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Battle of Greece and Battle of Crete - World War II DOCUMENTARY

Kings and Generals・65 minutes read

Greek forces successfully defended against Italian invasion, leading to Greek advances into Albania and demoralizing Italian troops. Despite initial setbacks, the British successfully evacuated troops from Greece and Crete amid heavy German opposition.

Insights

Italian nationalists under Fascism sought to expand their empire, leading to the invasion of Greece in 1940, sparking resistance from Greek defenders backed by British support.
Greek forces, despite facing harsh terrain and air support, successfully repelled Italian attacks in battles like Elaia-Kalamas and Pindus, leading to a counteroffensive and demoralizing the Italian army.
The British evacuation from Crete amidst German advances showcased the strategic importance of the island, with the Germans ultimately gaining control through Operation Merkur, despite British resistance and naval losses.

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Recent questions

What prompted the Italian invasion of Greece?
Italian nationalists sought territorial expansion.

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Summary

00:00

Italian Invasion of Greece: World War II's Forgotten Conflict

The Italian invasion of Greece and Battle of Crete are lesser-known parts of World War II.
Italian nationalists sought to expand their empire, leading to the rise of Fascism in Italy.
Greece faced political turmoil, with a pro-Fascist government established under Ioannis Metaxas.
Metaxas declared neutrality as war loomed over Europe, but Italian-Greek relations deteriorated.
Italy planned to invade Greece in 1940, but delayed due to engagements in North Africa and the Mediterranean.
Mussolini's son-in-law, Count Galeazzo Ciano, influenced plans to invade Greece for territorial gains.
Greece, backed by British support, prepared for the Italian invasion, with forces mobilized.
Italian forces advanced into Greece through three sectors, facing resistance from Greek defenders.
The Battle of Elaia-Kalamas saw Greek forces repel Italian attacks despite harsh terrain and air support.
In the Battle of Pindus, Greek reinforcements halted the Italian advance, leading to a counteroffensive.

13:54

Greek Offensive Forces Italian Retreat

Italian forces first occupied Mount Tambouri north of Samarina and sent cavalry in an encircling maneuver behind the town, leading to heavy casualties for the "Julia."
Vrachnos reoccupied Samarina and Vovousa, defeating the Alpini division and trapping Girotti's forces at Distrato.
Greeks prepared for a dual attack to dislodge the Italians from Gomara, launching a decisive attack on the Julia on November 5.
Greek cavalry flanked Alpini positions, while the 7th Battalion aimed to capture western heights, eventually expelling the Julia from the heights.
Italian resistance continued, but the 7th's move to cut off the escape road signaled defeat for Girotti's forces.
Greek civilians heroically supplied the army due to poor Greek and Italian supply situations.
Greeks launched a steady offensive, advancing into the Albanian-Greek frontier line and attacking Konitsa on November 13.
Papagos planned a major offensive to take Korçë, organizing forces into three Army Corps and placing divisions in reserve.
Greeks successfully advanced, leading to the Fall of Korçë and demoralizing the Italian army.
Greeks continued their offensive towards Sarande, with Soddu creating a new defensive line to hold off the Greek advance.

27:08

Greek Victory in Albanian Campaign

Soddu reinforced his army with the 5th “Pousteria'' Alpine Division and the 37th “Modena” Division.
General Vercellino’s 9th Army retreated to the Pogradec-Kamia-Ostrobista Line to defend Elbasan.
The Balkan winter weakened the Italians, unaccustomed to the cold, as most troops came from North Africa.
General Kosmas’ “K” Corps took Leskoviki and was reorganized into the 5th Corps to secure connections.
The Greeks faced resistance from the “Ferrara” and “Modena” Divisions at Kakavia.
The 8th Division was reinforced by the 3rd Division, leading to the Italians retreating from Kakavia.
The 13th Division overcame the Italians at Pogradec, leading to its capture on December 4th.
Mussolini accused Greeks of aiding the British, while Hitler criticized Italian failures.
Reinforcements for the Italians were slow, leading to demoralization and a desire for an armistice.
Cavallero replaced Soddu, ordered a retreat to the Shkumbin river, and faced valiant Greek rear-guard actions.

