Battle of Elaia–Kalamas
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Elaia–Kalamas took place in Epirus
on November 2–8, 1940. The battle was fought between the Greeks
and the Italians
during the initial stage of the Greco-Italian War
. The Italian Army
, deployed on the Greek-Albanian border, launched a major offensive against Greece on October 28, 1940. The main thrust of the Italian invasion occurred in the Epirus sector, with a further flanking move through the Pindus mountains. In Epirus, the Greeks held the Elaia–Kalamas river line, but the Greek units were outnumbered and their General Staff was pessimistic as to the outcome of the fight. Nevertheless, the local Greek forces, under Major General Charalambos Katsimitros
, managed to successfully stop the Italian advance. Along with the Italian failure in the Battle of Pindus
, these Greek successes signified the complete failure of the Italian invasion, leading to the dismissal of the Italian commander in Albania, Sebastiano Visconti Prasca
, on November 9. In the next few weeks the Greek forces managed to initiate a full-scale counteroffensive which forced the Italians to retreat deep into Albanian territory.
in 1939, the Greek General Staff became alerted to a potential Italian attack from Albanian territory. Faced with the strong likelihood of a concerted Italian-Bulgarian attack against both Epirus and Macedonia
-Thrace
, the main Greek contingency plan, codenamed "IB" (for "Italy-Bulgaria"), essentially prescribed a defensive stance in Epirus. Two versions of the plan existed: the first suggested forward defence on the border line, while the second dictated initial defense in an intermediate position prior to a gradual retreat to the Arachthos River
-Metsovo
-Aliakmon River-Mt. Vermio line, leaving most of Epirus in Italian hands. It was left to the judgment of the local commander of the 8th Infantry Division, based in Ioannina
, Charalambos Katsimitros, to choose which plan to follow. A significant factor in the Greeks' favor was that they had managed to obtain intelligence about the approximate date of the attack, and had just completed a limited mobilization in the areas facing the expected Italian plans.
to repulse an Italian attack against a position which was difficult to defend. In general the defensive line near the Greek-Albanian border could only be thinly manned before the general mobilization could offer the necessary reinforcements, and thus was expected to fight the enemy forces only in order to delay their advance.
The commander of the only Greek Division (VIII) in the area, General Ch. Katsimitros contrary to the Greek HQ directives, having realized the strategic value of the area, in where the Italian superiority in men and armour had limited value due to the mountainous and marshiness of the ground, concentrated the main forces of his Division there, with the intention to give an all out battle in that position. The Greek HQ under General Alexander Papagos
had reluctantly approved Katsimitros plan after sending as a new chief of staff in the Division the Brigadier Drakos, who after careful studying of the area also agreed with the Division's original plans.
The Italian forces initiated their offensive on the morning of October 28. The Italian "Ciamuria" Corps, spearheaded by the 51st Siena
and 23rd Ferrara
Infantry Divisions, as well as by the 131st Centauro Armoured Division
, attacked towards Kalpaki (Elaia), while on its right it was supported by a small brigade-sized "Littoral Group" of ca. 5,000 men.
According to the plans the Greek screening units started a slow retreat towards the main defensive line of Elaia-Kalamas, ca. 30 km (19 mi) southwards of the Greek-Albanian border, north of Ioannina. On November 2, the Greek forces were positioned according to the defensive plan in the line: Kalamas-Elaia-Grabala-Kleftis hill. On this day, after repeated air and artillery strikes, the Italian infantry of the Ferrara Division, attacked unsuccessfully in order to advance the bulk of their forces closer to Elaia sector.
The Italians faced difficulties because of the harshness of the terrain. The next day the light L3/35
tankette
s and medium M13/40
tanks were unable to cope with the hilly terrain and the muddy ground. The Greek defensive line could not be breached. On its right the Littoral Group managed a slow advance along the coast and was able to secure a bridgehead over the Kalamas River on November 5. However due to harsh weather conditions, poor leadership and the presence of minefields, the Italians lost many men.
On November 8, the fruitless Italian offensive was suspended. Moreover, due to the complete failure of the Italian operations, commander Sebastiano Visconti Prasca
was relieved of his command after only two weeks, and substituted by General Ubaldo Soddu
.
, the Greek forces were able to push back the Italians, advancing into southern Albania. Before the German
intervention (April 1941), the Greeks penetrated 30 to 80 kilometres (18 to 49 miles) deep into Albanian territory.
Epirus (region)
Epirus is a geographical and historical region in southeastern Europe, shared between Greece and Albania. It lies between the Pindus Mountains and the Ionian Sea, stretching from the Bay of Vlorë in the north to the Ambracian Gulf in the south...
on November 2–8, 1940. The battle was fought between the Greeks
Kingdom of Greece
The Kingdom of Greece was a state established in 1832 in the Convention of London by the Great Powers...
and the Italians
Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)
The Kingdom of Italy was a state forged in 1861 by the unification of Italy under the influence of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which was its legal predecessor state...
during the initial stage of the Greco-Italian War
Greco-Italian War
The Greco-Italian War was a conflict between Italy and Greece which lasted from 28 October 1940 to 23 April 1941. It marked the beginning of the Balkans Campaign of World War II...
