The delineation of the borders of the Albanian state had long been a matter of concern for the international community. Eventually, it was decided to establish an international commission to address the issue. The Italians, who supported the Albanians and pursued a policy contrary to the interests of Hellenism, took charge of delineating the Greek-Albanian border. On August 27, 1923, members of the Italian delegation (led by General Enrico Tellini) were assassinated near the borders, but within Greek territory.

Although the assassins were never identified, Mussolini (who had taken the reins of Italy a few months earlier) sent a telegram to Greece on August 29. Athens was taken by surprise and tried to downplay the incident. However, it accepted some of the terms of the telegram. Before receiving the Greek response, the Italians bombed and occupied the undefended island of Corfu. Many civilians were killed and the issue took on international dimensions as Athens appealed to the League of Nations. The internationally isolated (after the Asia Minor catastrophe and the execution of the Six) Greek government desperately sought allies.

Europe found itself on the brink of a major conflict for the first time since the end of World War I. Ultimately, despite the support of the majority of the international community, Greece was forced to pay a huge sum of compensation to the Italians in order to free Corfu. After 85 years of obscurity, the Greek-Italian crisis of 1923 is thoroughly and scientifically analyzed. The author, after years of research, provides answers to all unanswered questions and "photographs" for the first time the real culprits of this tragic affair.