In the early morning of October 28, 1940, the Italian ambassador Grazzi delivered a scathing ultimatum to Ioannis Metaxas and received a proud NO. The Italians attacked the border earlier than the scheduled expiration of their ultimatum. The Italian forces that would undertake the invasion of Greece were the XXV Army Corps in the Epirus sector, with a strength of 42,000 men, the XXVI Army Corps in western Macedonia, with a strength of 44,000 men, and the 3rd Alpinist Division "Julia", between the two corps army, with a strength of 10,800 men.
The Italian plan of operations provided for an offensive movement in the sector of Epirus and in Pindos and maintaining an initially defensive posture in the area east of Koritsa. In the first phase, the Italian effort was planned in the direction of Kalpaki - Ioannina - Preveza, with simultaneous coverage by secondary attacks, west in the sector of Pindos in the direction of Leskoviki - Samarina - Metsovo and east along the coastal zone, with a parallel occupation of Corfu . The Italian attack was launched earlier than the expiration of the deadline set by the ultimatum, in order to ensure surprise.
Twelve Italian phalanxes began to move aggressively against the Greek light advance units along the entire Albanian front. The first attack took place between 04.30 and 05.00 in the mountainous region of Pindos, by five phalanxes and smaller units of the elite Mountaineer Division, which was fully aware of the terrain and conditions prevailing in the area and had the appropriate organization and training. Its mission was to reach Metsovo and cut off the escape route to the east of the Greek forces of Epirus.
The Greek advanced posts and pre-covering units of the Pindos Detachment were the first to receive enemy fire. However, they were not taken by surprise, they were already prepared for an attack from 25 October and on daily alert from 04.00 in the morning. The weather was rainy and cold and the conditions difficult due to the muddy ground – the next day the first snow fell, which developed into the worst enemy of the troops. The center sub-sector of the Detachment came under the greatest pressure, as the forces attacking it were vastly outnumbered and had heavy artillery and mortar support.
Characteristic are the telephone reports of Lt. Col. Dimitrios Misiris, which Col. Davakis received early in the morning:"Sunday 05.15. Two battalions are attacking the outposts of Loch Vourbianis". "Sunday 8.05". To 613 Unit. I am reporting an attack on prisons since the morning of the 4th. Measures were taken." "Sunday 8.07". 613 Unit. According to Vourbiani, on the 21st and 22nd the outpost resisted, on the 23rd it retreated, on the 24th it was captured. 10.30 a.m. Antistasis Kardari until 9.30. Due to the lack of ammunition and the threat of overflank, they were forced to crash."
In the Epirus sector, seven Italian phalanxes crossed the border at 05.30 in the morning and attacked the Greek outposts with artillery and air support. The Italian artillery fired at the transport hubs and the narrow Hani Delvinaki. In the area of Thesprotia, the Italian forces started from 07.00 to hit the Philiates with heavy artillery and to attack the Greek outposts. The reconnaissance units of the VIII Division, after meeting sufficient resistance, collapsed to their predetermined positions, slowing down the enemy in accordance with the plan of operations and the orders of their command.
In western Macedonia, in the area between Grammos and Megali Prespa, there was no aggressive action in the early hours of the morning. The Italian forces were limited to firing artillery against various points of the Greek defensive location while also maintaining a defensive stance. Simultaneously with the invasion of the ground forces, the Italian air force demonstrated a fierce action both against the troops of the front and against centers of recruitment in the rear, transport hubs, technical works and air bases inside the country.
In Athens, the first planes were heard at 09.20 and shortly afterwards the port of Piraeus and the airport of Tatoi were bombed, but to no avail. At the same time, Italian aircraft bombed Patras, firing from a low altitude, against the crowd that had gathered in the streets and squares, as a result of which 50 people were killed and another 100 injured. which carried out the transport of troops and material to Aetoloakarnania and from there to Epirus.
