1941: The European Front
The European Front
"...The fundamental lack of Italian action in the North African front was primarily due to politics. The commander of Italian forces in Libya was the popular and competent Governor of Libya - Italo Balbo. Balbo's popularity meant that Mussolini saw him as a potential rival. As a result, Mussolini stripped the Libyan front of much needed materiel, men and supplies and ordered Balbo to maintain a defensive posture. Jealous of the success of Italy's German allies in Scandinavia, Mussolini would seek Italian conquests in the Balkans..."
(1)
The Italian Naval Base at Taranto pictured. Not shown is the early warning systems established in the wake of the sinking of the Chinese Navy at port which led to Italian victory at Taranto.
"First however, Italy needed to get rid of a running sore on her foot. Malta had been under siege since Italian entry into the Second Great War and was now exposed due to British defeat at the Battle of Taranto the year before. The Battle of Taranto was an attempt at attacking the
Regia Marina in December 1940 while she was at port in the naval base at Taranto. However, Italian planners had learned from the destruction of the Chinese Navy at the onset of the Second Great War and had set up early warning systems. The result was a bloodbath for the British Royal Navy, with the brand new HMS Illustrious, and half of her escorts being sunk due to a sortie of the Regia Marina and air cover provided by the
Regia Aeronautica for a loss of only two aircraft on the Italian side and a damaged destroyer..."
(2) The Giulio Cesare firing guns at Malta. This was part of a merciless two month bombardment campaign by air and sea which prevented reinforcements and paralyzed the garrison.
"...Italian victory at Taranto had not only given the Fascist regime a much needed victory, it also changed the balance of power in the Mediterrenean. Accordingly, plans which had been made pre-war were bought into action. In order to demonstrate Italian independence and put Mussolini's theory of the "Parallel War" into action, German aid which was offered was refused completely. Italy would take Malta by herself without help from what Mussolini saw as overbearing German 'Allies.' Preparations were made, an extensive campaign of naval and air bombardment began in January 1941 and 40,000 Italian troops landed in February 26. The demoralized, exhausted and outnumbered British garrison surrendered a day later. The stunning Italian triumph meant that Italy was one step closer of realizing her dream of the Mediterranean as an "Italian lake..."
"....Italy had two rough options in the aftermath of Malta. Option 1 was the "African Plan" which was to build up forces in Libya under the command of Balbo and then invade Egypt, cutting off British access to the Suez Canal. Option II was to expand across the Balkans and set up a sphere of influence in that direction. Although later military historians would argue that Option I was the correct 'strategic decision,' the reality of Fascist politics meant that Mussolini did not dare empower Balbo. If a triumphant Balbo drove the British across Egypt and seized the canal, then the Fascist Grand Council might have considered Balbo as a suitable replacement. Faced with this political dilemma, Mussolini opted for Option II."
(3) Yugoslavian leader Prince Paul with Adolf Hitler after the accession of Yugoslavia into the
"Pact of Steel."
"...However, there were also important strategic considerations in pursuing a "Balkan Strategy." Combined Italo-German diplomacy had forced the accession of Yugoslavia into the Pact of Steel on March 27 1941. This meant that the only thing standing in the way of Axis dominance in the Mediterranean was Greece. Greece would face attacks on three fronts, the Bulgarian front, the Yugoslavian front and the Albanian front. While German troops would not take part in any of the attacks, there was an upsurge of German "Volunteers" and "Advisers" in both the Bulgarian and Yugoslavian armies. (Indeed, these 'volunteers' would help crush an attempted pro-Entete coup attempted on 1 April 1941...)"
(4)
Greek forces digging trenches in anticipation of the conflict.
"...Meanwhile, while the Axis Powers prepared to attack, they were busy at work preparing a diplomatic fait accompli. Italy, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria with German diplomatic support presented a proposal which would've effectively dismembered Greece, surrendering border territories to Italy, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia, acceding to the Tripartite Pact and placing a pro-Axis government in control of the country. When these terms were refused, the Axis powers declared war and Greece formally became part of the Entente on the 22 June 1941. France and Britain, the two primary powers of the Entete had prepared for such an eventuality and actually had a expeditionary force ready to go. The Franco-British Expeditionary Force (FBEF) was 200,000 strong and composed of French colonial troops, ANZAC troops, British troops and even some Indian troops. They were supplemented by an air corps consisting of French and British planes, but these planes were mostly obsolete ones that had been taken off service from 'important' fronts.
"...Outnumbered, outgunned and quite often outflanked, the Entente defenders put up a valiant, but losing struggle. The sheer weight of Axis materiel and manpower combined with Italian air superiority and the tenuous allied supply lines meant that Greece would fall by December (although Crete would not fall until February 1942.) The FBEF, along with 100,000 Greek troops were successfully evacuated to Egypt. Greece was an exhausting battle for the Axis however, and in many ways a Phyrric victory. Nonetheless, as Greece was dismembered three ways and a puppet pro-Axis government was established in Athens - it did not feel like a victory..."
The Western Front:
The Western Front continued to remain as a stalemate, as German troops were redelpoyed to serve as "Volunteers" in the armies of her Balkan allies and the Franco-British troops were redeployed to the Greek front. It was a cliche, but the Western front had stabilized and stagnated strategically. It seemed as if both the Axis and Entente had decided that the war would be won or lost somewhere else and thus things were all quiet on the western front.
Sources:
(1)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tarantoharb1921.jpg
(2)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Malta_(World_War_II)#Italian_invasion_plans
(3)
http://www.princepaulroyalexile.com/synopsis.html
(4)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Italian_War
Next update: Will probably be about the various Home Fronts.
