Greco-Italian War
"Italy's entry into the war has been nothing but a disaster for us. If the Italians hadn't attacked
Greece and needed our help, the war would have taken a different course. We could have
anticipated the Russian cold by weeks and conquered Leningrad and Moscow. There would
have been no Stalingrad."
Leni Riefenstahl in a conversation with Adolf Hitler, 30 March 1944
Oxi Day (No Day)
On October 28th 1940, Italian leader Benito Mussolini gave the Prime Minister of Greece, Ioannis Metaxas, an ultimatum: Let Axis forces pass through Greece without resistance or go to war against Italy.
Metaxas refused and Italian troops crossed into Greek territory, beginning the Greco-Italian War.
Metaxas refused and Italian troops crossed into Greek territory, beginning the Greco-Italian War.
Greco-Italian War
While Italy had gotten a head start in the war, the Greeks recovered and launched their counter attack on November 4. The Greeks were able to successfully force the Italians back despite shortages in vehicles, aircraft, equipment, and supplies.
"We fight, not only for our own existence, but also for the other Balkan peoples and Albania's liberation as well." President of Greece, General Metaxas
Even though there was barely any equipment they could spare, England, especially English Prime Minister Winston Churchill, supported Greece's struggle to remain free.
"If Greece was overwhelmed, it would be said that in spite of our guarantees we had allowed one more small ally to be swallowed up." - Winston Churchill November 4th, 1940
The United States was also a supporter of Greece by giving them supplies.
First Allied Win
The Greeks pushed the Italians out of their country by April 1941, marking the first land victory for the Allied forces. This event heightened the Allies morale by proving that the Axis could be stopped.