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| Greece |
| FOR THE ITALIANS, the invasion of Greece was yet another military disaster and prompted Germany to intervene. In a controversial move, the British and Allied forces who were set to drive the Italians from Africa were rushed to defend Greece leaving a depleted presence in Africa. In operation Lustre, starting on 5 March 1941, the battle experienced Australian 6th Division and their equipment were transported by sea to Greece. In total 30,000 men, 240 guns and 140 tanks were stripped from North African for the defence of Greece. For three weeks the British Mediterranean Fleet was occupied guarding the transport convoys. Meanwhile Italian supply ships berthed in Tripoli unmolested. The 6th Division were replaced, in North Africa, by the partially-trained and poorly equipped Australian 9th Division. Germany invaded Greece and Yugoslavia on 6 April 1941. |
6 April 1941 - Germans invade Greece and Yugoslavia |