The day we said OHI = NO to fascism...

The scene is in Europe, in Rome, Italy during the autumn of 1940. The dictator, Benito Mussolini, is feeling melancholic and inadequate. The reasons for his frustrations are that his ally, Adolf Hitler and the Germans, have been conquering the nations of Europe: Czechoslovakia, Poland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Romania, and Austria. Their combined population was close to 140 million. Mighty France, a nation of 43 million, had collapsed and surrendered after only 17 days of fighting in an agonizing and humiliating defeat.

Mussolini was being confronted with faits accomplis, as Hitler would inform him that the Germans had conquered a country three days after the fact. Mussolini decided to show Hitler that the Italians also could conquer Europe, and have Hitler "learn of the conquest from the newspapers."

Mussolini's choice for this mighty show of Italian strength was Greece, a small country of seven million people versus Italy's 44 million. The disparity in their armed forces was even greater: Italy had close to ten times the firepower of Greece in its army and navy. Italy's large air force had total air superiority since Greece had a very small defensive air force.

Now that the choice was set, the invasion route was selected: the Albanian-Greek border. All that remained would be to deliver an ultimatum to Greece. The insulting ultimatum demanded that Greece allow Italian troops to occupy the country (i.e., surrender) or Italy would declare war and invade Greece. Mussolini had given the Greek Prime Minister Metaxas three hours to reply. After reading the demands in the early morning hours of the 28th of October 1940, he rejected the ultimatum and replied with a single Hellenic word: "OXI!" (pronounced Ohee, meaning "NO!"). It has become a Hellenic battle cry that blooms defiantly every 28th of October on walls throughout Greece and Cyprus, and in the thousands of Hellenic communities in almost every country around the world. These Hellenic communities today number more than ten million Hellenes (Greeks) outside Greece.

Mussolini never waited for Metaxas' reply. Before the ultimatum had expired, five heavily armed divisions of Italian soldiers began moving from Italian-controlled Albania over the border into Greece. Expectations of an easy Italian victory soon evaporated. The quick march to Athens for an Italian victory parade never materialized. After a 25-kilometer advance inside Greece, the 200,000 Italian troops were halted for days by a ragged army of Greek soldiers in mismatched uniforms and shepherd's clothes.

Though Italians outnumbered them more than two to one, the Greeks astonished the Italian generals with their courage, their tenacity, and their limited artillery's precision. The Greek forces had six mortars for each division against the invader's sixty. All Greeks helped in any way they could. The courageous women of Greece supplied clothing, food, and support to the defense of their country in very difficult winter conditions. Sometimes, large groups of women would stand arm-in-arm for hours in icy rivers and streams to slow the waters enough to permit the movement of equipment and supplies to the front.

Within four weeks of the invasion, those undermanned, under-supplied, and underfed Greeks drove the Italian army back into Albania and kept on going, continuing the pursuit into Albania. By this time, Mussolini had replaced the commanding general several times, and finally assumed command of the military campaign himself. He tried to rouse his troops to victory with speeches reminding them of the great legacy of their predecessors, the ancient Romans, but without success.

The Greeks pursued the Italians more than 60 kilometers into Albania, and by December of 1940, the Greek army had liberated the southern third of Albania, better known as Northern Epirus. A Greek populated area since ancient times There was even serious concern by the Italians that the Greek armed forces would cross the Adriatic Sea and invade Italy itself. By the end of the five-month campaign, in March 1941, the Greeks had dealt the Italian armed forces some unexpected numbers: 12,500 Italians returned home badly mutilated by the fighting; 13,800 were buried in the frozen soil of Greece; 25,000 were missing in action; and 40,000 were POWs held by the Greek Army.

We should remember that the USA was still neutral, and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was a year away. The USA was not involved in any fighting then, but all the major USA newspapers and periodicals such as LIFE and TIME carried cover stories about the Greeks and the history that they were making. In the USA, Greeks and Greek-Americans of all ages were showered with admiration at school and work in response to the historic events.

The entire Western world, discouraged and fearful of the Axis powers and the growing ugly war, took hope from this incredible victory. It was a double first: the first defeat of the Axis powers and the first liberation of territory captured by the Axis powers. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill said of the Greeks: "Today we say that Greeks fight like heroes, from now on we will say that heroes fight like Greeks." However, there was history still to be made by the Greeks.

