On August 15, 1940, on the day of the feast of the Virgin Mary, a sneaky blow shocked Greece. The Crossroads “Ellie“, Flagged and anchored in the port of Tinos for the celebration, was suddenly torpedoed by an Italian submarine in a period of peace. This unmistakable attack, on one of the most sacred days of the Greek year, plunged the “Elli” and caused a wave of national anger. Although Greece would try to maintain its neutrality, the event functioned as a bell of national awakening and a forecast of the forthcoming Greek -Italian war two months later.
Historical Framework: Europe in War and Italian aspirations
In the summer of 1940, World War II had been raging for eleven months. Nazi Germany had scanned Europe and in June 1940 France collapsed under the axis forces. Fascist Italy, under Benito Mussolini, thought it was time to expand its influence in the Balkans. Albania had been occupied and annexed by Italy since April 1939, acquiring a strategic bridge to the northern border of Greece. The Balkan region was vital for Italy – Albania could act as a basis for a future expansion to the Balkan peninsula.
In June 1940, with its entry into the war on the side of Germany, Italy turned its eye to Greece, which it faced as its next goal. Greece was under the dictatorship of John Metaxas and had declared strict neutrality, avoiding the vortex of war for the time being. However, this neutrality was tested: the Italian press has fired a more aggressive campaign against our country, presenting it as a secret ally of Britain. Mussolini sought to bend the morale and force Greece into submission or a war of war under its own terms.
Italian challenges and aspirations before the attack
Since July 1940, the incidents of tension between Rome and Athens have multiplied. The Italian occupation forces in Albania caused border incidents and violations of the Greek airspace. At the same time, Italian propaganda was trying to create a pretext for attack. Characteristic is the ‘Hodga Episode’: In early August 1940, Rome tooling the assassination of Daut Hoxha – an infamous Albanian robber – praying it as a “Albanian patriot” murder by Greek agents. The Italian government press claimed that Greece was oppressing Albanian minorities, in an effort to slander our country internationally, Hoxha was a common criminal without patriotic action, but Italy was looking for war. The Greek Government of Metaxas, perceiving the trap, ordered the press to maintain a moderate stance and not throw oil on the fire, thus avoiding the sharpening
These challenges made it clear that the conflict was approaching. “The issue for the country was when it would come and its turn to enter the war, as the challenges of fascist Italy were now ongoing. Greece discreetly strengthened its defense, while the people were anxiously watching the Italian movements. Within this tense climate, there was an event that would unite the Greeks against the common danger.
The Chronicle of the torpedo of “Ellis”
August 15, 1940 – Tinos, 8:25 am: The light cruiser “Elli”Kamari of the Greek Navy, was anchored outside the port of Tinos, participating in the celebration of the Assumption. Thousands of faithful had flocked to the island. The warship, flagged as tradition as the tradition, gave honors to Our Lady of Tinos. Despite the concerns of the fleet leader (Admiral E. Kavvadia) for a possible challenge, the government had decided to miss the ship to stimulate the morale of the people and to observe the custom of the official maritime presence on August 15th.
Suddenly, as the liturgy of the miraculous image was to begin, a blush shocked the port. A torpedolaunched by the Italian submarine “Dolphin” who had been secretly approaching, hit the “Elli” in the engine room and the fuel tanks. The pilgrims on the waterfront saw the ship shake off the explosion, soon wrapped in flames and tobacco. Inside the panic, the submarine launched other two torpedoes To the port: They missed the target, but they explode on the waterfront, shaking the area and opening a crater in the port of the harbor. The “Elli”, heavily wounded, began to gradow 15-20 degrees. The crew made superhuman efforts to keep it on the surface – floating passenger and fishing vessels rushed, defying the danger, towing the cruiser to the shallow and rescuing shipwrecks. The commander, Captain Hatzopoulos, kept the boat as much as he could and was the last to abandon it, almost violently, when the sea arrived in the portholes and the ship sank.
10:20 am: “Elli”, with the Greek flag still waving on its web, was lost under the waters of Tinos. It was the first Greek warship to sink into World War II – although Greece was typically not yet in war. The account of the unexpected attack was heavy: 9 dead (officers and sailors) and 24 injured From the crew as well as a female pilgrim who died of heart synopsis due to shock. The casualties could be even greater if the other two torpedoes had hit the passenger ships “Esperos” and “Elsi” full of people, who at that time landed pilgrims to the port. The Italian submarine “Delfino”after performing his mission, he was left uninvited without leaving a trace of his identity.
