crete, earning the admiration of the Allies as well as that of its enemies.
Greece was forced to capitulate to the almighty German war machine, only after every hope of resistance
had been lost.
The attainments of the Greek Army were by no means fortuitous. They were the result of well made
preparations and high morale. All possible strategic and tactical options of the enemy had been examined
and responsibly dealt with, while the mobilization and operations plans were distinguished by simplicity and
realism. One order of a few words was enough to bring the entire countrys war mechanism into action.
During the operations, the enemys superiority in tanks and air forces was negated by our nations belief in
the rights of the struggle and the everlasting values of our Nation. Thus the Greek Army fulfilled the Nations
expectations. The Army and the People, together as an almighty National force, wrote down the most heroic
pages of Modern Greek History.
We also ought to praise the heroism displayed by the troops of the British Commonwealth, both in
mainland Greece as well as on the island of Crete. The amazing discipline, their excellent training but above
all their spirit of sacrifice, gave the impression that they were fighting for their very own native land.
Lastly, it is essential that we note the great contribution of Greece to the fight of the Allies against the
Axis. It is well known and widely acknowledged fact that the delay of the German invasion of Russia, by at
least one month, as a result of the offensive against Greece, was fatal for the Germans and decisively
altered the outcome of World War II.
On 27th April 1942, the first anniversary of the entry of the Germans into Athens, the Radio Station of
Moscow stated :
Greeks, you fought unarmed against the fully armed and won. You, the small against the mighty,
and carried the day. It could not have been otherwise, for you are GREEKS. We gained time to defend
ourselves. As Russians and as human beings we are grateful'
The Foreign Secretary of Great Britain at that time also made his statement :
... If the Hitlers unsuccessful - thanks to the Greek resistance - Mediterranean plan had succeeded,
Germanys assault on Russia would have had a different result ... .
Beyond all military achievements, however, there is no doubt that the Greek fighters on the
inaccessible rocky and snow-covered Mainland mountains, at the impregnable forts of the Beles and Nestos
defensive area and lastly on the heroic island of Crete, won immortal glory, thus contributing to the history of
the Greek Nation, through the centuries.

ATHENS
FEBRUARY 1984
(for the Greek Edition)

NIKOLAOS KEFALAS
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL

INTRODUCTION
The present volume, AN ABRIDGED HISTORY OF THE GREEK - ITALIAN AND GREEK GERMAN WAR 1940-1941 (LAND OPERATIONS) refers to war operations as well as the main political
and diplomatic events which decisively influenced the beginning as well as the conduct of the war. It is based

on the eleven (11) volume history published by the Army History Directorate of the HAGS which preceded
the present publication and which refers to the period 1940 - 1941. It consists of four (4) main parts, namely:
- PART ONE, includes the main political military and diplomatic events, which preceded the Italian
attack against Greece, as well as the operations in Epirus and in North West Macedonia from 28th October
until 13th November 1940. Greece, thanks to its appropriate preparation and the timely military measures it
took, managed during this period not only to repulse the Italian surprise attack, but also to take the initiative
in the operations to come, which in their first phase sought to restore the integrity of the national borders.
- PART TWO, refers to the Greek counter-attack, the advance of the Greek Army into the northern
mainland territory (approximately 30-80 km in) and the great PRIMAVERA (Spring) attack of the Italians
from 9th to 26th March 1941, which despite its good preparation, failed completely.
- PART THREE, refers to the German assault into Greece on 6th April 1941, the heroic defence of
the Greek forces in Eastern Macedonia and Western Thrace, the combined operations of the Greeks and the
British in Central and Western Macedonia, the withdrawal of the Greek Army from Albania and its
capitulation, the retrograde operations of the British Expeditionary Force up to the last embarkation ports
and, lastly, the occupation of the country (except for the island of Crete) by the enemy.
- PART FOUR, refers to the battle of Crete during the period of 20th to 31st May 1941 and the
occupation of the island by the Germans. The battle of Crete constituted the last heroic act of the war drama
and inflicted upon the German parachutists such a great number of casualties that Germany never mounted
such an operation again.
At the end of this volume there are summary tables of figures pertaining to casualties of the Greek
Army from the 28th October 1940 until 31st May 1941, as well as tables of names of the commanders of the
Greek and British large units in mainland Greece and Crete during the same period. In addition, the present
volume has been enriched with the necessary sketch-maps and photographs in order to provide the reader
with material as complete and understandable as possible.
The events and the conditions under which they took place are stated concisely, without comments.
Comments and conclusions are left to scholars and future historians, who may also resort to the unabridged
volumes published by the Army History Directorate of the HAGS as well as other relevant sources of
information and archives.
It must be noted that the Historian Ms. Margarita Tsibouxi - Tassopoulou of the Army History
Headquarters contributed to the editing of the Greek Edition.