. The Italian Army
Royal Italian Army (1940–1946)
This article is about the Italian Royal Army which participated in World War II.The Italian Royal Army was reformed in 1861 and lasted until 1946. The Royal Army started with the unification of Italy and the formation of the Kingdom of Italy . It ended with the dissolution of the monarchy...
, deployed on the Greek-Albanian border, launched a major offensive against Greece on October 28, 1940. The main thrust of the Italian invasion occurred in the Epirus sector, with a further flanking move through the Pindus mountains. In Epirus, the Greeks held the Elaia–Kalamas river line, but the Greek units were outnumbered and their General Staff was pessimistic as to the outcome of the fight. Nevertheless, the local Greek forces, under Major General Charalambos Katsimitros
Charalambos Katsimitros
Charalambos Katsimitros was a Greek general who distinguished himself during the Italian invasion of Greece.-Early life and career:He entered the Army in 1904. He participated in the Balkan Wars as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1913 and fought in the Macedonian Front with the rank of Captain, in 1917-1918,...
, managed to successfully stop the Italian advance. Along with the Italian failure in the Battle of Pindus
Battle of Pindus
The Battle of Pindus took place in the Pindus Mountains in Epirus and West Macedonia, Greece, in the autumn of 1940, between October 28 – November 13. The battle was fought between the Greek and the Italian armies during the first stages of the Greco-Italian War...
, these Greek successes signified the complete failure of the Italian invasion, leading to the dismissal of the Italian commander in Albania, Sebastiano Visconti Prasca
Sebastiano Visconti Prasca
Sebastiano Visconti Prasca was an Italian military officer. He led the initial offensive of the Greco-Italian War, but was relieved of his command after two weeks for incompetence and substituted by General Ubaldo Soddu. Sebastiano Visconti Prasca was a member of the noble family of the House of...
, on November 9. In the next few weeks the Greek forces managed to initiate a full-scale counteroffensive which forced the Italians to retreat deep into Albanian territory.
Background
After the Italian invasion of AlbaniaItalian invasion of Albania
The Italian invasion of Albania was a brief military campaign by the Kingdom of Italy against the Albanian Kingdom. The conflict was a result of the imperialist policies of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini...
in 1939, the Greek General Staff became alerted to a potential Italian attack from Albanian territory. Faced with the strong likelihood of a concerted Italian-Bulgarian attack against both Epirus and Macedonia
Macedonia (Greece)
Macedonia is a geographical and historical region of Greece in Southern Europe. Macedonia is the largest and second most populous Greek region...
-Thrace
Western Thrace
Western Thrace or simply Thrace is a geographic and historical region of Greece, located between the Nestos and Evros rivers in the northeast of the country. Together with the regions of Macedonia and Epirus, it is often referred to informally as northern Greece...
, the main Greek contingency plan, codenamed "IB" (for "Italy-Bulgaria"), essentially prescribed a defensive stance in Epirus. Two versions of the plan existed: the first suggested forward defence on the border line, while the second dictated initial defense in an intermediate position prior to a gradual retreat to the Arachthos River
Arachthos River
The Arachthos is a river in eastern Epirus in Greece that flows from the Pindus mountains and begins in the area southeast of Metsovo in the Ioannina Prefecture near the Trikala Prefecture and flows by numerous village including Elliniko...
-Metsovo
Metsovo
Metsovo is a town in Epirus on the mountains of Pindus in northern Greece, between Ioannina to the north and Meteora to the south. The largest centre of Vlach life in Greece, Metsovo is bypassed by GR-6 and also by Egnatia Odos Motorway....
-Aliakmon River-Mt. Vermio line, leaving most of Epirus in Italian hands. It was left to the judgment of the local commander of the 8th Infantry Division, based in Ioannina
Ioannina
Ioannina , often called Jannena within Greece, is the largest city of Epirus, north-western Greece, with a population of 70,203 . It lies at an elevation of approximately 500 meters above sea level, on the western shore of lake Pamvotis . It is located within the Ioannina municipality, and is the...
, Charalambos Katsimitros, to choose which plan to follow. A significant factor in the Greeks' favor was that they had managed to obtain intelligence about the approximate date of the attack, and had just completed a limited mobilization in the areas facing the expected Italian plans.
Battle
The attitude of the Greek High Command during the first days of the conflict was pessimistic about the ability of the Greek ArmyHellenic Army
The Hellenic Army , formed in 1828, is the land force of Greece.The motto of the Hellenic Army is , "Freedom Stems from Valor", from Thucydides's History of the Peloponnesian War...
to repulse an Italian attack against a position which was difficult to defend. In general the defensive line near the Greek-Albanian border could only be thinly manned before the general mobilization could offer the necessary reinforcements, and thus was expected to fight the enemy forces only in order to delay their advance.