Ellis torpedoing: Greek reaction – calm leadership – people’s anger
The news of torpedoing in the midst of peace caused a shock and awe all over the country. The same noon, the radio transmitted it ‘Shocking and incredible news’leaving the listeners speechless. Greek public opinion, already suspected of Italian intentions, was flooded with feelings of anger, disgust and deep indignation for the ‘Intendent act’ of the unknown invader. Hundreds of thousands of faithful and citizens across Greece felt that the homeland had been hit in the midst of a celebration, which was exacerbated by the national mindset.
The government of John Metaxas faced a difficult diplomatic equation. On the one hand, there was pressure on retaliation and the complaint of the culprit. On the other hand, Greece did not want – nor could it still – be involved in premature conflict without preparation. The debris of the torpedo that hit the waterfront were the same day by Lieutenant Doussi and their examination clearly showed the Italian origin of the weapon. Nevertheless, Metaxas decided to temporarily hide the elements and not name Italy. The official government claim was that ‘Underwater of unknown nationality’ He sank “Elli”. The press has been censored to avoid straight accusations against Rome. This restraint aimed at gaining valuable time for the country’s defensive preparation. Indeed, Greece did not respond militarily at that time – an act of the highest self -control that was expected to be tested again soon.
The Greek people, of course, had no doubt about the identity of the perpetrator. Rumors spread instantly and everyone whispered the obvious: “The Italians plunged” Ellie “.” The indignation turned into implied determination. Throughout the country, from the villages to the cities, the Greeks now felt that the conflict with the aggressive neighbor was inevitable and prepared their souls for what was coming.
Military and political leadership began intensive defense plans. Metaxas reinforced the Northern Epirus border, while assuring the people that Greece would stand up to it. The Greeks, instead of bent over the sneaky blow, was struck. According to the “naval times” of the time, the whole country was overwhelmed by the tragedy of Tinos, and every Greek soul ‘Preparely hesitated’ The murderous blow.
Chronicle of 1940 events
| Date | Fact |
|---|---|
| April 7, 1939 | Fascist Italy invades Albania and attaches the country, acquiring borders with Greece. |
| June 10, 1940 | Mussolini declares war in France and Britain • Italy enters World War II on the side of the axis. |
| August 4, 1940 | Italian propaganda peak: Directed “Minority” issue (Daut Hoxha case) for slander in Greece. |
| August 15, 1940 | Torpedoing of “Ellis” In Tinos by Italian submarine – first war loss of Greece, 9 dead and 24 injured. |
| 28 October 1940 | Mussolini delivers an ultimatum demanding the tradition of Greek territory; |
Ellis torpedo – historical significance and legacy
The torpedoing of “Elli” was recorded in Greek collective memory as one unexpected act of war in times of peacea proclamation of what would follow. Was the First victim of the Greek -Italian war Before the war officially begins. This sneaky blow not only did not bend the morale of the Greeks, but on the contrary it served as a national call to alert. The rage for the “unknown attack of the unknown pirate” united the Greeks in a decisive stance: when it was time for the Endergist in October, the people – already mentally prepared by the 15th of August of blood – supported the historical “NO”. The Epic of ’40 In the mountains of Pindos, with the first wins against Italian invaders, there was partially an informal Revenge for “Elli” – Proof that Greece would not leave the insult unpunished.
After the liberation, the fact was not forgotten. Every year, on August 15, the Navy commemorates the victims of “Ellis” with the bonding and throwing wreaths at the point of sacrifice. In Tinos a mausoleum was erected where the bones of the fallen sailors were kept, as well as parts of the torpedo recovered from the seabed. As part of war reparations, Italy handed the cruiser to Greece Eugenio di Savoia In 1950, which was renamed to “Elli II»as a minimum replacement of the lost ship. OR “Elli” It may no longer exist, but her memory lives as a symbol of patriotism and sacrifice. Her blood, spilled on the day of the Virgin Mary, did not go away: she awakened a nation and raised the mind that Greece needed to face the challenge of 1940 courageously.
After all, the torpedoing of “Elli” has shown that the faith and unity of a people can turn pain into power. That ‘Sneaky hit’ It became a fire that illuminated the road to the epic of ’40s, confirming that the Greeks, even in the darkest hours, derive courage from their history, pride and stubbornness to defend the homeland.