Three years after the occupation of Crete (the last Greek territory) and the decision of the King and the Greek government to continue the struggle on the side of the allied forces in the Middle East, the Greek Army formed a new mountain brigade, composed of selected officers and soldiers of the units that had been disbanded, as well as soldiers who had not been involved in the mutinous movement of April 6, 1944.

The III Hellenic Mountain Brigade (III EOT), as it was called, was formed in Lebanon on June 9, 1944, commanded by Colonel Thrasyvoulos Tsakalotos in order to be transferred to Italy, on the side of the allied forces. Allied operations aimed to break through the “Gothic Line” and capture the city of Rimini, which was considered a strategic point due to its geographical location and transport routes.

The attack on Rimini was undertaken by the 1st Canadian Division under the III EOT. The Brigade was ordered with its three battalions to launch a night attack to capture the city. Despite German resistance, the Greek units occupied the airport of Rimini and on 19 September headed with the Canadian units towards the city. After the neutralization of all local German resistance, a three-member committee of the anti-fascist party unconditionally surrendered the city to the Greek divisions, signing an official protocol on September 21.

The “Rimini Brigade” wrote new pages of history for Greece, placing it in the camp of the winners. This success was linked to hope and the creation of conditions for the liberation of the homeland from the Occupation.

Source: GES

Also read: October 28, 1940 | The war plans of Greece and Italy in Pindos