The Greeks outraged Hitler and the Germans. A small military power like Greece had succeeded in defeating their ally, Italy. The Germans invaded Greece in April of 1941, and after nearly two months of fierce fighting, overwhelmed the defiant Greeks but never fully defeated them as the Greeks had one of the most dynamic and relentless resistance movements. The Greek army included disabled soldiers from the Albanian campaign against the Italians, ordinary citizens, teenagers, and the elderly. On the Greek island of Crete there were few regular Greek army soldiers, since they were on the Greek mainland still fighting the Germans, but the ordinary Greek citizens were there: elderly peasant men and women with hunting guns, butcher knives, and agricultural tools slitting the throats of German paratroopers as they landed. About 10,000 German soldiers, young men in their prime, died trying to invade Crete.

Even Greek prison convicts demanded and were released from jail so that they could fight. The Greek freedom fighters took the lives of many German troops and destroyed much German equipment. The Germans were forced to divert 50 battalions to Greece, though they desperately needed them on the Eastern front.

The six months of fighting caused by the Greek resistance of the Axis powers also delayed Germany's invasion and campaign against what is today the Commonwealth of Independent States (the former Soviet Union). The fierce resistance of the Greeks in Epiros, Macedonia, Thessalia, Roumeli, Attiki, Peloponnesos, Crete, and the rest of Greece to the Germans caused delays. It overturned German plans to occupy Moscow before the onset of the heavy and deadly Russian winter.

This was something the Germans had not planned and thus were unprepared. The German war machine literally bogged down and froze. The Russians were successful in repulsing and defeating the Germans. This was a major turning point of World War 2. This signalled the beginning of the end of the German Third Reich. The sacrifice and success of the Greek armed forces, the Greek guerrillas, and the ordinary, anonymous Greek citizens drew the admiration of the free world and kindled hope for the final victory of the Allied powers.

We should note that Greek Prime Minister Metaxas was also a military dictator. Yet the Greeks united behind the belief that the defense of their country, which they wished to become more democratic again, was very important. That is another symbolism and irony of the 28th of October 1940, that the Greek people not only fought the fascist Axis powers invading Greece, but also later fought the extremist forces that were trying to rule Greece and not allow it to be a democracy.

The Greeks faithfully met their obligations to their allies, with heroism and self-sacrifice. As a small country, the human sacrifice and mega-devastation Greece suffered in World War 2 were much more than those of the almost all other countries that were on the victorious Allied side. In World War 2, Greece lost one of the highest percentages of its population in comparison to the other members of the victorious Allies. Greece lost, on a percentage basis, about 12% of its population, meaning about one million people.

The world leadership of the time, including Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, recognized the decisive contribution of the Greeks. The timeless character of the modern Greek was shining brightly for all to see: passionate, determined, and proud.

The next time you see or communicate with a Greek, tell them that you remember the 28th of October 1940. Send this article to others who may not know this important day in our planet's history. On that day, Greece, the birthplace of democracy said "NO!" to fascism, and defended its birthright despite overwhelming and unfavorable odds to yet another triumph. On that day, Greece, the ancient cradle of democracy and Western civilization, helped save democracy in its darkest hour. People have brought that birthright of democracy to most of our planet and for that we should all be proud. Interestingly, the 28th of October is also the anniversary of the opening of a symbol patterned after one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Colossus of Rhodes in Greece. This symbol of democracy is the Statue of Liberty on a small island between New Jersey and New York, USA.

This day is an inspiration to all those who cherish democracy and freedom. For when the world was a risk, an ancient and brave people were willing to risk everything. The ancient Greeks invented democracy, and the 21st century Greeks are still defending it. All of those who believe in democracy and freedom want Greece to continue as a vigorous and vibrant democracy into the Third Millennium. Hellenic civilization is in its 10,000th year and is still a major cultural force.

Greek army victory over Italy was the first major victory against the Axis in WW2.

Greek-Italian war photos

Greek army/resistance fighters

http://www.omogenia.com/forums/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=17102&Searchpage=1&Main=17102&Words=+CarelessWhisper&topic=&Search=true

I have steadily noticed the decline in participation and in audience lately of the last few Oxi Day Greek Parades on the Danforth in Toronto and have come to the conclusion that although we fully applaud the March 25th Independence Day celebrations we seem to be becoming more and more ashamed of our Oxi Day celebrations as a whole.