40:20

Italian Spring Offensive Ends in Defeat

General Gastone Gambara’s 8th Corps planned to capture the Klisura Pass and advance towards Leskoviki and Ioannina.
The attack involved eight divisions, with the “Centauro” and “Piemonte” in reserve.
General Bakos was appointed commander of the 2nd Corps, with the 17th in reserve.
The Spring Offensive began with an artillery barrage and air bombardment.
The “Puglie” Division aimed to secure Hills 717 and 731 against General Vasileios Vrachnos’ 1st Division.
Despite initial setbacks, the “Puglie” Division persisted in capturing Hill 717.
Italian attacks on Hill 731 were repeatedly repelled by the Greek forces.
The Italians faced failures on various fronts, with the 8th Division halting advances towards Mecgorane.
The Italians suffered heavy losses, with numerous failed attempts to take Hill 731.
The Spring Offensive ended in defeat for the Italians, with the operation halting on March 25th.

54:22

Allied forces defend against German Blitzkrieg

Wilson's forces at Aliakmon were withdrawing to a new defensive position on Mount Olympus.
Mackay's forces were defending the Klidi Pass, aiming to gain time.
The 9th Division, reinforced with the SS Adolf Hitler regiment, took Vevi on April 11th.
The Germans launched a Blitzkrieg attack on Klidi, aiming to capture the road to Kozani.
New Zealand machine-gun detachments held off German forces at Klidi Pass.
Greek forces managed to withdraw to Klisoura heights, shielding their allies.
British road demolitions delayed German forces, aiding the Allied retreat.
Australians offered resistance at Sotir, with tanks deterring German infantry attacks.
Germans pursued the retreating Australians, facing obstacles and demolitions.
Wilson's forces established a new defensive line at Thermopylae, preparing for evacuation to Crete.

01:08:36

Evacuation and Invasion: British Retreat in Greece

The British forces attempted to gain access to the isthmus from the west by crossing over to the Peloponnesus at Patras.
On April 27th, they met with paratroopers in Corinth and learned of the fall of Athens.
The British evacuated mostly at night, using small ports like Nafplio, Kalamata, and Monemvasia, evacuating over 20,000 troops.
German forces under Dietrich and Bohme met at Kalamata on April 29th, capturing 8,000 British and Yugoslav prisoners.
The Germans lost around 5,000 men during the campaign, ending hostilities by April 30th.
The British successfully evacuated about 50,000 soldiers to Crete but lost 11,840 men in the hasty retreat.
The Kingdom of Greece was invaded by Fascist Italy in late October 1940, prompting British reinforcement of Crete.
Hitler launched Operation Marita in April 1941, invading the Greek mainland and occupying the country in 24 days.
General Kurt Student led an airborne invasion of Crete, codenamed Operation Merkur, with 15,000 men in three groups.
The Germans gained the upper hand in Crete, seizing strategic locations like Maleme airfield and gaining numeral superiority.

01:22:59

Battle of Crete: Naval Losses and Evacuation

Gloucester and Fiji were sunk during the battle.
Lord Louis Mountbatten's 5th Destroyer Flotilla from Malta, consisting of five destroyers, was sent to reinforce the naval forces.
Stukas successfully sank the destroyers Kashmir and Kelly, but Mountbatten and his crew were saved by the destroyer Kipling.
The British fleet was forced to leave the area around Crete on May 23rd due to heavy losses, consolidating the Luftwaffe's triumph.
Vasey's forces managed to defeat the Germans at the southern hills of Rethymnon, forcing the paratroopers to retreat.
The British launched counterattacks at various locations, with successes and setbacks, ultimately leading to an evacuation from the island.

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