Axis occupation of Greece during World War II

The Axis occupation of Greece during World War II (, I Katochi, meaning "The Occupation") began in April 1941 after the German and Italian invasion of Greece. The occupation lasted until the German withdrawal from the mainland in October 1944. In some cases however, such as in Crete and other islands, German garrisons remained in control until May and June 1945.

Fascist Italy had initially invaded Greece in October 1940 but was defeated, and the Greek Army pushed the invaders back into neighbouring Albania. This forced Germany to shift its military focus from the preparation of "Operation Barbarossa" to an intervention on its ally's behalf in southern Europe. A rapid German Blitzkrieg campaign followed in April 1941, and by the middle of May, Greece was occupied by the Nazis who proceeded to administer the most important regions themselves, including Athens and Thessaloniki. Other regions of the country were given to Germany's lesser partners, Fascist Italy and Bulgaria. A collaborationist Greek government was established immediately after the country fell.

The occupation brought about terrible hardships for the Greek civilian population. Over 300,000 civilians died in Athens alone from starvation, tens of thousands more through reprisals by Nazis and collaborators, and the country's economy was ruined. At the same time the Greek Resistance, one of the most effective...
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