Part Twenty-Seven
Offensive in Pyrenees
Since the last German troops were thrown out of Spain in December 1941, enemy was making occasional attempts to break through our line in Pyrenees. All these attacks were easily beaten off, especially after we fortified large part of the front line.
When German troops launched another offensive on 16th March 1943, it looked like it will end up like many others before. Most fighting was fought in the forests around St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, where our well dug-in troops were able to hold off the enemy advance. But after a few days things started to change, and the fortune of battle was turning in German favor. A few divisions, all that was left of our reserves, were immediately sent to the front, but to no avail. Realizing that any further resistance in St-Jean-Pied-de-Port was futile, I issued an order to retreat south, to a better fortified line.
Irun, Pamplona and Hecho were soon under German attack. Our line in Irun looked like it was going to collapse but it held, after some troops that had already retreated returned to the front.
By mid April German offensive seemed to be loosing strength. There is still fighting along entire front and the Luftwaffe continues to inflict heavy losses to our men. It is very questionable whether we will be able to hold the line. Unlike 1941, when Spanish army had almost 60 divisions in Pyrenees, there are less than 20 now. If the line falls, there probably wouldn’t be enough troops to form a second line.
Pyrenees
Retreat in Greece
After last enemy offensive, front line in Greece entered a relatively calm period. Italian and Spanish troops were digging in, while Yugoslav troops withdrew from Eastern Greece. Following their withdrawal, our troops captured the vacant territory, and within few weeks all Eastern Greece was liberated, except for area next to Bulgarian border which was held by strong enemy forces.
Then the Yugoslavs launched an offensive in Northern Greece and advanced southwards, despite all our efforts and counteroffensives. Yugoslav advance threatened to cut off the supply lines of our troops in Eastern Greece, so they had to withdraw to west.
In the beginning of April, German troops started to arrive in Greece.
Operations in Greece, February-March 1943
Upon arrival, several German divisions marched into Eastern Greece and occupied it, meeting no resistance.
On 30th April German and Italian troops launched an offensive against the areas northwest and northeast of the pocket. Our defensive line was overwhelmed by the force of enemy attack, and it was obvious that it won’t be able to hold. Spanish divisions north of the pocket were still not under attack, but were in danger of being cut off. They immediately started to retreat south and our main concern was to keep their retreat route open. Heavy fighting developed in Kastoria, but we managed to hold off the enemy long enough to allow our troops to retreat. Once these troops joined the rest of the forces, an order for general retreat was issued. A new defensive line was to be formed, stretching from Astakos to Larisa.
Retreat to Astakos-Larisa line
Offensive in Pyrenees
Since the last German troops were thrown out of Spain in December 1941, enemy was making occasional attempts to break through our line in Pyrenees. All these attacks were easily beaten off, especially after we fortified large part of the front line.
When German troops launched another offensive on 16th March 1943, it looked like it will end up like many others before. Most fighting was fought in the forests around St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, where our well dug-in troops were able to hold off the enemy advance. But after a few days things started to change, and the fortune of battle was turning in German favor. A few divisions, all that was left of our reserves, were immediately sent to the front, but to no avail. Realizing that any further resistance in St-Jean-Pied-de-Port was futile, I issued an order to retreat south, to a better fortified line.
Irun, Pamplona and Hecho were soon under German attack. Our line in Irun looked like it was going to collapse but it held, after some troops that had already retreated returned to the front.
By mid April German offensive seemed to be loosing strength. There is still fighting along entire front and the Luftwaffe continues to inflict heavy losses to our men. It is very questionable whether we will be able to hold the line. Unlike 1941, when Spanish army had almost 60 divisions in Pyrenees, there are less than 20 now. If the line falls, there probably wouldn’t be enough troops to form a second line.
Pyrenees
Retreat in Greece
After last enemy offensive, front line in Greece entered a relatively calm period. Italian and Spanish troops were digging in, while Yugoslav troops withdrew from Eastern Greece. Following their withdrawal, our troops captured the vacant territory, and within few weeks all Eastern Greece was liberated, except for area next to Bulgarian border which was held by strong enemy forces.
Then the Yugoslavs launched an offensive in Northern Greece and advanced southwards, despite all our efforts and counteroffensives. Yugoslav advance threatened to cut off the supply lines of our troops in Eastern Greece, so they had to withdraw to west.
In the beginning of April, German troops started to arrive in Greece.
Operations in Greece, February-March 1943
Upon arrival, several German divisions marched into Eastern Greece and occupied it, meeting no resistance.
On 30th April German and Italian troops launched an offensive against the areas northwest and northeast of the pocket. Our defensive line was overwhelmed by the force of enemy attack, and it was obvious that it won’t be able to hold. Spanish divisions north of the pocket were still not under attack, but were in danger of being cut off. They immediately started to retreat south and our main concern was to keep their retreat route open. Heavy fighting developed in Kastoria, but we managed to hold off the enemy long enough to allow our troops to retreat. Once these troops joined the rest of the forces, an order for general retreat was issued. A new defensive line was to be formed, stretching from Astakos to Larisa.
Retreat to Astakos-Larisa line
You're right, I probably won't be able to hold the new line for long. But I'll put up a last stand north of Athens and I think I can hold that line. If not, I'll evacuate Greece.
