Three years following the Invasion of Crete (last free Greek territory) and the King and the Greek government’s decision to continue the fight on the Allied side in the Middle East, the Hellenic Army formed a new mountain brigade, consisting of elite officers and soldiers from the disbanded units, as well as soldiers who were not involved in the mutiny of 6 April 1944.

The 3rd Greek Mountain Brigade, as it was called, was formed in Lebanon, on 9 June 1944, with Colonel Thrasyvoulos Tsakalotos as its commander, in order to be transported to Italy, at the side of the Allied Forces. Allied operations aimed at breaking through the “Gothic Line” and capturing the city of Rimini, which was considered a strategic junction, due to its geographic position and communication lines.

The assault on Rimini was undertaken by the 1st Canadian Division, under which the 3rd Greek Mountain Brigade fell. The Brigade’s three battalions were ordered to launch a night assault to capture the city. Despite German resistance, the Greek units captured Rimini airport, and on 19 September, alongside Canadian units, headed towards the town. After having eliminated all local German resistance, a three-member committee from the antifascist party surrendered the city unconditionally to the Greek units, signing an official protocol on 21 September.

The “Rimini Brigade” wrote new pages in the history of Greece, placing it in the victors’ camp. This success was connected to the hope and the creation of prerequisites for the liberation of the country from the Occupation.

#ΕλληνικόςΣτρατός, #HellenicArmy