Metaxas and the ultimatum — Athens 3 a.m.

Ioannis Metaxas, a soldier and dictator of Greece since 1936, runs an authoritarian regime that is nevertheless firmly attached to national independence. During 1940, Italy steps up provocations in the eastern Mediterranean — including the torpedoing of the Greek cruiser Elli in August. Mussolini, envious of German successes and eager for a Balkan coup, is preparing an invasion from Albania, which he occupies.

On the night of October 27-28, 1940, around 3 a.m., the Italian ambassador Emanuele Grazzi calls at Metaxas's home and hands him an ultimatum: allow Italian troops to occupy strategic points on Greek territory, failing which it will be war. The deadline is derisory — a few hours — and the Italians are already crossing the border.

Metaxas, in his dressing gown, knows that Greece is weaker and that his regime maintained ties with Fascist Italy. To yield might avoid war; to refuse means standing alone against a great Axis power. He must answer at once.