Operation 25 & Operation Marita

Emily GeigerArian Hafezi

Julia LioubarskiJessica Ma

ThesisAfter the successful coup by the Yugoslav Partisans in Yugoslavia, the old government was overthrown, and the Tripartite Pact to ally with Germany was threatened. At the same time, Adolf Hitler needed a plan to conquer Greece in an attempt to clean up the mess left behind by Mussolini. In response to both events, Hitler organized two operations, Operation 25 and Operation Marita, in an attempt to gain the upper hand in World War II. The internal conflicts within Yugoslavia combined with the German tactic to attack from all sides eventually led to the annexation of Yugoslavia and Greece.

Causes• Yugoslavia was going to join the Axis side of WWII, but then anti-

German and anti-Fascist resistance in the country had a coup and overthrew the leader of Yugoslavia

• New government tried to dissolve the Tripartite pact with Hitler• Hitler unhappy, decides to invade Yugoslavia to get it back • At the same time, Germany wanted to invade Greece because of

Italy’s failure earlier in annexing Greece• The Germans expected Greece to capitulate easily, placing the

capital of Athens and Greek ports in German hands• Greek bases for the Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine would solidify

German control over the northeastern Mediterranean and assist in supplying the Afrika Korps

What Happened: Yugoslavia

• April 6, 1941, Germany invaded both Greece and Yugoslavia

• The country was attacked from 3 sides and could not hold back the Germans

• Yugoslavia fell apart quickly because of the tensions between different ethnic groups in the country, mainly Serbs and Croats

• April 17, Germany successfully defeats Yugoslavia

What Happened: Greece

• Greece stood for longer with the help of British troops on their side

• Germany sends troops through Yugoslavia into Northern Greece

• German troops force British and Greek troops to retreat to Crete

• Germany defeats Greece on April 30th.

Belgrade-place where Germany later based their military in Yugoslavia

Led by Wilhelm List

Resistance

YugoslaviaMain Resistance: Yugoslav Partisans• Josip Broz Tito, a communist

leader of the Yugoslav partisans, led the biggest resistance force against Nazi Germany

• “Death to fascism, freedom to the people!” was the slogan

• Wanted to create a socialist Yugoslav nation

Greece• Had the help of Britain on

their side• Various resistance groups,

the first major one being the National Liberation Front

• Blew up key bridges to hinder German transportation

Key LeadersAdolf Hitler• German fascist dictator who ordered the invasion of Operation 25 and Operation MaritaOperation 25 (Yugoslavia)• Josip Broz Tito

– Communist leader of the Yugoslav Partisans in resisting German occupation– Regarded as the most resistant force leader– Later becomes president of Yugoslavia

• Prince Paul of Yugoslavia– Regent of Yugoslavia before German invasion– Didn’t want to join Axis because he feared a revolution in Yugoslavia but forced by Germans to

sign the Tripartite Pact– The people revolted

Operation Marita (Greece)• Wilhelm List

– German field Marshall for Hitler during WWII– forced Greek troops to push back and retreat– Lead the 12th Army in the invasion

Outcome• Partition of Yugoslavia and Greece• Germany annexed northern and eastern

Slovenia• Italy annexed southern and eastern Slovenia• Hungary annexed regions in northeastern

Yugoslavia• Germany and Italy divided Croatia into zones

of influence---stationed their troops there• Germany gained a lot more lands

Impact and Why It Matters

• Led to the Battle of Crete in which many British soldiers were bombed on the island of Crete by German Luftwaffe airborne attacks

• Thought to have delayed Operation Barbarossa

• Germany gains even more land in Europe

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