1. Operation 25 & Operation Marita
Emily D’Arcy, Joe Spaniac, Mariana Salazar
McGoorty/Myers
Block 3/4
April 25, 2017

2. Thesis
Following Italian defeat, the string of Axis military successes in the Balkans led to overconfidence on the part of Adolf Hitler —who by opening a Western front prompted Allied victory— ending World War Two.
Joe

3. Axis Invasion of the Balkans Timeline
September, 1939
Germany invades Poland. England and France declare war.
March 25, 1941
Prince Paul signs the Tripartite Pact.
April 17, 1941
Yugoslavia leadership surrenders to Germany. King Peter establishes a government-in-exile. Military men flee into the mountains.
April 14, 1941
Yugoslavian forces defeated at Monistar gap, clearing the way to Greece.
August 25, 1942
Battle of Stalingrad begins.
April 8, 1941 Germany bombs Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
May, 1945
Tito’s forces link up with British forces north of Italy. Germans officially driven out of Yugoslavia.
October 28, Italy tries to invade Greece.
April 16, 1941
Allied forces in Greece are in full retreat.
April 27, 1941
Axis forces officially occupy Athens, ending Greek resistance.
November 10, 1940
Italian forces retreat.
April 6, 1941
Operation Marita begins.
1943
Axis Invasion of the Balkans Timeline
1940
1941
1942
1944
1945
April 20, 1941
Greek forces surrender to German and Italian forces.
September, 1940
Japan, Italy, and Germany sign the Tripartite Pact.
End of 1941
Internal fighting between the Chetniks and the Yugoslav Communists leads to effectively a three front war in Yugoslavia.
March 27, 1941
Serbian nationalists overthrow the regency. Hitler orders invasion.
October 1944
Tito joins forces with Russian, US, and UK forces.
Key:
April 12, 1941 Germans take the Yugoslavian capital Belgrade.
Major Events
November, 1943 Allies provide Tito and the Yugoslav Communists with much needed reinforcements.
April 9, 1941 Germans take Metaxas Line and Salonika.
Spring 1943:
Germans begin their final offensive, but Tito escapes.
Operation 25
April 27-30, 1941
German forces attempt to surround Allied forces retreating. They fail.
Operation Marita

4. The Axis invasion of Yugoslavia
Operation 25
The Axis invasion of Yugoslavia

5. Background on Operation 25
-Axis powers ask Yugoslavia to join the pact (Axelrod)
-Yugoslav government was deeply divided between Serbs and Croats (Axelrod)
- Prince Paul of Yugoslavia signs pact, which leads to a coup by the Serbs. He is overthrown. ("Axis Invasion of Yugoslavia.")
-Serbs in power don't adhere to axis pact (Axelrod)
- Hitler is furious and orders “Directive 25” (Axelrod)
Serbs are pro allies, Croats are pro Axis. Prince Paul was pressured to sign the pact because he was surrounded by German allies. Germany controlled their foreign trade and owned many important mines.
Mariana

6. Timeline Operation 25
-September 1939: Germany invades Poland. England and France declare war on Germany.
-September 1940: Japan, Italy and Germany sign Tripartite Pact.
-March : Prince Paul of Yugoslavia signs Tripartite Pact.
-March : Serbian Nationalists overthrow the regency. Hitler orders invasion.
-April : Germany bombs Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
-April : Germans take the Yugoslavian capital Belgrade
-April : Yugoslavia falls to Germany and King Peter flees, and establishes a government-in-exile. Military men flee into the mountains
-End of 1941: Internal conflicts within the partisan resistance leads to a three front war
-November 1943: Allied powers provide Tito with reinforcements
-Spring 1943: Germans begin their final offensive, but Tito and rebels escape
-October 1944: Tito joins Russian, US, and UK forces
-May 1945: Tito joins British forces north of Italy. Germans are officially driven out.
Emily