ATHENS
FEBRUARY 1984

Major-General EVANGELOS FLOROS

Director/Head of 5th Office

EDITIONS OF THE ARMY HISTORY DIRECTORATE

The Greek Army in WW II
The Greek Army During WW II.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

The Causes and Pretexts of the Greek - Italian War 1940 - 1941.
The Italian Invasion (28th October - 13th November 1940).
The Greek Counter-attack (14th November 1940 - 6th January 1941).
Winter Operations - The Italian Spring Attack (7th January - 26th
March 1941).
Operations in Eastern Macedonia and Western Thrace (6th - 10th April
1941).
The End of an Epic War (27th March - 30th April 1941).
The Battle of Crete (20th - 30th May 1941).

Related Monographs of the ARMY HISTORY DIRECTORATE

8.
9.

The War Preparation of the Greek Army (1923 - 1940).

Army Supplies in Armament and Ammunition of Infantry and Artillery
during the War of 1940 - 1941.
10. The Fortification of the Frontier Zone 1936 - 1940 (Confidential).
1 1. The Army Medical Service during the War of 1940 - 1941.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
CHAPTER I
CAUSES AND PRETEXTS FOR WAR-DEFENCE MEASURES IN THE GREEK
TERRITORY UNTIL THE EVE OF THE ITALIAN ATTACK
1
- The military and political situation in the Balkan peninsula in the
beginning of 1939 and the expansionist aspirations of Italy
1
- The war organisation of the country in the beginning of 1939
7
- The occupation of Albania by Italy 10
- The first measures for the defence of the Greek territory 11
- The outbreak of the second world war and the diplomatic
position of Greece
17
- The entrance of Italy into the war and its position towards Greece
- New measures for the military confrontation of the Italian threat 23

19

CHAPTER II
THE SITUATION AND THE PLANS OF ACTION OF THE OPPONENT FORCES THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE GREEK - ITALIAN WAR AND THE OPERATIONS
IN EPIRUS AND NORTH-WESTERN MACEDONIA ( 28 october to 13 november 1940 ) 27
-

Political and military situation on the eve of the Italian attack 27

The situation of the opponent land forces
28
The situation of the opponent naval forces
34
The situation of the opponent air forces
36
The war plans of the adversaries
37
Configuration of the Albanian theatre of operations -transportation
The outbreak of the Greek - Italian war and the first Greek measures
The repercussions abroad
48
The Italian invasion in Epirus 50
The battle of Elea-Kalamas 53
The Italian invasion in Pindos 57
The Greek counter-attack in Pindos 63
The operations in north-western Macedonia 66
A general review of the events until 13 november 1940
69

41
42

CHAPTER III
THE GREEK COUNTER-ATTACK AND THE ADVANCE OF THE ARMY
ON THE NORTHERN EPIRUS TERRITORY
(November 14, 1940 until january 6, 1941)
75
- Intentions of the general headquarters regarding future operations
75
- A' army corps operations in Epirus (14 to 23 november 1940) 77
- The B' army corps operations in the area of Pindos (14 to 23 november 1940) 81
- The battle of Morova-Ivan and the occupation of Koritsa
by the C' army corps (14-23 november 1940) 84
- The new objectives of the general headquarters
92
- The advance of the A' army corps towards the valley of Drinos river
94
- The advance of the B' army corps towards Fraseri
(24-30 November 1940) 96
- The WMFAS (C'AC-DIVGR'K') operations,
- For the complete securing of the highplateau of Koritsa
98
- The occupation of Agii Saranda and Argyrokastro
(1-12 december 1940) 101
- The occupation of Premeti and Fraseri (1-12 december 1940) 106
- The operations of the WMFAS in the northern sector of the front
(Koritsa) (December 1-12, 1940)109
- Crisis within the ranks of the Italian high command
111
- The new intentions of the general headquarters regarding the further
development of the operations 113
- The operations of the A' army corps towards Tepeleni and
the valley of the river Siousitsa (December 13, 1940 - january 6, 1941)
114
- The operations of the B' Amy Corps towards Klissoura 118
(December 13, 1940 - January 6, 1941)
- The development of the operations in the northern sector of the front
(December 13, 1940 - January 6, 1941) 122
- Suspension of the Large Scale Offensive Operations 123

CHAPTER IV
THE GREEK ARMY WINTER OPERATIONS
AND THE ITALIAN GREAT "PRIMAVERA"(SPRING) ATTACK
( January 7 until March 26, 1941 )
124
- The general military situation in the beginning of 1941 125
- The offensive operations of the B' Army Corps
towards
Klissoura - Trebessina - Boubessi (January 7-25, 1941) 126
- Operations in the northern and southern sectors
(of the high plateau of Koritsa and Epirus) (January 7-25, 1941)
133
- The Italian attack against Klissoura (January 26-31, 1941) 134
- The mopping up of the ridgeline of Trebessina mountain
137
- Local operations from February 1 to 12, 1941 139
- The organization of the Epirus Field Army Section (EFAS) 140
- New attempts towards Tepeleni (February 13 - 28, 1941)
141
- On the eve of the Italian "PRIMAVERA" (SPRING) attack 143
- Warnings of the Italian attack and the decisions of the
Greek high command 146
- Offensive operations towards Sendeli and Tepeleni (March 7 - 8, 1941)
148
- The great "PRIMAVERA" (SPRING) attack of the Italians (March 9-15, 1941 )
- Gradual slackening off and suspension of the Italian offensive
(March 16-26, 1941)
159
- The inglorious end of the Italian attack
162

