The Paliouriones Fort of the Metaxas Line in Serres

The Paliouriones Fort is a defensive complex of the Metaxas Line located on Mount Kerkini, also known as Mpelles, northeast of Neo Petritsi in the Serres region. It was constructed between 1937 and 1941 and played a significant role during the German invasion of Greece in April 1941, as part of the Greek Army’s defensive effort in the region of Macedonia. The 18th Greek Infantry Division, which was responsible for the fort’s defense, successfully repelled repeated attacks by German forces, which, despite their intensity, failed to capture it. However, in the afternoon of April 9, 1941, German envoys informed the Greek garrison of Greece’s surrender to Germany and of the German occupation of Thessaloniki earlier that day. As a result, it was decided that the Greek troops would evacuate the fort during the night. The formal surrender of Paliouriones Fort to the Germans took place on the morning of April 10, 1941. During the withdrawal of the Greek forces, a German honor guard was assembled to pay respects. The German flag was raised over the fort only after the full departure of the Greek garrison. Pictured: A moment from the departure of Greek soldiers from Paliouriones Fort following its surrender on April 10, 1941. ©Municipal Photography Museum of Kalamaria ‘Christos Kalemkeris’