Axis occupation of Greece

The occupation of Greece by the Axis powers (Greek: Η Κατοχή, romanized: I Katochi) began in April 1941 after the German invasion of Greece to assist its ally, Italy, in the Greco-Italian War which had begun in October 1940. Following the Battle of Crete, Greece was occupied starting in June 1941. The occupation of the mainland lasted until Germany and its ally Bulgaria withdrew under Allied pressure in early October 1944, with Crete and some other Aegean Islands being surrendered to the Allies by German garrisons in May and June 1945, after the end of the Second World War in Europe.

Overview

Fascist Italy had declared war and invaded Greece in October 1940, but had been pushed back by the Hellenic Army into neighbouring Albania, an Italian protectorate. While most of the Hellenic Army was located on the Albanian front against Italian counter-attacks, a rapid German campaign took place from April to June 1941, resulting in Greece being defeated and occupied. The Greek government went into exile, and an Axis collaborationist government was established in its place. Greece's territory was divided into occupation zones run by the Axis powers, with the Nazi Germans administering the most important regions of the country, including Athens, Thessaloniki and strategic Aegean Islands. Other regions of the country were run by Nazi Germany's partners, Italy and Bulgaria.

The occupation destroyed the Greek economy and brought immense hardships to the Greek civilian population. Most of Greece's economic capacity was destroyed, including 80% of industry, 28% of infrastructure (ports, roads and railways), 90% of its bridges, and 25% of its forests and other natural resources.