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Period: to
WWII
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Italians decide on operation to invade Greece
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Italian forces begin launching attacks into Greece from positions in Albania
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An Italian force of 70,000 soldiers invades Greece
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Period: to
British forces begin to occupy positions on the island of Crete
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The Italian invasion force is in full retreat, repelled by a combined Greek resistance and RAF effort after just two weeks
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Period: to
A combined British-Greek force begins an offensive against the Italians in Greece, forcing the invaders into retreat
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Bulgaria agrees to allow Germany use of its soil bordering Greece for upcoming invasion
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The Italians launch a new offensive in Greece to recover lost ground
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The number of British troops having arrived in Greece numbers 58,000
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The German 12th Army encircles and defeats the Greek defensive line known as the "Metaxas Line"
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The German Army moves on and captures the strategic port city of Salonika
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The German Army destroys Yugoslavian forces at Monistar Gap, clearing a path into Greece, and Greece units fighting in Albania are effectively cut off
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Allied forces in Greece are in full retreat at the request of Greek General Alexander Papagos who sees value is less fighting to save his country from total destruction and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill accepts the request
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The Greek Army surrenders to the Germans and Italians
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Axis (German) forces officially occupy Athens, signaling the end of Greek resistance
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Italy surrenders to the Allies, and Germans take control of Italian occupation zones in Greece