Eighty-five years ago today, on October 28, 1940 (September 28, 1940), the Italian army began its invasion of Greece. October 28, 1940. The Italian army suddenly launched a full-scale attack on Greece. In an ultimatum submitted by Italy to Greece, the Italian side threatened that the morning would be the deadline, and the ultimatum demanded that Greece give up part of its territory or submit to the Italian invasion. Greek Prime Minister Mataxas said he believed the ultimatum was Italy's declaration of war on Greece, and he went on to call on the Greek people to "fight for the motherland, for wives and children, and for sacred traditions." The Italian side also claimed that Greek soldiers had attacked a fascist military post on the Greek-Albanian border, which Greece denied. They said the attack on the post was probably carried out by Albanian rioters. The Italians moved at least 10 divisions 200,000 land, sea and air into Greece via Albania. A small Greek force rushed in and failed to stop the Italians. Meanwhile, British warships were coming to Greece's aid.