Panzer turrets in Greece

Panzer turrets in Greece

A few words about the occupation of Greece 1941-1944 from Wikipedia: “The occupation of Greece by the Axis Powers began in April 1941 after Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany invaded Greece, and lasted until Germany and her satellite Bulgaria withdrew from mainland Greece in October 1944. German garrisons remained in control of Crete and other Aegean islands until after the end of World War II, surrendering to the Allies in May and June 1945. The occupation of Greece was divided between Germany, Italy and Bulgaria. German forces occupied the most strategically important areas, namely Athens, Thessaloniki with Central Macedonia and several Aegean Islands, including most of Crete. East Macedonia and Thrace came under Bulgarian occupation and was annexed to Bulgaria, which had long claimed these territories. The remaining two thirds of Greece were occupied by Italy, with the Ionian Islands directly administered as Italian territories. After the Italian capitulation in September 1943, the Italian zone was taken over by the Germans, who often attacked the Italian garrisons.”

Additionally since the Germans, having abandoned their plans to occupy Malta, desperately needed supply routes to North African and the beleaguered AfrikaKorps, they considered the Greek rail system vital to their war effort. Thus, its entire length and especially the stations, rail yards and, bridges and tunnels were guarded by the Wehrmacht. So, we come to the 3 locations in Central Greece, where we find these panzer turrets, all of which were (and 2 still are) installed on Tobruk-style panzerstellung type bunkers, in or near important rail stations.

1st turret (Photos 043-087),from a Panzerkampfwagen I, still on the panzerstellung guarding the southern approach to Davlia station (Google Earth coordinates: 38.534004, 22.812365, map coordinates: 38°32'02.41" B 22°48'44.51" E). The turret is dislodged from its ring but is still atop the bunker. The hatch is missing, but otherwise it is quite remarkably complete. The gun cradles and mantlet visor opening mechanisms are all there, rusted in place. The commander’s back rest is also there. There are even a couple of A rings still hanging from handles inside the turret.