The Battle of Elaia–Kalamas was a pivotal confrontation during the Greco-Italian War, which began when Italy launched an invasion of Greece on October 28, 1940. Lacking sufficient supplies and a clear military strategy, Italian forces encountered fierce resistance from the Greek army. The battle commenced in late 1940 and centered around the mountainous region of Epirus. Greek command, although outnumbered, executed a well-coordinated defensive strategy, making effective use of the terrain to counteract Italian advances. With leadership from General Georgios Hatzianestis, Greek troops engaged in guerrilla tactics and fortified positions that ultimately frustrated Italian attempts to gain ground.Italian General Ugo Cavallero's decision to attack through the challenging landscape of Epirus became a critical miscalculation. The Greeks cleverly exploited their intimate knowledge of the terrain and maintained strong defensive positions along the Kalamas River. Fighting continued fiercely, with both sides suffering significant casualties. As the Greeks repelled wave after wave of assaults, morale surged among Greek soldiers, and the Italians began to realize that their invasion plans were failing. By the conclusion of the battle, the Italians had been pushed back and compelled to regroup, marking a significant setback in their campaign against Greece.