Information on the progress of operations from the war fronts reached the Army General Staff throughout the day:"At 10:15 an airplane of unknown nationality carried out reconnaissance over Hieropigi and Nestorius" (IX Division). "The 39th police station was heavily bombarded and rushed to the Krystallopigi Resistance Center. On the Pyxos peninsula until the 10th hour volai Pyr/ko. Prisons of Hersonissos maintain positions of" (IV Brigade).
11.45 a.m. The 22nd garrison was captured by superior forces" (Excerpt from Pindos). "Sunday 14.10". A company of Filiaton's Evacuation Battalion under heavy Artillery and Machine Gun fire and after an attack by three enemy phalanxes towards the villages of Kotsika and Liopesi was trapped on the second line..." (VIII Division). "On the 15th, the village of Doliana (10 km east of Hani Delvinakiou) was bombed" (Anti-Aircraft Passive Air Defense Command).
Epirus, Western Macedonia, Pindos
The situation seemed to be developing smoothly in Epirus and western Macedonia. In the sector of Epirus, despite the initial enemy pressure, the collapse of the divisions of the VIII Division took place normally and only in some cases somewhat hastily, in the sector of Elia - Kalamas river. The division's destruction squad blew up the Aoos River bridges as planned, except for the Hani Burazani bridge, which was not destroyed due to its poor detonation.
The Italians, after the unexpected resistance of the Greek advance units, moved hesitantly and did not manage until the evening to occupy with the Ferrara Division the line Kerasovo Heights – Hani Delvinaki – Kokolaki – Meropi Heights – Bourazani Bridge – Kavasila village, and with the Division Siena the village of Agioi Pantes and the heights immediately north of Filiaton.
In western Macedonia, on the front of the IX Division and IV Brigade, the Italian forces maintained a defensive posture. They were limited to artillery fire against various points of the Greek defensive location and to some ventures against the outposts of the pre-capping units. The 2nd and 3rd Army Corps did not develop offensive activity, as foreseen by the instructions of the General Staff. By nightfall, the IX Division and the IV Brigade had almost entirely occupied the IBA location.
On the contrary, in the Pindos Sector, the situation was alarming , because the Greek forces there, having failed to slow down the attackers before the site of resistance, were forced to withdraw from the greater part of it and collapse on a new site to the rear. Especially in the central sub-sector, which was attacked more heavily, the defending Greek units put up a stubborn resistance but were forced, from the afternoon hours, to collapse towards the heights of Patoma, Mouka and Epano Arena, where they installed themselves defensively.
In the right sub-sector, the Italian divisions attacked without artillery and mortar support and by afternoon were pinned down in the main line of resistance. In the left subsector, the attack took place much later, at 17.00, and the Greek units there, despite the strong pressure they received, firmly held their positions.
The Pindos Detachment faced serious problems, as the concentration of its forces had not been completed, its officers lacked experience, it had shortages in supplies and ammunition, while during the day there was also a problem in communication between its divisions. For this reason, his commander, among other things, "ordered the gathering in Morfin of all the means of transport of the villagers of Pindos to transport food and ammunition. In fact, his church was full of all fours, led by elders, women and children, they worked willingly and efficiently, during the day."
Also, in the evening, in order to ensure the connection of the Battalion of the Army of Western Macedonia with the VIII Division, as the Italian forces, moving through difficult routes, had managed to occupy naturally fortified positions, the General Staff placed the I Division at the disposal of the Army Department and some Infantry and Artillery units. At the same time, until the afternoon, the Italian planes bombed the Corinth Canal, the naval base of Preveza, the water supply works in Fasideri of Kifissia, Kinetta in the area of Megara, the area of Istiaea and the bridge of Simos in Zitsa.
The events of the day are summarized in the terse second war announcement, issued by the General Headquarters in the evening:"During the day Italian forces of varying strength followed the attacking forces of the day defending steadily. If he was found in the border. Despite the enemy Air Force, military targets were hit without damage. Bombay is being thrown at the city of Patras, they had victims from the civilian population".
SOURCE:GES