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| 10. The Balkan Front, 1916–1917 |
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(See Feb. 24)| |
| a. Greece |
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| Throughout the summer and autumn of 1916 the Greek situation continued to be most unsatisfactory from the Entente viewpoint. | 1 |
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| 1916, May 26 |
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| A Bulgarian-German force occupied Fort Rupel in Greek Macedonia, this action enhancing the suspicion that King Constantine was secretly bound to the Central powers. | 2 |
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| June 6–22 |
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| The “pacific blockade” of Greece by the Entente powers. France and Britain sent Greece an ultimatum (June 21) demanding demobilization of the Greek army and the institution of responsible government. The Greek government yielded. The Skouloudis ministry resigned and a Zaimis cabinet was organized. The army was put on a peace footing (June 27) and new elections were arranged for. | 3 |
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| July 25 |
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| The reconstituted Serbian army, which had been shipped from Corfu to Saloniki, came into action on that front. Russian troops from France and an Italian contingent also arrived (July 30, Aug. 11). | 4 |
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| Aug. 30 |
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| A Venizelist, pro-Ally movement, fostered by Gen. Sarrail, took place at Saloniki. | 5 |
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| Sept. 29 |
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| Venizelos and Adm. Paul Condouriotis established a provisional government in Crete. Venizelos then (Oct. 9) went to Saloniki, where the provisional government declared war on Germany and Bulgaria (Nov. 23). | 6 |
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| Oct. 10 |
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| The Entente powers, incensed by the surrender of the Greek forces at Kavalla, submitted an ultimatum to Athens demanding the surrender of the Greek fleet. The Athens government (Lambros ministry, Oct. 10–May 3, 1917) yielded (Oct. 11), whereupon the Entente powers demanded (Nov. 19) the dismissal of the representatives of the Central powers at Athens and the surrender of war materiel. These demands were rejected (Nov. 30), and in consequence French and British landing parties debarked at Piraeus. They withdrew again on Dec. 1 after conflicts with the Greeks. | 7 |
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| Dec. 8 |
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| Blockade of Greece. The Allies demanded (Dec. 14) the complete withdrawal of Greek forces from Thessaly. The Athens government once more gave in (Dec. 15), but on Dec. 19 the British government decided to recognize the provisional government of Venizelos. | 8 |
| The Macedonian front was quiet during the winter of 1916–17. | 9 |
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