Axis occupation of Greece

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The occupation of Greece by the Axis powers began in April 1941 after the German invasion of Greece to assist its ally, Italy, in the Greco-Italian War had begun in October 1940. Following the Battle

1941. German soldiers raising the German War Flag over the Acropolis. It would be taken down by Manolis Glezos and Apostolos Santas in one of the first acts of resistance.

1944. Prime Minister Georgios Papandreou and others on the Acropolis after the liberation from the Nazis

German artillery shelling the Metaxas Line

German soldiers in Athens, 1941

Greco-Italian War

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The Greco-Italian War, also called the Italo-Greek War, took place between Italy and Greece from 28 October 1940 to 23 April 1941. This conflict began the Balkans campaign of World War II between the

Axis occupation of Greece

…by the Axis powers (Greek: Η Κατοχή, romanized: I Katochi) began in April 1941 after the German invasion of Greece to assist its ally, Italy, in the Greco-Italian War had begun in October 1940. Following the Battle of Crete, Greece was occupied starting in June 1941. The occupation of the mainland lasted until Germany…

Clockwise: Italian bombers over Greek territory, Italian soldiers during winter in Albania, Greek soldiers in Gjirokaster, Greek soldiers during the Italian spring offensive

Eleftherios Venizelos, Prime Minister of Greece (various terms 1910–1933)

Benito Mussolini, Prime Minister of Italy

Greek cruiser Elli that was sunk on 15 August 1940 while she sat at anchor.