Aggression of Italy against Greece and the consequences of failure of Italian expansion
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Abstract
Basic motives of the Italian October 1940 aggression against
Greece are reviewed and analyzed in this article, together with the
results and consequences of Greek victories over Italians which were
relevant for the development of events in the Balkans in 1941.
Successes of Germany in the West and its fast penetration to the
South-East, and particularly the entering of German troops in Rumania
at the beginning of October 1940, stimulated Mussolini to attack war will quickly end in favour of Italy.
Due to preparations of Germany for the attack against the USSR,
Hitler’s interest was not the expanding of war to the Balkans. That is
why he tried to persuade Mussolini not to attack Greece. But when
the attack began, Hitler believed that Italy shall soon overcome
Greece, so that he aimed all his efforts to prevent the intervention of
some neighbouring countries into the conflict.
However, the Greeks — unified and determined to defend themselves
as much as they could — not only did not give in but instead
succeeded to defeat a much more numerous Italian army, while seriously
challenging to throw out the occupation armies from Albania
and the Balkans.
Even new offensives by the Italian army did not bring to Mussolini
any success. The other Axis power — Germany, therefore had
to engage itself in oppressing the resistance of the Greek people.
Heroic resistance of the Greek people during the six month
period against one of the Axis powers had deeply influenced further
developments and relations at the South-East of Europe. The victory
of Greek arms discovered to the world the weakness of the block of
totalitarian powers, while at the same time contributing to the weakening
of internal confidence between Germany and Italy. The resistance
of Greek people against a powerful aggressor contributed to
the strengthening of anti-fascist powers in the neighbouring countries,
as well as to reviving the faith that even the small countries are able
to resist the aggression by the great powers. By its bravery and unity
in the struggles against more numerous enemy, the Greek people confirmed
its permanent adherence to the traditions of the liberation
struggle.
Greece are reviewed and analyzed in this article, together with the
results and consequences of Greek victories over Italians which were
relevant for the development of events in the Balkans in 1941.
Successes of Germany in the West and its fast penetration to the
South-East, and particularly the entering of German troops in Rumania
at the beginning of October 1940, stimulated Mussolini to attack war will quickly end in favour of Italy.
Due to preparations of Germany for the attack against the USSR,
Hitler’s interest was not the expanding of war to the Balkans. That is
why he tried to persuade Mussolini not to attack Greece. But when
the attack began, Hitler believed that Italy shall soon overcome
Greece, so that he aimed all his efforts to prevent the intervention of
some neighbouring countries into the conflict.
However, the Greeks — unified and determined to defend themselves
as much as they could — not only did not give in but instead
succeeded to defeat a much more numerous Italian army, while seriously
challenging to throw out the occupation armies from Albania
and the Balkans.
Even new offensives by the Italian army did not bring to Mussolini
any success. The other Axis power — Germany, therefore had
to engage itself in oppressing the resistance of the Greek people.
Heroic resistance of the Greek people during the six month
period against one of the Axis powers had deeply influenced further
developments and relations at the South-East of Europe. The victory
of Greek arms discovered to the world the weakness of the block of
totalitarian powers, while at the same time contributing to the weakening
of internal confidence between Germany and Italy. The resistance
of Greek people against a powerful aggressor contributed to
the strengthening of anti-fascist powers in the neighbouring countries,
as well as to reviving the faith that even the small countries are able
to resist the aggression by the great powers. By its bravery and unity
in the struggles against more numerous enemy, the Greek people confirmed
its permanent adherence to the traditions of the liberation
struggle.
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