As though you've gained a victory against axis forces.

yes it was a victory, the first one in all of WW2 against the Axis forces. How many victories did Turkish army have in WW2?

Axis forces didn't dare to attack Turkey in WW2. They had made a neutrality agreement with Turkey before the war. What's more they set free Turkish citizen jews and greeks in europe. Greece was located at the furthest point to germany and protected by british army but greece has lost many battles and remained under german rule till allies saved you. Even they were Macedonian-Slavs and Turks who had fought against germans in greece.

Turkey agreed to German terms in war and was afraid to join war. Turkish military like today was too outdated to fight a German attack even Russia only barely survived. Typical coward behavior

Greece had one of the only national resistance movements that survived the entire war and largest per capita of population. Even Germans where only able to occupy some Urban areas because they where losing so many soldiers and had to leave most areas.

yes Macedonians like all Greeks fought to defend their country.

Why should we have joined to war since they didn't attack to our country? Go and read book of Adolf Hitler. He mentions somethink like "Turkish Victory".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Greece

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Crete

I am talking about Macedonian-Slavs, not greek settlers.

Turkey didn't join the war because they already submitted to German demands like in WW1 when Germans generals ruled Ottomans.

how many times have you called wikipedia BS.

during WW2 Bulgarians from Vardar Banovina (FYROM) joined with Axis because Bulgaria joined them.

Germany didn't demand anything from Turkey and they could already not do. They wished to build a world empire but they didn't dare to attack Turkey although Turkey had just 18 million people against 80 million germany.

It was secret-jewish Enver pasha's revolutionist party who allied with germany. If it hadn't been for Ottoman Empire, there couldn't have been a germany now. Sometimes german generals joined with Turkish army in many fronts.

ya ok you just sound ridiculous that they can fight the whole world and not poor outdated Turkey that cant even control peace in its own country for the last 30 years.

Germany demanded and Turkey obeyed for no interference's and economic autonomy such as rout line transport. They offered same deal to Greece but we where not coward nation and wouldn't sell nation out. German generals controlled Ottomans and commanded Ottoman army, Germany was defeated in WW1 and would accept every demand allies wanted how would their be no Germany. allies would not be able to occupy and control 64 million people.

Turkey has never been such a poor country like greece even in 1922. They didn't fight the whole world. They've just occupied france and poland, attacked russia and occupied yugoslavia and greece together with other axis forces. A battle with france or greece is not even considered as a war.

So germans didn't have to come to Turkey for demanding something according to your BH. Europeans had already learned who the Turks were in lots of battles. They surely knew they couldn't have done something to us. But occuping greece is very easy because greek people are coward, sissy and sucker. That's why they became successful in greece with a very few effort.

really you mean poor Turkey today never had a serious crisis since 1922 and is still 50 years behind Greece who had conflicts much after 1922 and revolutions. you forget British Empire was fighting them this includes much of Africa,Australia and many other places. Canada, United States. China was fighting Axis Japan and East Pacific. Axis War went to North Africa and reached as far as Hawaii. Do you know the definition of a war its when two or more countries are fighting. WTH can it be not considered if their was fighting.

British destroyed Ottomans enough in WW1. Greece defeated Ottomans enough from 1821 onwards. so did many others even though Germans where controlling Ottomans. French and British government in Paris peace shattered Ottoman middle east even though France and Britain were near bankrupt by then. Germans knew they could control Turkey without need for army so made no difference to invade because Turkey already submitted to German demands. They offered same deal to Greece but we wouldn't sell out country.

Just ask Italians who had over 500,000 troops and 4 top major generals and unlimited German arms and support and could only move few Kilometers into Greece then lost 1/3 of Albania by Greek army that had only 300,000 army total and only 100,000 actually fighting against Italy. First major victory over Axis even Germans had to delay invasion of Russia by months. German attack was like Americans in Vietnam, Germans had 680,000 soldiers with 1200 tanks this is 1/4 of the force they used to invade all of Russia which is how many times larger then Greece. And if you add Italian 500,000 army its about 1.18 million Axis army together and its even more counting Axis Bulgarian army which total numbers are not known.

Just like Vietnam war they can advance into some territories but they could not control them. The largest national resistance groups per capita in WW2 were Greek. Germans couldn't keep control and resistance operations did so much damage to German army they pulled back to urban and road areas.

