[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 165 (Tuesday, October 24, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H10694-H10695]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A SALUTE TO GREECE: OXI DAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Florida [Mr. Bilirakis] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, October 28, 1995, marks the 55th 
anniversary of a very historic day in Greek history, and for that 
matter world history.
  On October 28, 1940, the Italian Minister in Athens presented an 
ultimatum to the Prime Minister of Greece, demanding the unconditional 
surrender of Greece. His answer: ``Oxi,'' which means ``no'' in Greek.
  Military success for the Italians would have sealed off the Balkans 
from the south and helped Hitler's plan to invade Russia. Indeed, with 
an army that was fully equipped, well supplied, and backed by superior 
air and naval power, the Italians were expected to overrun Greece 
within a short time.
  However, despite their lack of equipment, the Greek Army proved to be 
well trained and resourceful. Within a week after the Italians first 
attacked, it was clear that their forces had suffered a serious setback 
in spite of having control of the air and fielding armored vehicles.
  On November 14th, the Greek Army launched a counteroffensive and 
quickly drove Italian forces back well into Albania. On December 6th, 
the Greeks captured Porto Edda and continued their advance along the 
seacoast toward Valona. By February 1, 1941, the Italians had launched 
strong counterattacks, however the determination of the Greek Army 
coupled with the severity of the winter weather, nullified the 
Italians' efforts.
  The Italians, in an effort to bring the war to a close before they 
would need the help of German intervention, launched another offensive 
on March 12, 1941. However, after 6 days of fighting, the Italians made 
only insignificant gains and it became clear that German intervention 
was necessary.
  On March 26th, Hitler shouted ``I will make a clean sweep of the 
Balkans.'' It took him 5 weeks, until the end of April, to subdue 
Greece. It turned out to be an important 5 weeks for the world. As a 
result of this campaign, Hitler's plan to invade Russia had to be 
delayed. Instead of launching the Russia invasion on May 15, 1941, as 
planned, Hitler had to set a new date of June 22, 1941.
  This delay proved catastrophic for the Germans and contributed to the 
failure of their Russian campaign.
  The victory of the Greek Army against the Italians and the 
repudiation of Mussolini astonished the world. Greece was attacked 
after the 

[[Page H 10695]]
fall of France and at a time when the Axis powers were seemingly 
unbeatable.
  The heroic stance by the Greeks against insurmountable odds, was the 
first glimmer of hope for the Allies, and today we can take great pride 
in those who risked their lives to defend their country. They sought to 
defend their own land, but they helped to save Europe.

                          ____________________