Battle of Grammos-Vitsi

In August 1949, the Greek government army launched its final offensive against the communist Democratic Army in the Grammos and Vitsi mountains, in northwestern Greece near the Albanian and Yugoslav borders, in the decisive battles of the Greek Civil War. The Democratic Army had built strong fortified positions in these rugged mountains, which it had held for years and used as bases, with supply lines from Albania. The government army, commanded by General Alexandros Papagos and strengthened by American military aid, advisers and aircraft, was far larger and better equipped. The Democratic Army's position had also been weakened by the split between Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union, which led Yugoslavia to close its border in July 1949, cutting off an important source of support. In mid-August, government forces attacked Vitsi, breaking through the Democratic Army's defenses. They then turned to Grammos, launching a massive assault supported by artillery and aircraft, including early use of napalm. By the end of August, the Democratic Army's positions had collapsed, and its remaining fighters retreated into Albania. The victory effectively ended the civil war.