Greece
The Battle of Greece is of great significance to the Greek people of the time and today. The conflict at the time was to obtain freedom from the Axis powers, Italy and Germany, and the fact that it was a defense of their country was a major contributor to the spirits of the men fighting the war at the time. This is a common theme in both the Greco-Italian War and the Battle of Greece, as both were defensive operations in response to aggressive actions carried out from the Axis powers. Greece lost nearly 60,000 troops in conflict with Italy, and over 13,000 in the struggle with the Wehrmacht. This loss of would have an impact not only on the military of Greece, but also individuals, families will have lost fathers and sons, which is why the Battle of Greece and the campaigns in the Balkans remains of major significance to the Greece today.
Furthermore the defeat of Greece and the Allies in the battle would lead to the Triple Occupation of Greece by Germany, Italy and Bulgaria. This was a major political outcome of the Battle of Greece, and the Axis withdrawal at the end of World War 2 would lead to internal conflict in Greece between several opposing government forces. Ultimately this would result in the Greek civil war, which shaped the way the Greek government operates today. This is another significant aspect of the Battle of Greece.
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New Zeland
New Zealand was heavily involved in the conflict during the Battle of Greece, and such the event remains significant to New Zealand. Although not remembered with the same glory as past campaigns, such as the ANZAC forces operating in Gallipoli in the first World War, Greece bears many resemblance to this particular event. Many of the efforts New Zealand took part in were with the Allied Campaign Corps, which included the Australian expeditionary force, in Greece New Zealand and Australian troops fought side by side just as they had before. Although casualties in Gallipoli were much more severe than those in Greece, New Zealand still lost 291 men, with an additional 387 wounded, and 1,826 prisoners taken. This would have created a social impact back home in New Zealand, with families losing fathers and sons, the loss of these lives is still remembered in New Zealand.
As a country, New Zealand was not made aware that our troops were in Greece until the 7th of April, the day after the Battle of Greece had begun, but the hearts of New Zealand society were behind its troops, and many felt that New Zealand was doing well to defend Greece against invasion by Axis forces.
Although the Battle of Greece is not a hugely remembered and revered event in New Zealand military history, it was a precursor to the Battle of Crete, a conflict which is regarded to be a far more relevant part of New Zealand's contribution to World War 2. Both of these campaigns caused New Zealand as a country to form strengthened bonds with Greece and Crete, and result in a long lasting friendship between these nations.
As a country, New Zealand was not made aware that our troops were in Greece until the 7th of April, the day after the Battle of Greece had begun, but the hearts of New Zealand society were behind its troops, and many felt that New Zealand was doing well to defend Greece against invasion by Axis forces.
Although the Battle of Greece is not a hugely remembered and revered event in New Zealand military history, it was a precursor to the Battle of Crete, a conflict which is regarded to be a far more relevant part of New Zealand's contribution to World War 2. Both of these campaigns caused New Zealand as a country to form strengthened bonds with Greece and Crete, and result in a long lasting friendship between these nations.
World War 2
The overall purpose of the Allies defending Greece had been to establish an outpost in the Balkans from which they could operate. Conversely Hitler sought to secure the southern flank of Germany before launching Operation Barbarossa, expelling British forces from Greece and securing the Balkans for the Axis. The Battle of Greece is widely regarded to be a rather large failure for the Allies. A great deal of resources were invested into the defense of Greece only to have the Germans reach Athens in less that a month, this included the withdrawal of troops out of the African scene to support the Balkans, which greatly delayed any progress made and extended the period of conflict in Africa by an unnecessary degree.
Regardless of the undeniable victory Germany had accomplished in Greece, a considerable amount of damage had been done to the invasion of the Soviet Union. The campaign itself had to be delayed by four weeks while German forces were invested in the Balkans, a great deal of haste was required the Germans to operate under the time pressure created. Units also had to re-deployed to Germany before moving to the eastern front, in order to have them maintained and battle ready. In total the conflict in the Balkans, as well as the poor roads and railways, called for great delay of Barbarossa, which would in turn weaken Hitlers position when it came to engaging the Soviet Union, which would be a pivotal and key battle of World War 2, the outcome of which could greatly sway the outcome of the war. As such the Greece resistance in the Balkans and defeat of the Italians in Albania was of great significance in the outcome of the war in Europe itself, as it would decrease Germany's chances of victory in the East.
Regardless of the undeniable victory Germany had accomplished in Greece, a considerable amount of damage had been done to the invasion of the Soviet Union. The campaign itself had to be delayed by four weeks while German forces were invested in the Balkans, a great deal of haste was required the Germans to operate under the time pressure created. Units also had to re-deployed to Germany before moving to the eastern front, in order to have them maintained and battle ready. In total the conflict in the Balkans, as well as the poor roads and railways, called for great delay of Barbarossa, which would in turn weaken Hitlers position when it came to engaging the Soviet Union, which would be a pivotal and key battle of World War 2, the outcome of which could greatly sway the outcome of the war. As such the Greece resistance in the Balkans and defeat of the Italians in Albania was of great significance in the outcome of the war in Europe itself, as it would decrease Germany's chances of victory in the East.
German Report Series - The German Campaigns in the Balkans - (Spring 1941)
Author kept anonymous
Anthony Rowe Ltd. Eastbourne
Date unknown
Address unknown
The Oxford Companion to New Zealand Military History
Ian McGibbon
Oxford University Press
2000
540, Great South Road, Greenlane, Auckland
Greek Tragedy '41
Admiral Heckstall & Vice Admiral Billy Graham
Anthony Bland Ltd.
1961
London
Greek Civil War
Britannica.com
The Editors of the Encyclopaedia Britannica
2016
http://www.britannica.com/event/Greek-Civil-War
Smashed Up New Attack!
News Chronicle
Author unknown
8/2/1941
Author kept anonymous
Anthony Rowe Ltd. Eastbourne
Date unknown
Address unknown
The Oxford Companion to New Zealand Military History
Ian McGibbon
Oxford University Press
2000
540, Great South Road, Greenlane, Auckland
Greek Tragedy '41
Admiral Heckstall & Vice Admiral Billy Graham
Anthony Bland Ltd.
1961
London
Greek Civil War
Britannica.com
The Editors of the Encyclopaedia Britannica
2016
http://www.britannica.com/event/Greek-Civil-War
Smashed Up New Attack!
News Chronicle
Author unknown
8/2/1941
See the complete list of sources:
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