Did Churchill want to invade the Balkans?

Churchill had a fascination with the Balkans, which he saw as one of the most favorable places for operations. In Triumph and Tragedy, the last of his History of the Second World War books, Churchill attacked the Americans for Operation Dragoon, the invasion of southern France, to which he was opposed.

Why didn’t the Allies invade through the Balkans?

It wouldn’t have gone well. The Balkans is mountainous, filled with rivers and forests. An Allied advance would be going straight into the teeth of these natural obstacles, as well as trying to overcome stubborn resistance from German defenders.

Did Greece surrender in ww2?

Mainland Greece was liberated in October 1944 with the German withdrawal in the face of the advancing Red Army, while German garrisons continued to hold out in the Aegean Islands until after the war’s end. The country was devastated by war and occupation, and its economy and infrastructure lay in ruins.

Who did Greece side with in ww2?

During the course of the Second World War, the Axis Powers occupied Greece for just over 4 years, beginning with the Italian and German invasion of April 1942 and commencing with the surrender of German troops on Crete in June 1945.

Why did the United States participate in World War II?

On December 7, 1941, following the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, the United States declared war on Japan. Three days later, after Germany and Italy declared war on it, the United States became fully engaged in the Second World War.

Who invaded the Balkans in ww2?

Invasion. Germany invaded the Balkan countries of Yugoslavia and Greece in early April 1941. Supported by contingents from Germany’s allies (Italy, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania), German forces quickly subdued the Balkans. British forces, sent to aid Greece, were forced to withdraw to the island of Crete.

What effect did WWII have on the Balkan states?

World War II in the Balkans left 3.5 million people dead and destroyed perhaps half of all farms and industries.

Was Greece an Allies or Axis?

Greece’s territory was divided into occupation zones run by the Axis powers, with the Germans administering the most important regions of the country themselves, including Athens, Thessaloniki and the strategic Aegean Islands. Other regions of the country were given to Germany’s partners, Italy and Bulgaria.

How important was Greece in ww2?

Not only did Greece protect its homeland, marking the first defeat of the Axis in WWII, but it allowed the British to tighten the blockade in the Mediterranean and cut Italy’s communication lines, allowing for extra months of time for allies to prepare.

Who met in Tehran in November 1943 what did they decide?

Tehran Conference

The “Big Three” (Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill) at the Tehran Conference
Date	November 28 – December 1, 1943
Type	Allied World War II conference
Participants	Joseph Stalin (USSR) Winston Churchill (UK) Franklin D. Roosevelt (US)
Outcome	Consensus to open a second front against Nazi Germany by 1 June 1944