They raised a flag with a swastika at the Acropolis of Athens. Soon, the whole of Greece fell under the rule of the Axis powers.
The German troops triumphantly entered the conquered Athens on this day in 1941. They raised a flag with a swastika at the Acropolis of Athens. Previously, the Germans had defeated the joint Greek and British forces at Thermopylae. In the Battle of Thermopylae the main German commander was the General Ferdinand Schörner. He later received the rank of a field marshal, and was known by his nickname “Blutige Ferdinand” (“Bloody Ferdinand”). It is interesting to note that Hitler later appointed him the Supreme Commander of the entire German Army (in his last will).
Allegedly, Hitler didn`t want to pompously enter Athens (he didn`t want to hurt the Greek national pride). On the contrary, Mussolini wanted a triumph. However, Hitler agreed and Italian forces pompously enter the city.
