Albanian Front (World War II)

The Albanian Front of the Greco-Italian War (1940–1941) was the main theatre of fighting between Italy and Greece. Under Giovanni Messe, Italian forces gained some early successes but were soon pushed back by the Greeks into Albania. Later, as Germany prepared to invade Greece, Messe launched a counterattack from southern Albania, capturing parts of Greece’s western coast.

Battle
Giovanni Messe commanded the Special Army Corps during the Greco-Italian War in late 1940 and early 1941, gaining some early success against Greek forces under Alexandros Papagos. However, the Italians were soon pushed back as the Greeks counterattacked and entered parts of Italian-held Albania. Mussolini then ordered General Ugo Cavallero to keep the Italian troops on the defensive while Germany prepared to invade Greece. On April 4, Hitler told Mussolini that defending Albania was crucial for Operation Marita. In early April, Papagos launched new attacks toward Elbasan, Berat, and Valona, but despite some initial gains, the Greek advance slowed as Italian defences strengthened. Giovanni Messe launched an counterattack from South Albania occupying the Western coast of Greece, with the Second Italian Spring offensive and German and Bulgarian invasion, the Albania Front was secured which further helped the Axis powers for occupying Greece and plan their invasion of Yugoslavia.

 References 

Category:Battles involving Italy
Category:World War II
Category:European battles of World War II
Category:Battles involving Germany
Category:Battles involving Greece
Category:Battles of World War II involving Italy
Category:Battles involving the United Kingdom