Italy in Greece and Yugoslavia
-Italians decide to try and establish themselves by attacking the Greeks
-They are unsuccessful
-Choose bad time of the year in October
-Germans have to bail them out 'Operation Marita'
-Also attack Yugoslavia with 'Operation Punishment'
-Detrimental because it delays Operation Barbarossa, The Attack on Russia
-They are unsuccessful
-Choose bad time of the year in October
-Germans have to bail them out 'Operation Marita'
-Also attack Yugoslavia with 'Operation Punishment'
-Detrimental because it delays Operation Barbarossa, The Attack on Russia
When Italy attacked Greece and Yugoslavia we see one of the biggest turning points in the war. When Italy's army proves themselves inept the German army had to come to the rescue and bail them out; this however proved disastrous. If Italy had not Invaded Yugoslavia and not needed Germany's help then Operation Barbarossa, the attack on Russia, would have gone ahead according to plan and Germany would not have had to fight in the winter time. Using Scorched Earth tactics the Russians were able to beat the Germans because they were used to the cold and had the resources.