Today is Oxi (No) Day where we mythologize Metaxas saying NO to Mussolini's demands that Greece capitulates and becomes an Italian vassal.
Not only were the Italians thrown back into Albania from where they invaded, but the course of World War 2 changed because of Greek heroes.
Not only were the Italians thrown back into Albania from where they invaded, but the course of World War 2 changed because of Greek heroes.
My grandfather Nikos Papathanasiou from Skoteini village in Argolis was 16 years old when the Italians attempted to invade Greece.
He stole his brothers ID card to show he was of legal fighting age.
During the war and resistance period, he was shot 4x on 3 different occasions.
He stole his brothers ID card to show he was of legal fighting age.
During the war and resistance period, he was shot 4x on 3 different occasions.
On reflecting how the Greeks fought against the Italian invasion attempt in World War II, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill said "Hence, we will not say that Greeks fight like heroes, but that heroes fight like Greeks."
"When the entire World had lost all hope, the Greek people dared to question the invincibility of the German monster raising against it the proud spirit of freedom." - Franklin Roosevelt.
"We thank the Greek people, whose resistance decided World War II. You fought unarmed and won, small against big. You gave us time to defend ourselves." - Joseph Stalin.
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