Hill 731, Albania, 9 March 1941: In the spring of 1941 the Italian leadership desired to achieve a
success against the Greek army before the impending German intervention. The plan, devised by General Ugo Cavallero, envisioned a large-scale attack on a narrow 32 km front to break through the center of the Greek line, recapture Kleisoura, and advance towards Leskovik and loannina Standing in the middle of the planned advance was Hill 731. As Italian shells began screaming towards the hill, the Greek commander, Dimitrios Kaslas, ordered every soldier to stand his ground, promising to personally shoot and kill anyone attempting to retreat.
