When did the Italian invasion of Greece begin?
The Italian invasion of Greece began on the 28th of October 1940. Italian forces crossed the border and made limited gains in the initial days before Greek troops counter-attacked with force.
Questions about Balkans campaign (World War II)
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What was the stated aim of Operation Marita during the Balkans campaign?
The stated aim of Operation Marita was to prevent British forces from getting air bases within striking range of Romanian oilfields. Hitler issued orders for this operation on the 13th of December 1940 for execution in March 1941.
How many Allied soldiers were evacuated to Crete during the Battle of Greece?
About 40,000 Allied soldiers were evacuated to Crete during the phase ending with the German entry into Athens. This evacuation occurred after the German army out-flanked the Greek Metaxas Line fortifications despite assistance provided by a British expeditionary corps.
Why did the Supreme Command of the Wehrmacht abandon large-scale airborne operations?
Heavy losses incurred by paratroopers during the invasion of Crete convinced the Supreme Command of the Wehrmacht to abandon large-scale airborne operations for the remainder of the war. The decision marked a turning point in how future invasions would be planned following Operation Merkur.
Which areas did Bulgaria occupy on the 20th of April 1941?
On the 20th of April the Bulgarian Army occupied most of Western Thrace and the Greek province of Eastern Macedonia. These areas had already been conquered by Germany before Bulgaria sought to restore its pre-World War I outlet to the Aegean Sea through these gains.