Kefalonia in WW2

The occupation of Greek island Kefalonia during WW2:

- In 1864, Kefalonia had become independent.
- Only to be dominated by Germany and Italy during WW2.
In World War II, the island was occupied by the Axis powers. Until late in 1943, the occupying forces were mostly Italian - the 33 Infantry Division Acqui plus Navy personnel totaled 12,000 men. Germany was also present by contributing a troop of 2,000 Nazi soldiers. The island was not involved in combat until the Allies had stopped Italy with an Armistice in September 1943. Confusion followed on the island, as the Italians were returning home, German forces rebelled against the idea as they didn’t want the Italians to leave still in possession of munitions, which could potentailly be used against them. The Italian forces were hesitant to turn over weapons for the same reason, as German reinforcements were sent to the island to enforce their strength, the Italians dug in and, eventually, after a referendum among the soldiers as to surrender or battle, they fought against the new German invasion. The fighting came to a head at the siege of Argostoli, where the Italians held out. Ultimately the German forces prevailed, taking full control of the island, and five thousand of the nine thousand surviving Italian soldiers were executed as a reprisal by German forces. While the war ended in central Europe in 1945, Kefalonia remained in a state of conflict due to the Greek Civil War. Peace returned to Greece and the island in 1949. Throughout the period of WW2, Kefalonia had been used as naval and troop basis while the Great Powers in Europe fought, for a small island, Kefalonia had suffered greatly and therefore peace was greatly celebrated in the year of 1949, four years after the ‘end’ of the Great WW.

Reference:
- http://kefalonia.foi.org.uk/history.php
- http://www.in2greece.com/english/places/summer/islands/cephalonia.htm