Invasion of Greece (Peace With The East)

The Invasion of Greece, also known as the Battle of Greece, was the Italian and later German invasion of Greece. In Germany it is known as Operation Marita. The invasion began in October 1940 and lasted until April 30, 1941. The invasion of Greece, along with the Battle of Crete and the invasion of Yugoslavia, is known as the Balkans Campaign of World War II (Peace With The East).

The invasion began with the Italian assault on Greece in October. Stiff Greek defense prevented any Italian gains, and the Italians were eventually pushed out and nearly lost Albania. Following a failed counterattack in March, the Italians asks for the Germans help, who attacked in April. German forces defeated the heavily exhausted Greek troops, and captured Athens. Following the conquest of Peloponnese, the Greeks were defeated and the Axis began to occupy the nations.

The Greeks campaign would have delayed the German Operation Barbossa, but the Nazis decided to postpone the invasion and focus on North Africa. The conquest of Greece would help the Germans attack Crete later that year and later Turkey in 1953. Despite the efforts of several rebel groups, Greece still remains under joint occupation between the Germans and Italians.