The commander of the only Greek Division (VIII) in the area, General Ch. Katsimitros contrary to the Greek HQ directives, having realized the strategic value of the area, in where the Italian superiority in men and armour had limited value due to the mountainous and marshiness of the ground, concentrated the main forces of his Division there, with the intention to give an all out battle in that position. The Greek HQ under General Alexander Papagos
Alexander Papagos
Field Marshal Alexander Papagos , was a Greek General who led the Greek Army in the Greco-Italian War and the later stages of the Greek Civil War and became the country's Prime Minister...
had reluctantly approved Katsimitros plan after sending as a new chief of staff in the Division the Brigadier Drakos, who after careful studying of the area also agreed with the Division's original plans.
The Italian forces initiated their offensive on the morning of October 28. The Italian "Ciamuria" Corps, spearheaded by the 51st Siena
51 Infantry Division Siena
The 51 Infantry Division Siena was a regular Infantry Division of the Italian Army during World War II. The Siena Division was fully mobilized in August 1940, for service in the occupation of Albania in the following September. It took part in the Greco-Italian War as part of the Italian VIII...
and 23rd Ferrara
23 Infantry Division Ferrara
The 23 Infantry Division Ferrara was a Infantry Division of the Italian Army during World War II. The Ferrara was mobilized for war in June 1939 and took part in the invasions of Albania and the Greco-Italian War with the Italian 11th Army, XXV Corps. It was then stationed in Albania and...
Infantry Divisions, as well as by the 131st Centauro Armoured Division
131 Armoured Division Centauro
The 131st Armoured Division Centauro was an armoured division of the Italian Army during World War II. It was formed in February 1939, by upgrading the 1st Armoured Brigade . It took part in operations in Albania, Greece and Yugoslavia before returning to Italy...
, attacked towards Kalpaki (Elaia), while on its right it was supported by a small brigade-sized "Littoral Group" of ca. 5,000 men.
According to the plans the Greek screening units started a slow retreat towards the main defensive line of Elaia-Kalamas, ca. 30 km (19 mi) southwards of the Greek-Albanian border, north of Ioannina. On November 2, the Greek forces were positioned according to the defensive plan in the line: Kalamas-Elaia-Grabala-Kleftis hill. On this day, after repeated air and artillery strikes, the Italian infantry of the Ferrara Division, attacked unsuccessfully in order to advance the bulk of their forces closer to Elaia sector.
The Italians faced difficulties because of the harshness of the terrain. The next day the light L3/35
L3/35
The L3/35 or Carro Veloce CV-35 was an Italian tank used before and during World War II. Although designated a light tank by the Italian Army, its turretless configuration, weight and firepower make it closer to contemporary tankettes....
tankette
Tankette
A tankette is a tracked combat vehicle resembling a small tank roughly the size of a car, mainly intended for light infantry support or reconnaissance. Colloquially it may also simply mean a "small tank"....
s and medium M13/40
Fiat M13/40
The Fiat-Ansaldo M13/40 was an Italian medium tank , designed to replace the Fiat L3, the Fiat L6/40 and the Fiat M11/39 in the Italian Army at the start of World War II...
tanks were unable to cope with the hilly terrain and the muddy ground. The Greek defensive line could not be breached. On its right the Littoral Group managed a slow advance along the coast and was able to secure a bridgehead over the Kalamas River on November 5. However due to harsh weather conditions, poor leadership and the presence of minefields, the Italians lost many men.
On November 8, the fruitless Italian offensive was suspended. Moreover, due to the complete failure of the Italian operations, commander Sebastiano Visconti Prasca
Sebastiano Visconti Prasca
Sebastiano Visconti Prasca was an Italian military officer. He led the initial offensive of the Greco-Italian War, but was relieved of his command after two weeks for incompetence and substituted by General Ubaldo Soddu. Sebastiano Visconti Prasca was a member of the noble family of the House of...
was relieved of his command after only two weeks, and substituted by General Ubaldo Soddu
Ubaldo Soddu
Ubaldo Soddu was an Italian military officer, who commanded the Italian Forces in the Greco-Italian War for a month.Soddu was born in Salerno. During the period of 1939-1940, Soddu was under-secretary at the Ministry of War...
.
Aftermath
After the successful Greek defense in Elea-Kalamas as well as in the mountains of PindusBattle of Pindus
The Battle of Pindus took place in the Pindus Mountains in Epirus and West Macedonia, Greece, in the autumn of 1940, between October 28 – November 13. The battle was fought between the Greek and the Italian armies during the first stages of the Greco-Italian War...
, the Greek forces were able to push back the Italians, advancing into southern Albania. Before the German
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
intervention (April 1941), the Greeks penetrated 30 to 80 kilometres (18 to 49 miles) deep into Albanian territory.