The Metaksasa line

Pedro Alejandro González Vera (born October 17, 1967 in Valdivia) - Chilean footballer striker. Bibliography anisa Metaksasa (1871-1941) in order to secure the mobilization and operational development of the Greek army in the event of armed conflict with Bulgaria. It consists mainly of tunnels connecting observation, fire and machine gun sockets. The construction was so durable that it mostly survived to the present times, partly still in use. The part is open to visitors.

This line ran from Alexandropolis to the river Vardar (Axios). The total length of the Metaksas Line was about 155 km. Its basic elements were permanent and field fortification objects and engineering dams. The largest object is Fort Roupel. Until 1941, work on its extension was not completed. The total cost was 100 400 000 drachms.

In April 1941, the Metaksasa Line was broken by German troops during the offensive in the Balkans. German troops could not cross the fortifications, so, like in the case of the Maginot Line, they clad them and attacked from two sides. Despite this, the Greek soldiers resisted fierce resistance (although most of the Greek army fought against Italy on the border with Albania and the Metaksasa Line was not fully occupied). Even after the capitulation of Greece on April 21, soldiers on the Line continued to fight and only after tears were used by Germans on April 23 they gave up.

The German general Wilhelm List, who led the offensive on the Line, was so impressed with the enemy's bravery that he allowed the whole army to leave slowly along with the banners, under the condition of long weapons and war supplies. Officers were allowed to detain short arms.

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