Battle of Meritsa
The Battle of Meritsa (Greek: Μάχη της Μερίτσας) or Battle of Oxyneia (Μάχη της Οξύνειας) was fought on 11–12 February 1943 between some 800 men of the Greek People's Liberation Army (ELAS), under Nestoras Vokas (nom de guerre "Tzavellas"), Nikos Zaralis ("Chasiotis"), and Ilias Kafantaris ("Adamantios") against a Royal Italian Army battalion. It was fought at the village of Meritsa (modern ) near Kalambaka. In the battle, 137 Italians were killed, and 160 were taken prisoner, along with their entire equipment, including 4 mortars, 20 automatic weapons, and over 2,000 grenades. The partisans released their prisoners, but kept the equipment.[1][2][3]
References[]
- ^ Αρχεία Εθνικής Αντίστασης, 1941-1944, p. 331.
- ^ Eudes 1973, pp. 43–44.
- ^ Mazower 1993, p. 135.
Sources[]
- Eudes, Dominique (1973). The Kapetanios: Partisans and Civil War in Greece, 1943-1949. Translated by John Howe. New York and London: Monthly Review Press. ISBN 978-0-85345-275-1.
- Hellenic Army History Directorate (1998). Αρχεία Εθνικής Αντίστασης, 1941-1944 [National Resistance Archives, 1941-1944]. Athens: Hellenic Army History Directorate. ISBN 978-9607897060.
- Mazower, Mark (1993). Inside Hitler's Greece: The Experience of Occupation, 1941–44. New Haven and London: Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-06552-3.
Categories:
- Conflicts in 1943
- Battles and operations involving the Greek People's Liberation Army
- Thessaly in World War II
- Battles and operations of World War II involving Italy
- February 1943 events
- 1943 in Greece
- Italian occupation of Greece during World War II