military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) (10/29/90)
From: military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) Monday, 28 October, 1940 Italian forces invade Greece from Albania. Three main attacks are launched: along the Adriatic Coast, through the Pindus Mountains, and in Macedonia. Some 11 divisions, supported by 370 aircraft and naval forces, are used in the assault. Bad weather, however, keeps most of the aircraft grounded (though one raid strikes Patras, killing 100) and hinders the advance of ground troops. In defense, the Greeks have only 4 divisions (with more troops in the process of mobilization), 126 aircraft, and a small and outdated navy. General Papagos is the Greek Commander in Chief, and begins a delaying campaign in the rugged frontier zones. Britain promises assistance to Greece, and Hitler offers German aid to Italy. The liner Empress of Britain, under tow after having been crippled by German patrol bombers, is torpedoed and sunk by the U-32. Meanwhile, a bomb is discovered aboard the US Army transport Republic while the ship is en route to Panama with 2550 soldiers and civilians aboard. The bomb is thrown overboard before its timer expires. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Bill Thacker military@att.att.com Send submissions for "50 Years Ago" to military-request@att.att.com "We are with you in this struggle -- your cause is our couse -- we shall be fighting against a common foe." - King George VI of Britain in a message to King George II of Greece