German leader said this. "Historical justice obliges me to state that of the enemies who took up positions against us, the Greek soldier particularly fought with the highest courage"

German general Wilhelm Keitel said "wanted to give the Greeks an honorable settlement in recognition of their brave struggle, and of their blamelessness for this war: after all the Italians had started it."

Churchill said, "Hence we will not say that Greeks fight like heroes, but that heroes fight like Greeks

American President Franklin D. Roosevelt stated that "all free peoples are deeply impressed by the courage and steadfastness of the Greek nation"

"Turkey has never been such a poor country like greece even in 1922. They didn't fight the whole world. They've just occupied france and poland, attacked russia and occupied yugoslavia and greece together with other axis forces. A battle with france or greece is not even considered as a war."


Quite laughable Kanuni! Thats why it took Germany longer to invade Greece than it did Poland and France! This with a fully modern French army that was supposed to be one of the strongest in the world!

Did you know that because of the Greeks the Germans never again used their paratroopers?? They lost more than a 3rd of their paratroopers during the invasion of Crete. Out of aroung 8000+ they lost more than 3000!

Greece could not even imagine standards of Turkey 50 years ago and that's why greek president offered a federation between Turkey and greece. Still Turkey is far more advanced than greece now. Don't get me posted photos of both countries. If greece were to face with such a great terror problem like PKK who has an incredibly international support, you would have destroyed now. Greece has been under anglo-saxon control for years, including WW2 period. However, even brits were going to get occupied by germany, if soviets didn't recruit the Turkic people.

It was Turkey who destroyed the Ottoman Empire and Ottoman Empire protected the german navy during the WW1. Aim of germans was occupying the entire europe, not demanding anything.

Greek war of independence: Imperial Russia and Western Powers(Britain, France, Austria, Venice...etc.) decide to create the new greek nation for seperating Ottoman Empire. Provacation and armament of Arnavites(Orthodox Albanians) in Peloponessia by entente powers(1821). Greek(!) defeats, suppression of revolts in the islands and siege of Mesolongion by Ottoman Empire(1822). Founding of the "London Greek Committee"(1823). Founding of the "Comité Philhellénique Français". Successful Turkish counter attacks. George Byron(British) dies while he is defending Mesolongion(1824). Discharge in Peloponessia by Ibrahim Pasha(1825). Turks recapture Athens where is being defended by Colonel Charles Fabvier(French) and his volunteers(1826). Russia assigns Giovanni Capo d'Istria as greek president. Heavy Turkish siege in Acropolis. 180 bombs and 350 cannon balls fall only in a day. [Parthenon was already destroyed by Venetians(Duka Morisini) in 1687] Entente powers force Ottoman Empire for liberation of greece but they are refused. British, French and Russian naval forces ambush the Ottoman Fleet in Navarin with night shade(1827). French campaign in Peloponessia(1828). In February 1830, the three foreign mentors (Russia, England, France) established an ‘independent’ greece at the London Conference. The new state, although it was obliged to pay Istanbul an indemnity, would still rely on the guarantee of the three contracting powers, who had still to define the borders of Greece and elect a monarch. There were no greek representatives at the London Conference and the country's leaders were not consulted about the treaty. Assassination of Giovanni Capo d'Istria by Arnavites(1831). Entente powers insists on greece becoming a bavarian monarchy. Otton I removes his capital to Athens(1832).

Facts from pro-greek web-site:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Greece

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Crete

So why the official name of greece was "puppet state"?

Churchill had to satisfy greece because it was him who deployed the greek army in izmir and failed. British parliament has fallen after greek failure in 1922. Lloyd George said "Churchill is the most stupid men the Britain has ever seen".

Those are typical blandishments said about greeks in the middle of the 20th century. Because they had to cajole their people about NATO membership of greece. It was very easy for USSR to make greece a soviet satellite because greece was both orthodox-atheist and very poor. They had to get greece tied to western system to reduce soviet influence in the mediterranean. Even Britain had made an agreement with USSR about greece's control.

You also know perfectly well greeks have no victories in history. They were we Turks again who saved orthodox people from massacres of crusader europeans.

Turkey's defense budget was 27,6 million TL in 1920. Counting 1TL was 1,5$ in 1920, Turkey's defense budget was $41,4 M and that was such a big amount for 1920.