150

- A general review of the operations during the 2nd and 3rd period
of the Greek - Italian war ( November 14, 1940 to March 26, 1941 )
163

CHAPTER V
THE GERMAN ATTACK AGAINST GREECE AND THE FIGHTING IN EASTERN
MACEDONIA AND THRACE (April 6 to 9, 1941)
168
- The German threat 168
- British aid to the defence of Greece 170
- The problem of selecting the defensive area 171
- Description of the defensive areas in eastern Macedonia
and on Vermion 175
- The re-consideration of the deployment of the Greek - British forces
and the clarification of the Yugoslavian attitude 177
- The co-operation with the Yugoslavians and the stands of Turkey
- The deployment and the plan of operations of the German forces
- The disposition and the missions of the Greek and British forces
- The commencement of the German attack
185
- The first day of the German attack (April 6, 1941)
186
- The second day of the German attack (April 7, 1941) 190
- The third day of the German attack (April 8, 1941)
193
- The capitulation of the eastern Macedonia field army section 195
- The fighting on April 9 and the end of the battle of the forts
197

179
180
182

CHAPTER VI
THE BATTLES IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN MACEDONIATHE WITHDRAWAL AND THE CAPITULATION OF THE EPIRUS
ARMY-THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE BRITISH AND THE COMPLETION
OF THE OCCUPATION OF GREECE BY THE GERMANS
(April 9 until May 8, 1941)
201
- Final gleams of the Epirus epopee
201
- Changes in the Greek-British disposition
203
- The seizure of the Klidi area and the withdrawal towards Siniatsiko
206
- Battles in the area of Siniatsiko-Olympus mountains 209
- The withdrawal of the Greek army from Albania
212
- The retrograde manoeuvre of the WMFAS
216
- The retrograde movement of the EFAS
219
- The withdrawal of the British expeditionary force towards Thermopilae 224
- The political crisis and the departure of the King and the government to Crete
- The capitulation of the Epirus field army
230
- The departure of the British and the completion of the
occupation of the mainland of Greece 236
- The occupation of the Greek islands 240
- A general review of the German attack against Greece
and the end of the war
241

CHAPTER VII

227

THE PREPARATIONS AND THE PLANS OF OPERATIONS OF

THE ADVERSARIES 245
-

The strategic importance of the island of Crete

245
The Greek plans for the defence of the island 246
Crete under the British responsibility 247
The arrival of the King and the government to Crete
250
The British preparations
251
The general disposition of the British-Greek forces and missions
The German plans and preparations 256

253

CHAPTER VIII
THE CONDUCT OF THE BATTLE - THE COLLAPSE OF THE DEFENCE
AND THE EVACUATION OF THE ISLAND OF CRETE
263
- The German preparatory bombardments and their results 263
- The beginning of the German airborne assault (May 20, 1941)
- The A' Maleme - Agyia sector ( 2nd new Zealand division ) 264
- The B' Hania - Souda sector (MNBDO group)
268
- The C' Rethymno - Georgioupolis sector (19th Australian Brigade)
- The D' Iraklio sector (14th British Brigade) 271
- The second day of the German assault ( May 21, 1941 )
273
- The A' Maleme - Agyia and Hania - Souda sectors 273
- The B' Rethymno - Georgioupolis sector
275
- The C' Iraklio sector 276
- The third day of the German attack (May 22, 1941) 277
- The A' Maleme - Agyia and Hania - Souda sectors 277
- The B' Rethymno - Georgioupolis sector
279
- The C' Iraklio sector 280
- The fourth and the fifth day of the German attack
(May 23 and 24, 1941) 280
- The A' Maleme - Agyia and Hania - Souda sectors 280
- The B' Rethymno - Georgioupolis sector
283
- The C' Iraklio sector 283
- The continuation of the German attack (May 25 to 27, 1941)284
- The A' Maleme - Agyia and Hania - Souda sector 284
- The B' Rethymno - Georgioupolis sector
288
- The C' Iraklio sector 289
- The collapse of the defense and the evacuation of the island
(May 28 until June 1, 1941)
290
- The A' Maleme - Agyia and Hania - Souda sectors 290
- The B' Rethymno - Georgioupolis sector
292
- The C' Iraklio sector 293
- A general review of the battle of Crete
294
TABLES

297

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

321

MAIN NAMES IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

322

264
269