7. Map
Joe

8. Who’s Who Allied Powers: -Yugoslavia -Prince Paul -Josip Bronz Tito
-Peter II
Axis Powers:
-Germany
-Adolf Hitler
-Wilhelm List
-Paul von Kleist

9. Allied Powers Leaders & Tactics

10. Josip Bronz Tito -Fought in World War I (“Tito.”).
-“He was captured by the Russians in 1917 and witnessed the
Bolshevik revolution that fall” (“Tito.”).
-Becomes an agent of Communism
-Stalin orders him to remain neutral (non-aggression pact)
-Follows orders until Hitler invades
- Good partisan/guerrilla fighter
-(more on next slide)
Mariana

11. Evidence I
Tito became one of “history’s most brilliant guerrilla fighters for, always outnumbered and outgunned, he defied all attempts to eradicate his little band” (“Tito.”).
-Eventually, conflict with Dragoljub Mihailović led to an internal civil war, and ideal conditions for German Blitzkrieg tactics and success (“World War II in Greece and the Balkans.”).
-Coupled with German success in occupying Greece, Axis Powers became overconfident, invading Russia, and prompting Allied Victory.
-Because of this he eventually pushes the Germans out of Yugoslavia (only guerrilla leader to do so) (“Tito.”).
Emily

12. Dragoljub (Draža) Mihailović
-Yugoslav Serb General (Biber).
-Organized a guerrilla band (Chetniks) (Biber).
- First resistance movement against Germany
-Partnered with England until Tito (Biber).
-Retreated to the mountains near Belgrade when Germany took over Yugoslavia
Joe

13. Prince Paul of Yugoslavia
-Rules Yugoslavia before German invasion
- Signed the Tripartite act because he felt pressured by Germany and by their allies
-Also Yugoslavia = nearby
-The people revolted against him
-Overthrown
-Uncle of Peter II
Mariana

14. Peter II -King of Yugoslavia (1934-41) (O’Brian)
-Succeeded his father, after he was assassinated
-Uncle (Prince Paul) acted as regent until a pro-Allied military coup removed him (1941)
-Ruled for a month after the Axis Powers invade (O’Brian)
-Fled to London and created a government-in-exile
-Moved to the US after the monarchy was abolished by Tito (1945)
Emily

15. Allied Tactics
-Tito was a highly effective leader/commander (Axelrod).
-His forces pinned down more than 35 Axis divisions (around 750,000 men) with 200,000 men
-Used partisan (guerrilla) tactics to drive German forces out ("Josip Broz Tito.").
-Dispute with Draja leads to a civil war & stalemate ("Josip Broz Tito.")
-Ends with UK + US enforcements arrive ("Josip Broz Tito.").
-By constantly eluding German forces, Tito’s forces were eventually victorious ("Josip Broz Tito.").
Joe

16. Axis Powers Leaders & Tactics

17. Adolf Hitler -Wanted the people, land, and resources of Yugoslavia
-Ordered both Operation 25 and Operation Marita to initiate the invasion of Yugoslavia (“Hitler, Adolf.”)
-Led to the occupation of Yugoslavia and Greece (“Hitler, Adolf.”)
-Aka the Balkans
Mariana

18. Wilhelm List
-Officer in both WWI and WWII (“List, Siegmund Wilhelm Von.”).
-Commanded fourteenth army during invasion of Poland (“List, Siegmund Wilhelm Von.”)
-Commanded twelfth army in the Balkans (“List, Siegmund Wilhelm Von.”).
-Eventually assumed control of Army Group A in the Soviet theater.
Emily

19. Emily: for the map you're basically just pointing and saying whatever is on the map, about secs

20. Paul Von Kleist
-Was a lieutenant / commander during WWI (“Kleist, Paul Ludwig Von.”).
-During WWII (“Kleist, Paul Ludwig Von.”):
-Spearheaded the invasion into the Balkans
-Commanded 1st Panzer Group
-Directly disobeyed Hitler
-Independent-minded
-Disdained the Nazis
“He repeatedly defied Hitler's orders for suicidal stands and the abuse or outright genocide of indigenous populations” (“Kleist, Paul Ludwig Von.”).
Joe