Nikiliakos:

It took Germany longer to invade Greece than it did Poland and France because greece was located at the furthest front to germany and they had to deal with Yugoslavians first. French people have also no victories in history but they had strong weapons. However, they were believed that germans were going to come from an another way and that's why they only settled their weapons in Maginot line. But germans didn't use that way. If they had clashed with the french army in Maginot line, they could have lost half of their army and equipments.

It was stupidity of germans. Yes, it's difficult to occupy an island strategically. But Turkey gave only 498 lost in the occupation of cyprus. However, most cretans are of Turkish origin. They had just been converted to orthodoxy by greek occupation.

50 years ago Greece was in Economic miracle and when some of largest businesses where created and Greece had one of highest growth rates in the world. Turkey was always very low standard of living even though it had no conflict since 1922. Meanwhile Greece had wars and two revolutions since then and proper political rule didn't happen until Constantine Karamnalis and Andreas Papandrou and still today Greece has much higher standard of living then Turkey. We all know how much lower average Turk lives in comparison to average Greek and not to mention Greece is first world while Turkey is not.

1946-1949 Greece fought against Soviet and Tito Yugoslavia supported FYROMians. PKK has only 5000 forces in Turkey. FYROMians had over 50,000 with the most advanced equipment from USSR and their bases were in Yugoslavia. Greek army was only just reformed and didn't have the equipment they had and defeated them in 3 years.

here we go again another one of your conspiracy theories. Then why Greece declared neutrality in WW1 and WW2. We only joined war when enemies attacked first. As if Turks are known for anything in WW2 besides surrendering to German demands

German navy was in North sea fighting British navy. Britain and France conquered Ottoman middle east and separated it from Turks in Paris peace.

Germany couldn't move its navy out of North sea because of British and French blockade.

Greek revolution was organized by wealthy Greek from abroad and within Greece. The region of Mani in Greece was never invaded by Ottomans and defeated Ottoman army many times it was where entire revolution was planned. It money came from wealthy Greek in Constantinople who where among the richest in the entire empire. It was inspired by many Greek writers and newspapers such as Rigas Feraios who started promoting Greek independence in 1790. Their where many Greek rebellions before 1821 but all where too small, 1821 was first united one. Europeans didn't help in fact they opposed all revolutions in the aftermath of Napoleon, and were preoccupied with revolts in Italy and Spain. After Greek expelled Ottomans from Southern Greece, Ottomans begged Egyptian Khedivate for help. Egypt sent 12,000 troops to save Ottomans but they where defeated by Greeks as well. Like i explains 1000000000 times Greek king was decedent of last Byzantine dynasty. Official name of Greek was Kingdom of Greece.

how do i know you didn't write your own conspiracy theories by pressing edit on wikipedia as anyone can do.

Churchill said that in WW2 that was in 1940's what you are talking about was in 1920's 20 years later. Lloyd George BTW was one of the most admirers of Greek culture during Paris peace thats why Venizelos is considered one of the most influential people of the Paris peace.

German leader and German generals said same thing and Americans and USSR and the world.

NATO was not even idea until after WW2 this was said during WW2.

USSR,Tito Yugoslavia and FYEOMians tried but failed in Greece. They needed Greece because it is most strategic area of Mediterranean and Aegean and controls sea routes. Then why freedom forces outnumbered Communist forces. After WW2 it was birth of most major Greek businesses and economic miracle. Orthodox-Atheist is not even compatible. I guess Turks are Muslim-Pagan under same logic.

Greece is cradle of Western Civilization entire Western begun with Greece. The Western world principles is from Greece. How can you influence something that invented it.

France had 3 million soldiers against 4 million Axis and France is much larger and bigger population. Poland had 950,000 soldiers. Germans when attacked USSR in same time as Greece was already near Moscow much further distance and wider then Greece.

Germans attached Greece from Axis Bulgaria and from Vardar Banovina Yugoslavia which was Bulgarian populated. and Italians attacked from Albania only few Kilometers away from Italy. Axis with over 1.18 million soldiers against 300,000 Greece. Metaxas line held German attack which was only 70,000 soldiers against 680,000 Germans. German occupied France had little resistance meanwhile Germans couldn't control Greece and left most areas like in Vietnam War by having the army in the country but the war really never ending.