The German Conquest of the Dodecanese in 1943: A British Account

In the fall of 1943, a vivid depiction unfolds of the ill-fated British attempt to seize control of the Dodecanese islands.

In the autumn of 1943, Winston Churchill led a campaign to secure the Aegean islands in the Dodecanese region following the Italian armistice. The strategic move aimed to pressure Germany and possibly sway Turkey to join the Allies. Despite efforts by the Special Boat Squadron and the Long Range Desert Group, German forces swiftly captured Rhodes, a crucial island with vital airfields, before British garrison troops could intervene. The ensuing German offensive, backed by air and naval support, led to the occupation of Rhodes, Kos, and Leros until May 1945. The Dodecanese campaign marked Hitler's final victorious stand and a significant British-led defeat in World War II.

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