With the outbreak of the Greco-Italian War, II Corps under Papadopoulos took position in the central section of the front, initially under Lt. General Ioannis Pitsikas' Western Macedonia Army Section. II Corps participated in the operations to hold the initial Italian offensive and in the Greek counter-offensive, capturing Ersekë and Borovë (21 November). From 30 November, II Corps passed under the direct control of General Headquarters under Lt. General Alexandros Papagos. Përmet was captured on 5 December, the fortified Çorovodë-Vërzhezhe-Dobruzhe line was overcome on 26 December, and the II Corps' offensive culminated in January in the capture of the strategically important Klisura pass and the capture of Mount Trebeshinë in early February.