21. Emily: for the map you're basically just pointing and saying whatever is on the map, about secs

22. -Used Blitzkrieg (“World War II in Greece and the Balkans.”).
Axis Tactics
“Hitler installed a puppet regime under the ostensible leadership of General Milan Nedić, then instituted a policy of ‘Germanizing’ Yugoslavia” (Axelrod).
-Re-invades Yugoslavia after the ensuing civil war ("Josip Broz Tito.")
-Used Blitzkrieg (“World War II in Greece and the Balkans.”).
-Take Yugoslavia in around 9 days
-Hitler authorized a genocidal campaign against the Serb minority and other “undesirables” (Axelrod).
- Big mistake (triggered Serbian resistance, which was effective against German occupation)
Emily

23. Evidence II
“The invasions of Greece and Yugoslavia were examples of Blitzkrieg at its most efficient and devastating” (“World War II in Greece and the Balkans.”).
-Originally Italian forces were unable to invade Greece, forcing German forces to make their own attempt (“World War II in Greece and the Balkans.”).
-In comparison, German forces were able to capture Belgrade in around 9 days without many German casualties, prompting over confidence, even arrogance, over their military prowess
-Using Blitzkrieg they were able to take control of Greece just as quickly
-These quick battles lacking in German casualties, allowed Hitler to gain the confidence that would eventually be his downfall by opening another front.
Joe

24. -Powers split Yugoslavia between them:
Impacts
-Powers split Yugoslavia between them:
- “Germany annexed northern and eastern Slovenia” (Holocaust Encyclopedia)
- “Italy annexed southern and eastern Slovenia, occupied the Yugoslav coastline along the Adriatic Sea” (Holocaust Encyclopedia)
-Italy had annexed Kosovo-Metohija to Albania in April 1939 (Holocaust Encyclopedia)
-Axis powers temporarily gained control of Yugoslavian resources.
-Yugoslavia became a Communist nation after Tito’s eventual victory (Axelrod).
Mariana

25. The Axis invasion of Greece
Operation Marita
The Axis invasion of Greece

26. Background on Operation Marita
-Mussolini attempts to invade Greece but fails. (“Axis Occupation of Greece.”)
-Germany sends troops through Yugoslavia to attack Greece. (“Axis Occupation of Greece.”)
-Hitler wanted Athens and Greek ports to be under Germany’s possession. (“Axis Occupation of Greece.”)
-Hitler wanted to solidify his control over the northeastern Mediterranean (“Axis Occupation of Greece.”)
Mussolini wants to invade greece because they refused to let him pass through their territory
Mariana

27. Timeline Operation Marita
-October : Italy invades Greece
-November : Italian force is held off by Greek resistance and UK’s RAF
-April : Hitler takes on the double invasion of Greece and Yugoslavia
-April : German 12th Army defeats Greek defensive and captures port city
of Salonika
-April : German forces defeat Yugoslavian forces at Monistar Gap, clearing path into Greece to cut Albanian forces off
-April : Allied forces retreat
-April : Greek forces surrender
-April : Axis Nations officially occupy Greece
-April : Axis Nations attempt to surround retreating Allied forces, but fail.
Emily

28. Map
Joe

29. Who’s Who Allied Powers: -Great Britain -Maitland Wilson -Greece
-Alexander Papagos
Axis Powers:
-Italy
-Mussolini
-Ubaldo Soddu
-Germany
-Hitler

30. Allied Powers Leaders & Tactics

31. Henry Maitland Wilson -Born in London, UK -“Jumbo Wilson”
-Led two infantry divisions and an armored brigade to help defend Greece from an Italian/German attack. (Wilson, Henry “Jumbo”)
-His forces were too spread out, forced him to retreat to Crete
-Papagos also told him to retreat
Joe

