Twelve Greek members of the WW2 Greek Army 1940 Reenacting Team decided to pay tribute to the Greek resistance during the war in a unique way. The soldiers are recreating the Greek army’s battle at the Albanian front seventy-four years after Greek prime minister Ioannis Metaxas said “Ohi!” (meaning “No”) to an ultimatum made by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on October 28, 1940, that essentially marked Greece’s entry to WW2.

Historic reenactments are popular abroad but not well-known in Greece. Members of the Greek team say that the reenactment is a unique way to remember and promote Greek history.

Those taking part need to do research so as to dress in the costumes of the time, carry the equipment and recreate the scenes of WW2 battles. Many of the weapons have been collected and borrowed from the relatives of people who fought at the time to ensure that the re-enactment is as close as possible to the original.

Through the reenactment they hope to show that the Greeks were organized and brave.

Those who wish to take part in the re-enactment need two qualities – a passion for that particular era in history and enough money to be able to buy the equipment needed in order to participate in the battles.