The Arpalouki Fort of the Metaxas Line in Serres

The Arpalouki Fort is located on the hill of the same name on Mount Mpeles (Kerkini), approximately 2.5 km northeast of the Istibei Fort and 8 km northwest of Neo Petritsi, Serres. It was constructed between 1937 and 1941 as part of the Metaxas Line, which fortified the Greek-Bulgarian border. The Arpalouki installation consisted of two sealed complexes: Arpalouki and the "Didymoi" (Twins). During the German invasion of Greece in April 1941, the fort garrison consisted of Major Dimitrios Karathanos, six officers, and 333 soldiers. The attack on the fort was assigned to the 3rd Battalion of the 100th Mountain Infantry Regiment (Gebirgsjäger). The assault began on the morning of April 6, 1941, with aerial and artillery bombardment. On April 7th, the heavy bombardment continued using all available ground and air forces. Despite the defenders’ resistance, German forces managed to reach the surface level of the Didymoi complex and threw asphyxiating gas into the tunnels, eventually forcing the defenders to surrender. After the capture of the Didymoi section, German troops launched an attack on the Arpalouki complex from three directions. During the night of April 7th to 8th, the Greek garrison regrouped and moved toward the Strymon River bridges, only to find them destroyed. There, a three-hour battle ensued with German forces until the defenders ran out of ammunition.

After exhausting their munitions, the fort garrison was forced to surrender, except for a small unit led by an officer that managed to evade capture. Thus ended the battle for the Arpalouki complex. Exact figures for German casualties remain unknown, while Greek forces lost 47 soldiers in combat. Pictured: Four Greek soldiers of the Arpalouki Fort garrison carry the body of a fallen comrade for burial, April 8, 1941. ©Municipal Photography Museum of Kalamaria ‘Christos Kalemkeris’.