The Battle of Metaxas Line, also known as Battle of the Forts (Greek: Μάχη των Οχυρών), or Struggle for the Metaxas Line (German: Kampf um die Metaxas-Linie), was the first battle during the Greek campaign of World War II. The Germans succeeded in breaching the Greek fortified Metaxas Line on the western flank and forced the Greek forces east of the Axios river to surrender after four days of combat (6–9 April 1941).