Battle of Trebeshina facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Trebeshina
Part of the Greco-Italian War
Greek Offensive 1940–1941 in Northern Epirus
Date 29 January – 17 February 1941 (2 weeks and 5 days) Location Mount Trebeshinë, Albania 40°20′32″N 20°06′19″E / 40.34222°N 20.10528°E / 40.34222; 20.10528 Result Greek victory
Belligerents
Greece	Italy
Commanders and leaders
Dimitrios Papadopoulos	Carlo Rossi
Strength
6th Infantry Regiment 5th Airmobile Brigade	unknown
Casualties and losses
• 547 killed • 321 missing • At least 14,000 sustained Injuries • • 123 killed (Greek Claim) • 68 Injured • 91 missing • • 45 killed • 68 Injured due to artillery • • 15 killed in combat • 12 killed by disease • 8 Injured

The Battle of Trebeshina was an important fight during the Greco-Italian War. It happened in south-eastern Albania. For about twenty days, the Greek and Italian armies battled over the Trebeshinë mountain range. This area was very important because it had high points like Mount Trebeshinë (also called Height 1923).

What Caused the Battle?

Before this battle, the Greek army had captured a very important mountain pass called Klisura Pass on January 10. This pass was a key route through the mountains.

The Italian army wanted to take back the Trebeshinë mountain range. They sent many soldiers, including four regular divisions and one "Blackshirt" division. These forces were led by General Carlo Rossi. They launched counter-attacks against the Greek forces.

The Fight for Trebeshinë

On January 27, 1941, a Greek battalion (a group of soldiers) led by Major Ioannis Baldoumis captured Height 1923 on Mount Trebeshinë. They set up their defenses in deep snow. Another Greek battalion, led by Major Antonios Goulas, captured Height 1620.

However, heavy snow and strong blizzards made it very difficult. The Greek soldiers had to leave Trebeshinë. Italian Blackshirt battalions then moved in and took over the area.

Greek Counter-Attack

The Greek army quickly got more soldiers, including the 5th Division from Crete. By January 29, they pushed back the Italian attack. Then, they started their own attack towards the Trebeshinë mountains.

The fighting was very tough. On February 2, the Cretan Division managed to capture Trebeshinë. The 15th Division also captured the village of Bubeshi.

On February 14, 1941, the Greek 6th Infantry Regiment, led by Colonel Ioannis Theodorou, stopped an Italian attack. This attack was near Height 504 and aimed to break the Greek defenses near the Albanian port city of Vlorë. The Greeks had 109 soldiers killed or wounded in this fight.

The Outcome

By February 17, the Greek army had captured the mountain ranges. It was a victory, but it came at a high cost. The Cretan Division, for example, suffered many casualties. They had 5,776 soldiers killed, wounded, or missing. This meant the division was no longer able to fight effectively.

The Greek positions at Trebeshinë were later attacked again in early March. This was part of a big Italian attack called Operazione Primavera (Operation Spring). However, the Greek soldiers held their ground. They only retreated south after the German invasion of Greece began on April 6.