Metaxas Line
메탁사스 방어선
The Metaxas Line was a chain of underground and surface fortifications built along the Greco-Bulgarian border against the possibility of a Bulgarian invasion after Bulgaria's rearmament. Construction began in 1936, and by the outbreak of the Second World War the completed works covered 155 kilometres in 21 fortification complexes. In April 1941, its garrisons resisted German attacks for three days, but German forces outflanked the line through Yugoslavia.
In depth
Construction and design
Plans were drawn up in 1935 and work began at Kerkini in 1936. The line centred on tunnels leading to observatories, gun emplacements and machine-gun nests; the largest complex, Fort Roupel, covered 6.1 kilometres of the 155-kilometre line. The war prevented the planned extension to Ormenion from being completed.
The 1941 battle
German forces attacked on 6 April 1941. The line was thinly manned because most of the Greek Army was fighting Italy on the Albanian front. The defenders delayed the frontal assault, but the German 2nd Panzer Division crossed from Yugoslavia and captured Thessaloniki, compelling the surrender of the Greek East Macedonia Army Section on 10 April.
Sources
- Wikipedia (EN) (supports the fortification line's purpose, construction from 1936, 21 complexes and 155-kilometre extent, and the April 1941 fighting and German outflanking through Yugoslavia)
- metaxas-project.com (independent historical overview supporting the line's construction, fortification structure, dimensions, and 1941 battle chronology)