Bunker Archaeology: The WW2 bunkers of Vatochori, by Dennis Agrafiotis
Bunker Archaeology, WW2, WW2 in Greece, WW2 WrecksPhotos and research by Dennis Agrafiotis, submitted to www.ww2wrecks.com and used by permission
At the village of Vatochori, a few kilometers from the Greek-Albanian border, a fortified strongpoint (center of resistance) was organized before WW2.
The fortifications were constructed in accordance with the general plan of the Metaxas Government to defend the northern borders of Greece against attacks mainly from Bulgaria, but also from the territory of Albania and the country formerly known as Yugoslavia.
The «Vatochori strongpoint» included field fortifications, a vast network of trenches, barbed-wire entanglements, an anti-tank ditch with a minefield and seven concrete bunkers.
The concrete bunkers were constructed from 1938 to 1939.
Unfortunately, during the Greek Civil War 1946-49, between the Government-backed National Army and the Communist-backed Democratic Army, four of the bunkers were destroyed by the communists, who, at the time, controlled large areas of northern Greece that border with Albania and the country formerly known as Yugoslavia, the governments of which assisted their activities.
The remaining three bunkers are in a very good condition.
