The Axis occupation of Greece during World War II began in April 1941 after the German and Italian invasion of Greece. The occupation lasted until the German withdrawal from the mainland in October 1944. In some cases however, such as in Crete and other islands, German garrisons remained in control until May and June 1945. Fascist Italy had initially invaded Greece in October 1940 but the invasion was stopped, and the Hellenic Army was able initially to push the invaders back into neighbouring Albania. This forced Germany to shift its military focus from the preparation of "Operation... Barbarossa" to an intervention on its ally's behalf in southern Europe. Considering most of the Hellenic Army was dislocated on the Albanian front to contain the Italian advance, a rapid German Blitzkrieg campaign followed in April 1941, and by the middle of May, Greece was occupied by the Nazis who proceeded to administer the most important regions themselves, including Athens and Thessaloniki. Other regions of the country were given to Germany's lesser partners, Fascist Italy and Bulgaria.
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