BALKANS
A minor "theater" of war
In 1937 Mussolini had occupied Albania...as the Germans racked up triumph after triumph Mussolini sought victories of his own.
Oct., 1940 -Germany entered Romania on the pretext of protecting its oil fields and reorganizing its army
In 1940 Italy attacked Greece expecting and easy victory...they were surprised
Mussolini demanded the right to bases in Greece- they refused - he sent an army across the border (hadn't notified Hitler)
Greeks fought savagely, forced Italy back to Albania and nearly drove them out of Albania
Hitler was forced to send Mussolini assistance...this diversion into the Balkans was critical in delaying the attack on the Soviets - instead of launching the attack in May, 1941 the attack did not begin until late June, 1941
German troops occupied Greece and Yugoslavia...stiff resistance in the area tied down thousands of Axis troops who could not be devoted to the Russian front
Hungary and Romania joined the Axis in November and Bulgaria a short time later
Yugoslavia signed an Axis pact - the people revolted against the pro-German ministers
- German troops poured in
- In 12 days the Yugoslavian army was destroyed
- Guerrillas kept fighting
- Hitler used Yugoslavia as a base to help the Italians in Greece
- German troops entered Athens April 27, 1941 - handed over the country to Italy
Russia and Germany uneasy partners
Russia had attacked Finland Nov. 30, 1939 - Finns surrendered March, 1940 - they fought for 3 months
Summer of 1940 Russia seized Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
Rudolph Hess flew to Great Britain May, 1941 - He said to work out a peace with Britain - they threw him in jail - *** he would become the last prisoner to be kept in the Tower of London - he also was the last prisoner in Spandau prison where he committed suicide at age 92 ( A very good book to read about this prison is Spandau - written by Albert Speer who spent 25 years there.)
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