Invasion of the Balkans
After Italy fails to do so, Hitler and his German war machine move in to put Yugoslavia and Greece in their place.
Italy utilized 200,000 of its soldiers to take the nation of Greece, a move that proved to be an initial success. However, a combined effort centering around the dedicated resistance of the Greeks coupled with air support from the RAF, sent the 200,000-strong Italian Army packing.
Yugoslavia's Prince Paul signed a deal with the Axis but was overthrown from power by his own people several days later. Hitler enacts a plan - Operation Marita - to invade Greece and Yugoslavia simultaneously.
The invasion is handled in classic German fashion, utilizing airborne elements and a fast-moving ground force. Constant bombardment of the Yugoslavian capital nets countless civilian lives lost. Greek defenses begin to falter and the Allies (a combined force of British, Australian and New Zealand soldiers) are in retreat. After the Yugoslavian government and army officially surrender to the Germans, nothing stands in the way of Germany and Greece.
The Allies are ultimately ordered to evacuated through the south of Greece while Italian and German forces take Athens - and eventually - all of Greece in the process.
The Axis invasion of the Balkans is complete.
Total Events: 19
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An Italian force of 200,000 soldiers invades Greece. |
1940
Sunday
November 10th |
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The Italian invasion force is in full retreat, repelled by a combined Greek resistance and RAF effort after just two weeks. |
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Prince Paul of Yugoslavia offers his allegiance to the Axis, signing the Tripartite Pact. |
1941
Wednesday
March 26th |
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In Berlin, Hitler reportedly tells his high level officers "I have decided to destroy Yugoslavia". |
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Prince Paul of Yugoslavia is forceably removed from power via a coup led by Bora Mirkovic and Dusan Simovic. Simovic is installed as the new ruler of Yugoslavia and quickly makes an effort to break Yugoslavia's commitment to the Tripartite Pact with the Axis. |
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Operation Marita - the dual Germany invasion of Greece and Yugoslavia - is put into action. Twenty-four total divisions are involved, including some 1200 tanks. |
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A massive German bombing raid on the Yugoslavian capital city of Belgrade nets over 300,000 civilian casualties. |
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The German Army moves on and captures the strategic port city of Salonika. |
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The German 12th Army encircles and defeats the Greek defensive line known as the "Metaxas Line". |
1941
Thursday
April 10th - April 16th |
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Three divisions of British, Australian and New Zealand troops at the Aliakmon Line in the Vermion Mountains are defeated. |
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German forces launching from Romania, Austria, Hungary and Bulgaria along with an Italian contigent from Albania capture and secure the Yugoslavian capital of Belgrade. |
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Vermion Line Allied troops are now redeployed to defensive positions around Mount Olympus. |
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The German Army destroys Yugoslavian forces at Monistar Gap, clearing a path into Greece. Greece units fighting in Albania are effectively cut off. |
1941
Wednesday
April 16th |
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Allied forces in Greece are in full retreat at the request of Greek General Alexander Papagos who sees value is less fighting to save his country from total destruction. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill accepts the request. |
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Yugoslavian leadership, along with the army, surrenders to the Germans. |
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The Greek Army surrenders to the Germans and Italians. |
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German airborne elements attempt to capture the bridge over the Corinth Canal in an attempt to encircle the retreating allies. The bridge is lost in the attack while the Allies have already moved on. |
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Axis forces officially occupy Athens, effectively signaling the end of Greek resistance. |
1941
Sunday
April 27th - April 30th |
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Operation Demon is activated, covering the evacuation of some 51,000 Allied troops from southern Greece via the Royal Navy. |
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