32. joe

33. Alexandros Papagos
-Officer in the Greek army during Greek invasion (“Papagos, Alexandros.”)
-Led a conventional defense against the Italians (“Papagos, Alexandros.”).
-Drives forces back to Albania
-Could not offer enough resistance to the Germans (“Papagos, Alexandros.”).
-Greece = occupied
-Papagos moved to Germany as a hostage (“Papagos, Alexandros.”).
-Liberated by allies in 1945 (“Papagos, Alexandros.”).
Mariana

34. Mariana

35. Allied Tactics -Papagos holds Italians using the Metaxas line
-Fortifications to prevent Bulgarian invasion
-Around 57,000 British forces in Greece (“World War II in Greece and the Balkans.”).
-Air attacks by British Royal Air Force (RAF) (“World War II in Greece and the Balkans.”).
-Coupled with 150,000 skillfully deployed men & determination led to domination
-Can’t hold German Blitzkrieg off, Papagos orders the Allied forces retreat (“World War II in Greece and the Balkans.”)
-British troops shipped out of Crete
Emily

36. Axis Powers Leaders & Tactics

37. Benito Mussolini
-Mussolini demands passage through Greek territory. (“Axis occupation of Greece” )
- Greek dictator Ioannis Metaxas says “no”
- Italy attacks, expecting an easy win. (“Axis occupation of Greece” )
-Italy is pushed back to Albania
-Winter causes stalemate.
-Hitler can’t stand the result so he attacks Greece. (“Axis occupation of Greece” )
Joe
Metaxas rejected it because accepting it would be a major humiliation to greece
FUN FACT: Ioannis’ rejection of Italy’s proposal is a national holiday

38. Joe: just point

39. Ubaldo Soddu
-General who faced the determined Greek counteroffensive (“World War II in Greece and the Balkans.”).
-Driven out by Papagos
Emily

40. Blitzkrieg Axis Tactics
-Divided Greece, and the forces within (“World War II in Greece and the Balkans.”).
-Separated the Greek and English forces
-Attempted to encircle retreating Allied forces (“World War II in Greece and the Balkans.”)
-Captured Papagos to prevent further resistance
Blitzkrieg
Emily

41. Tactics with map
Mariana/ anyone: point

42. Impacts
-Germany gained land from both invasions (“Work War II and the Balkans”)
-Also resources
-Led to Battle of Crete and intensive bombing of British soldiers by German Luftwaffe attacks. (“World War II in Greece and the Balkans”)
Mariana

43. Evidence IV
“In June 1941, Hitler made a catastrophic decision to open up a new front by invading the Soviet Union” (“World War II”).
-Following the various military victories throughout the Balkans (Both Yugoslavia and Greece), Hitler made the fatal decision to invade the Soviet Union (“World War II”).
-By opening a western front, Hitler’s forces became overwhelmed, and they were eventually defeated by the Allied forces.
Joe

44. Works Cited I
Adolf Hitler. N.d. History Today. Web. 23 Apr <
Alexandros Papagos. N.d. Web. Apr
<
Axelrod, Alan. “Wilson, Henry "Jumbo"” Encyclopedia of World War II, Vol. 2, Facts On File, History Research Center
Axelrod, Alan. “Kleist, Paul Ludwig Von.” Encyclopedia of World War II, Vol. 2, Facts On File, History Research Center,
online.infobase.com/Article/Details/265170?q=Paul von Kleist. Accessed 2017.
Axelrod, Alan. “List, Siegmund Wilhelm Von.” Encyclopedia of World War II, Vol. 2, Facts On File, History Research Center,
online.infobase.com/Article/Details/265004?q=wilhelm list. Accessed 2017.
Axelrod, Alan. “Papagos, Alexandros.” Encyclopedia of World War II, Vol. 2, Facts On File, History Research Center,
online.infobase.com/Article/Details/265042?q=papagos. Accessed 2017.
Axelrod, Alan. “Yugoslavia during World War II.” Encyclopedia of World War II, Vol. 2, Facts On File, History Research Center,
online.infobase.com/Article/Details/265236?q=invasion of yugoslavia. Accessed 2017.

