Italian invasion of Greece

Discussion in 'North Africa & the Med' started by Mark, Apr 28, 2006.

  1. Mark

    Mark Junior Member

    Does anyone believe this invasion was the Biggest mistake of Italy in the war?
     
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  2. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Big mistake in the long-term especially in it's implications for relations with Germany and the trouble over Yugoslavia but perhaps understandable from Mussolini's twisted point of view. Given Italy's shortages of almost everything and the fat man looking round for potential territories to exploit, Greece and it's initial attempt to remain neutral must have looked to him as a potentially handy target that appeared to him as fairly easy and local meat (silly man.). I believe Greece was bled dry by the Italians? Wasn't the famine bought on by occupation rather severe? (tens of thousands dead?).
    To answer your question though, I think Italy's biggest mistake in ww2 was it's woeful approach to weapon design, Army training and leadership and somehow allowing itself to be led by Mussolini. If you have a choice it seems best to not have a massively overinflated view of ones countrys capabilities based on past colonial gains before engaging in a World War in which you are massively outclassed by the other combatants both politically and Militarily.
    Cheers,
    Adam.
     
  3. Mark

    Mark Junior Member

    Hello Adam.The causalties the Greek army had in the Albanian front was about 60,000 men.We had mobilised 450,000 men for the war.300,000 were sent to Albania and 70,000 were guarding the the Greek-Bulgarian borders.After the German ocuppation there were 10% fewer Greeks which means 600,000 peaple.I hope my answer satisfies you.See ya
     
  4. lancesergeant

    lancesergeant Senior Member

    As Hitler created the Third Reich, Mussolini wanted to create his own Roman Empire part 2. As Von Poop says fairly easy and local. Abyssinia (Ethiopia), Libya -quick victories against forces who couldn't in any way threaten him, building his ego to match Hitler's.
     
  5. Kiwiwriter

    Kiwiwriter Very Senior Member

    The biggest was entering the war. Especially at that lousy level of preparation.
     
  6. Gerard

    Gerard Seelow/Prora

    Well the invasion drew the British into Southern Europe which means that they couldnt finish the job against the Italians in North Africa. Having just whipped them there Wavell was forced to divert his best forces to the defence of Greece which emanated from the German invasion which emenated from the Italian failure to invade!! Confused yet??? Ironically Italian mistakes in Southern Europe meant they hung on to North Africa that little bit longer!
     
  7. Desert Dog

    Desert Dog Member

    Very ironic indeed. If Wavell had kept his forces intact, he probably would have driven the Italians and Rommel out of Africa by the end of 1941.

    I seriously doubt that Rommels April 41 offensive would have suceeded if those forces were in the area around Tobruk and Bengazi
     
  8. kfz

    kfz Very Senior Member

    Very ironic indeed. If Wavell had kept his forces intact, he probably would have driven the Italians and Rommel out of Africa by the end of 1941.

    I seriously doubt that Rommels April 41 offensive would have suceeded if those forces were in the area around Tobruk and Bengazi


    Yep but if the forces stayed in Africa and Greece fell to the Italians then Hitler would have no need to come to their aid and the invasion of Russia would have started on time. and if and if and if.......
     
  9. Desert Dog

    Desert Dog Member

    More like, if the Italians never invaded Greece then Hitler would have never had to come to Mussulinis aid in invading Greece. And Greece would have remained Neutral which they were hoping to do in the first place.

    The British went to help the Greeks against a German invasion not against the Italians who they effectively defeated which was the reason of the German invasion.

    The only thing that may have been different was that Mussulini could have sent his good troops into Libya as opposed to Albania to fight the Greeks. Perhaps then Operation Compass may have turned out differently.
     
  10. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Witness History - Greece's Great Famine - BBC Sounds

    How hundreds of thousands of Greeks starved to death under Nazi occupation.

    In 1941, Greece was occupied by Germany and its allies. The economy quickly collapsed and food shortages spread across urban areas with terrifying speed. By the winter of that year tens of thousands were dying. Rob Walker speaks to 94 year old Athina Cacouri who was living in Athens at the time, and to the historian, Mark Mazower.

     

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