The Italian occupation and bombardment of Corfu

·

In 1923, a year after Mussolini rose to power and as Greece was still reeling from the Asia Minor Catastrophe, Fascist Italy revealed its expansionist ambitions in the Balkans, according to sansimera.gr

The trigger was the murder of General Tellini and four members of the Italian commission tasked with demarcating the Greek-Albanian border. On August 27, 1923, they were ambushed and killed on the Ioannina–Kakavia road. Without waiting for investigations, Mussolini issued an ultimatum to Athens demanding a public apology, military honors, executions of the perpetrators, participation of Italian officers in the inquiry, and compensation of 50 million lire.

The Greek government, led by Nikolaos Plastiras, rejected most of these terms, insisting the culprits were Albanian bandits and proposing that the League of Nations handle the dispute.

On August 31, while diplomatic efforts were still underway, Italy launched a naval operation. A fleet of 25 warships appeared off Corfu, demanding its surrender. When Governor Petros Evripaios refused, Italian ships bombarded the city, killing 15 civilians—mostly women and children-and injuring 35. Italian troops then landed, occupied the island, and mockingly placed a wooden rooster on the Old Fortress with the inscription: “When this rooster crows, then the Italians will leave Corfu.”

Greece appealed to the League of Nations, which condemned the attack but faced strong resistance from Italy. The matter was referred to the Conference of Ambassadors, which forced Greece to pay the 50 million lire indemnity, hold a memorial service for the victims, and conduct further investigations under international supervision.

Only after these concessions did Italy agree to withdraw from Corfu on September 27, 1923, leaving the local population to bid farewell with the ironic chant: “Koukou-rikou!”

The murderers of Tellini and his team were never identified.

Source: sansimera

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Prespes lakes face severe drought threat

Scientists are warning of the “slow death” of the Prespes lakes, as water levels have dropped to their lowest point in 35 years.

Popular mountain destination in Greece introduces ‘culture fee’ per night for visitors

Tourists staying in the Municipality of Zagori will now pay a €0.75 “culture fee” per night for hotel or short-term rental accommodations.

Greece declares 2026 a tribute year to Manos Hadjidakis

The Greek Ministry of Culture has proclaimed 2026 a year dedicated to honoring Manos Hadjidakis, the visionary composer.

Greece to deregister 285,000 inactive university students

Greece’s Education Ministry will remove over 285,000 inactive students from university records in December, Sofia Zacharaki announced

My Greek Kitchen’s Niki Louca shares her favourite Pavlova Roll recipe

Niki Louca from My Greek Kitchen shares her favourite recipe for a pavlova roll with The Greek Herald.

You May Also Like

Greek Australian students shortlisted for Whitlam Institute’s literature competition

The “What Matters” 2023 Shortlist has been announced by the Whitlam Institute of Australia by recognising two students of Greek heritage.

Popular mountain destination in Greece introduces ‘culture fee’ per night for visitors

Tourists staying in the Municipality of Zagori will now pay a €0.75 “culture fee” per night for hotel or short-term rental accommodations.

Stelios Kazantzidis: The Greek singer who gave a modern spin to rembetika

One of the most beloved Greek music performers of the modern era, Stelios Kazantzidis, was born on this day back in 1931.