45. Works Cited II
Axelrod, Alan, and Charles L. Phillips. “Hitler, Adolf.” Dictators and Tyrants, Facts On File, History Research Center,
online.infobase.com/Article/Details/245166?q=invasion of yugoslavia hitler. Accessed 2017.
Axelrod, Alan, and Charles L. Phillips. “World War II in Greece and the Balkans.” Wars in the Early 20th Century (1900 to 1950),
Facts On File, History Research Center, online.infobase.com/Article/Details/207761?q=battle of greece World War Two. Accessed 2017.
Axis Alliance in World War II. Digital image. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum,
n.d. Web. 20 Apr
“AXIS ALLIANCE.” United States Holocaust Museum, . Accessed 23 Apr
"Axis Invasion of Yugoslavia." United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, n.d. Web. 20
Apr

46. Works Cited III
“Axis Occupation of Greece.” History in Literature, Facts On File, History Research Center,
online.infobase.com/Article/Details/45372?q=battle of greece. Accessed 2017.
Benito Mussolini. N.d. Web. Apr
<
m=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj-iObC-bnTAhVD_4MKHQ5gCG0Q_AUIBigB&biw=1440&bih=826#imgrc=Si_7xNfC85KUuM:>.
Biber, Dusan. "Britain, Mihailovic, and the Chetniks, " The Journal of Military History, vol. 62, no. 4, 1998, pp ,
History Study Center, .
“Dragoljub Mihailović.” Kingdom of Yugoslavia in World War II, kingdom-of-yugoslavia-in-ww2.com/general-draza-mihailovic/.
Accessed 24 Apr
Flag of Greece. N.d. World Atlas. Web. 23 Apr <

47. Works Cited IV
Fredriksen, John C. "Josip Broz Tito." World History: The Modern Era, ABC-CLIO, 2017,
worldhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/ Accessed 22 Apr
Fredriksen, John C. “Tito.” Biographical Dictionary of Modern World Leaders: 1900–1991, Facts On File, History Research
Center, online.infobase.com/Article/Details/259282?q=invasion of yugoslavia. Accessed 2017.
Henry Maitland Wilson. N.d. Web. Apr <
INVASION OF THE BALKANS APRIL N.d. Web. <
“Josip Bronz Tito.” ww2gravestone.com/people/tito-josip-broz/. Accessed 23 Apr
King Peter II of Yugoslavia. Digital image. Royal Family of Serbia. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr
O'Brien, Patrick K. “Peter II.” Encyclopedia of World History (George Philips), Facts On File, History Research Center,
online.infobase.com/Article/Details/255032?q=invasion of yugoslavia. Accessed 2017.
Operation Marita April N.d. Web. 23 Apr
<

48. Works Cited V Paul Von Kleist. N.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2017.
<
Peter II. N.d. Royal Family. Web. 23 Apr <
“Prince Paul of Yugoslavia.” Royal Family, Accessed 23 Apr
Prince Peter II of Yugoslavia. Digital image. Royal Family of Serbia. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr
The Balkans, N.d. Emerson Kent. Web. 24 Apr
Ubaldo Soddu. N.d. Web. <
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. “Introduction to the Holocaust.” Holocaust Encyclopedia.
Accessed 2017.
Wilhelm List. Digital image. Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Apr Web. 22 Apr
World Atlas. Digital image. World Atlas - Maps, Geography, Travel. World Atlas, 12 July Web. 20 Apr

49. Works Cited VI
“World War II.” History in Literature, Facts On File, History Research Center,
online.infobase.com/Article/Details/45537?q=battle of greece World War Two. Accessed 2017.