The Eastern Front And The Mediterranean

THE EASTERN FRONT AND THE MEDITERRANEAN
The stubburn resistance of the British in the battle of Britain caused a shift in Hitler’s strategy in Europe.Although the resistance surprised Hitler, it did not defeat him. He would dead with Great Britain later. Instead the turned his attention east to theBallxans and the Mediterranean area and the ultimate prize, the Soviet Union.
GERMANY AND ITALY ATTACK NORTH AFRICA
German’s first objective in theMediterranean region was North Africa with Hitler’s conquest of France, however, Mussolini, knew he had to take action. Otherwise, Italy would not shore inGermany’s victories. “I need a few thousand dead” he told a member of his staff.
GREAT BRITAIN STRIKES BACK
In December, the British decided to strike back. Theresult was a disaster for the Italians. By February 1941, the British had swept 500 miles across North Africa, they had taken 130,000 Italian prisioners.THE WAR IN THE BALKANS
While Rommel campaigned in North Africa, Hitler was active in the Balkans. As early as the summer of 1940, Hitler had begunplanning to attack hos ally, the USSR, by the following spring. Hitler wanted to build bases in south eastern Europe for the attack in the Soviet Union.HITLER INVADES THE SOVIET UNION
With the Balkans firmly in control, Hitler could move ahead with his plan to invade the Soviet Union. He called that plan“operation Barbosa”. Early on Sunday morning, June 2nd 1941, the roar of German tanks and aircroft announced the beginning of the blitzkrieg invasion.