Dodecanese Campaign and Battle of Leros

After Italy agreed an armistice with the Allies in September 1943, British forces attempted to occupy the Dodecanese islands and use them as a base in the eastern Mediterranean. German forces reacted rapidly to secure the archipelago.

Leros was subjected to prolonged air attack before German troops landed in November. British and Italian defenders surrendered after several days of fighting, ending the principal Allied effort in the islands.