Metaxas Line - Revision history

Irlandos at 15:14, September 13, 2007

2007-09-13T15:14:21Z

Irlandos at 08:56, April 10, 2006

2006-04-10T08:56:47Z

Irlandos at 08:56, April 10, 2006

2006-04-10T08:56:20Z

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The '''Metaxas Line''' was a chain of fortifications constructed along the line of the Graeco-Bulgarian border, designed to protect [[Greece]] in case of a Bulgarian invasion during [[World War II]]. It was named after [[Ioannis Metaxas]], the then dictatorial ruler of Greece, and chiefly consists of tunnels that led to observatories, emplacements and machine-gun nests. The constructions are so sturdy that they survive to this day, some of which are still in active service. Some of them are open to the public.

The Metaxas Line fortifications consist of 22 independent clusters, the largest of which is the Roupel Fortress as it covers 6.1 out of the 155 km of the full line and had been constructed at a height of 322 m. Illumination was initially mostly provided by oil-lamps, although generators were also installed. (Currently, the fortifications are supplied with public [[electricity]], but they are also equipped with generators). Ventilation was achieved both naturally and artificially. Water was supplied via water-mains. The fortification works lasted four years and their cost at the time reached 100,400,000 [[drachma|drachmas]].

==History==

Before the outbreak of [[World War II]], the additions made to the Roupel Fortress were considered to be too weak. Thus, it was decided that further fortifications should be constructed, not only in the particular region, but also along the entire northern Greek borderline. The plans were drawn up in [[1935]] and work began at [[Kerkini]] in 1936. The original intention was that the full fortifications' line reach as far along the border as [[Ormenion]]. Greece, however, became involved in [[World War II]] in [[1940]], thus preventing completion. At the war’s outbreak, the fortification line had only reached [[Komotini]], [[Thrace]] and was 155km long.

Like the Maginot Line on the Franco-German border, the Metaxas Line was outflanked by German forces -specifically when the Germans invaded Greece in April 1941 through Yugoslavia. The line was also poorly manned as most of the Greek Army was fighting against the Italians, on the Albanian frontier.

==External links==

*[http://www.wargamer.gr/history/photo_gallery1.htm Photos of the Metaxas Line]
*[http://www.feldgrau.com/greecewar.html About German invasion of Greece]
*[http://www.metaxas-project.com About Ioannis Metaxas, the creator of the Metaxas Line]

===See also===
*[[World War II]]

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 The '''Metaxas Line''' was a chain of fortifications constructed along the line of the Graeco-Bulgarian border, designed to protect [[Greece]] in case of a Bulgarian invasion during [[World War II]].  It was named after [[Ioannis Metaxas]], the then dictatorial ruler of Greece, and chiefly consists of tunnels that led to observatories, emplacements and machine-gun nests.  The constructions are so sturdy that they survive to this day, some of which are still in active service.  Some of them are open to the public.
-The Metaxas Line fortifications consist of 22 independent clusters, the largest of which is the Roupel Fortress as it covers 6.1 out of the 155 km of the full line and had been constructed at a height of 322 m.  Illumination was initially mostly provided by oil-lamps, although generators were also installed. (Currently, the fortifications are supplied with public [[electricity]], but they are also equipped with generators).  Ventilation was achieved both naturally and artificially. Water was supplied via water-mains.  The fortification works lasted four years and their cost at the time reached 100,400,000 [[drachma|drachmas]].
+The Metaxas Line fortifications consist of 22 independent clusters, the largest of which is the Roupel Fortress as it covers 6.1 out of the 155 km of the full line and had been constructed at a height of 322 m.  Illumination was initially mostly provided by oil-lamps, although generators were also installed. (Currently, the fortifications are supplied with public electricity, but they are also equipped with generators).  Ventilation was achieved both naturally and artificially. Water was supplied via water-mains.  The fortification works lasted four years and their cost at the time reached 100,400,000 [[drachma|drachmas]].
 ==History==