By Pierre Kosmidis

Photos submitted by Ted Konstantinov and used by permission

This bunker bears the scars of direct artillery hits.

The Metaxas Line, the series of bunker complexes in the northern borders of Greece, withstood the German onslaught, during the initial stages of “Operation Marita”, the German invasion of Greece, initiated on April 6, 1941.

Bulgarian soldiers pose on top of one of the Metaxas Line bunkers. The Bulgarians, allies of the Germans, did not fight during Operation Marita, but were put as occupying forces in Macedonia and Thrace, Greece, committing atrocities against the local Greek population. — Bulgarian soldiers pose on top of one of the Metaxas Line bunkers. The Bulgarians, allies of the Germans, did not fight during Operation Marita in April 1941, but were thereafter put by the Germans as occupying forces in Macedonia and Thrace, Greece, committing atrocities against the local Greek population.

Many photos have surfaced over the years, mostly coming from private collections owned by German soldiers who fought against the Greek defenders of the fortresses.

Bulgarian soldiers contemplate over the graves of KIA Germans during the "Battle of the Forts" in April 1941. — Bulgarian soldiers contemplate over the graves of KIA Germans during the “Battle of the Forts” in April 1941.

Recently, thanks to researcher Ted Konstantinov, from Sofia, Bulgaria, a series of previously unpublished photos, shot by Bulgarian soldiers who visited the Metaxas Line bunkers shortly after the battle was over, see the light of History, over 7 decades after they were taken.

A Greek bunker lies abandoned after the battle was over.

We are looking for expert input on the exact location of these bunkers, so if you have any information, please contact us!