Preserving the History of World War II
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Copyright © 2007. Joseph Bradley. All Rights Reserved.
Address: 201 Main Street P.O. Box 273 Eldred, PA 16731 | Phone: 814-225-2220
Address: 201 Main Street P.O. Box 273 Eldred, PA 16731 | Phone: 814-225-2220
Greece
The Eldred World War II Museum
Greece was plunged into World War II when Italy invaded the country on October 28, 1940. Despite overwhelming
numerical and technological superiority, the Italians were driven back beyond their starting point of Albania. Today
the conflict is remembered in Greece as "Ohi" Day every October 28. Ohi (No!) being the response to Italian
demands for surrender by Greece Prime Minster Ioannis Metaxas.
After Italy failed to capture Greece, its' German ally descended upon the Balkans. In April 1941, Germany launched
Operation Marita, the invasion of Greece. The Greeks put up a fierce defense, but were eventually overrun. By the
end of April 1941, mainland Greece was in German hands.
With the British troops in Greece evacuating to the island of Crete, the stage was set for one last major conflict in
Greece. The Germans launched Operation Mercury, the airborne invasion of Crete, began on May 20, 1941. The
Germans suffered substantial casualties during Operation Mercury. Despite Germany's losses, they eventually overran
Crete. By the beginning of June 1941, Crete was firmly in the hands of Germany. Almost 4,000 elite German troops
died during operations on Crete, a figure so high Adolf Hitler vowed to never use paratroopers on a large scale for the
remainder of the war.
Although Greece was eventually defeated by Germany, Greece's triumph over Italy marked the first victory over an
Axis nation. The subsequent German invasion has often been considered a vital contribution to Hitler's defeat on
the Eastern Front, delaying the initial invasion of the Soviet Union.
numerical and technological superiority, the Italians were driven back beyond their starting point of Albania. Today
the conflict is remembered in Greece as "Ohi" Day every October 28. Ohi (No!) being the response to Italian
demands for surrender by Greece Prime Minster Ioannis Metaxas.
After Italy failed to capture Greece, its' German ally descended upon the Balkans. In April 1941, Germany launched
Operation Marita, the invasion of Greece. The Greeks put up a fierce defense, but were eventually overrun. By the
end of April 1941, mainland Greece was in German hands.
With the British troops in Greece evacuating to the island of Crete, the stage was set for one last major conflict in
Greece. The Germans launched Operation Mercury, the airborne invasion of Crete, began on May 20, 1941. The
Germans suffered substantial casualties during Operation Mercury. Despite Germany's losses, they eventually overran
Crete. By the beginning of June 1941, Crete was firmly in the hands of Germany. Almost 4,000 elite German troops
died during operations on Crete, a figure so high Adolf Hitler vowed to never use paratroopers on a large scale for the
remainder of the war.
Although Greece was eventually defeated by Germany, Greece's triumph over Italy marked the first victory over an
Axis nation. The subsequent German invasion has often been considered a vital contribution to Hitler's defeat on
the Eastern Front, delaying the initial invasion of the Soviet Union.
Affiliation: Allies
Entered the War: October 28, 1940
Killed in Action: 50,000*
*estimated military deaths
Entered the War: October 28, 1940
Killed in Action: 50,000*
*estimated military deaths
