This book came up in a kindle “books you may like” suggestion. The title intrigued me an after a few week of the book sitting in my “wish list” I decided to pick it up.

On October 28th, his suspicions were confirmed when he was served an ultimatum by Italian Ambassador Emanuele Grazzi. The ultimatum demanded that Italy – a close ally of Hitler’s Germany – be allowed to occupy Greek territory, or there would be war. This event marked a critical turning point in the geopolitical landscape of Europe at the time. Tensions between the Axis powers and Greece had been escalating for months, and this ultimatum pushed the situation to the brink of open conflict. It placed Greece in a precarious position, torn between defending its sovereignty and avoiding direct confrontation with two formidable military forces. The internal debates and external pressures faced by the Greek leadership during this period of uncertainty were immense, as they grappled with the weighty decision that could determine the fate of their nation. The diplomatic manoeuvrers and strategic calculations undertaken in response to this ultimatum reveal a complex web of alliances, power dynamics, and competing interests that defined this tumultuous era in European history.

Metaxas’s response to Grazzi, encapsulating the spirit and determination of the Greek people, reverberated across the nation, igniting a fierce sense of unity and defiance. The palpable tension in the air was juxtaposed with Metaxas’s unwavering confidence as he uttered his response. As dawn broke on October 28th, 1940, the Greek nation stood united in the face of adversity as Italian forces launched their assault, marking the beginning of a heroic struggle that would be eternally enshrined in the annals of history.

Rodolfo Graziani, marquess di Neghelli (born Aug. 11, 1882, Filettino, Italy—died Jan. 11, 1955, Rome) was an Italian field marshal, administrator, and adherent of Benito Mussolini.

Ioannis Metaxas rejected the ultimatum with the words “Alors, c’est la guerre” (French for “Then, it is war.”). In this he echoed the will of the Greek people to resist, a will which was popularly expressed in one word: “Ohi” (Όχι). Within hours, Italian troops began attacking Greece from Albania.

The map can be found here.

Greece’s remarkable defence against the Axis forces, particularly during the early stages of the war, showcased the determination and resilience of its people. The unexpected successes achieved by the Greek forces not only inflicted significant losses on the Axis Powers but also served as a source of inspiration for the embattled Allied forces. The courageous stand of Greece not only weakened the momentum of the Axis but also provided a much-needed morale boost to the Allied nations, underscoring the pivotal role played by the Greek resistance in altering the trajectory of World War II.

“Facing the Axis Powers: How Greece tried to counter Mussolini and Hitler in WWII” is the English edition of Sotirios F. Drokalos’s thesis for the MA in Contemporary Military History of the Niccolò Cusano University of Rome (AY 2019-2020). The original Italian title of the thesis: “Di fronte a due imperi: Come la Grecia cercò di contrastare l’offensiva italiana e tedesca (1940-41).” The thesis was awarded the maximum mark (110/110).

It was translated from Italian to English by Sotirios F. Drokalos himself. From Kindle

The book delves into the intricate details of Greece’s resistance against the Italian invasion, shedding light on the strategic manoeuvrers and unexpected challenges that hindered the formidable Wehrmacht’s military prowess. It thoroughly explores the miscalculations and oversights of Mussolini’s Fascist regime, offering compelling insights into why they underestimated the complexities of engaging in war with Greece. Additionally, the narrative unveils the clandestine efforts of both the British and the Germans to manipulate and exploit the Greco-Italian conflict for their respective advantages. Moreover, it meticulously examines Hitler’s opposition to Mussolini’s territorial ambitions in Greece, and the pivotal events that led to the German involvement in the conflict.

The diaries of key figures such as Ioannis Metaxas, Galeazzo Ciano, and Joseph Goebbels provide invaluable first-hand accounts, offering a glimpse into the lesser-known and dramatic episode of World War II.

An excellent resource which provided me far more detail of the politics behind the battles. The translation is sometimes a bit stilted but this in no way diminishes the end result.