Adolf Hitler25 March 1941
Hitler put pressure on Yugoslavia to join the Tripartite Pact. The Regent, Prince Paul of Yugoslavia, succumbed to this pressure
Germany · Warfare / World War, 2nd. Chronological records rendered directly from the World History Database.
Hitler put pressure on Yugoslavia to join the Tripartite Pact. The Regent, Prince Paul of Yugoslavia, succumbed to this pressure
Orders invasion after a pro-Allied coup in Belgrade. Delays invasion by 4 weeks to invade Yugoslavia after an Allied coup in Belgrade
Orders Goering to "destroy Belgrade"
A coup is launched in Yugoslavia by anti-Prince Paul, Serbian military officers, and the Regent was replaced on the throne by King Peter II of Yugoslavia.
Hitler takes the Yugoslav coup as a personal insult, and was so angered that he was determined "without waiting for possible declarations of loyalty of the new Government to destroy Yugoslavia militarily and as a nation".
Summons chiefs to the Chancellery saying the Belgrade coup endangered Barbarossa.
Instructed by Hitler to advise Hungary, Romania & Italy they will partition Yugoslavia
Hitler gives the order for the Axis powers to invade Yugoslavia. After the unexpected March 27 coup against the Yugoslav Government, orders for the future campaign in Yugoslavia are drafted, as well as changes to the plan for the attack on Greece
Starting on April 6, 1941, Axis armies invaded from all sides and the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) bombed Belgrade. Launched to secure Geramanys Balkan flank for Operation Barbarossa. Hitler, infuriated at Yugoslavias defiance, ordered the implementation of Operation Punishment (Unternehmen Strafgericht).
The German & Italian Armies take up their positions for the invasion of Yugoslavia & Greece. The German Army falls on Yugoslavia & Greece in overwhelming strength.
Issues a directive dividing up Yugoslavia between Germany, Italy, Hungary & Bulgaria
The C-in-C of Luftflotte Four, Generaloberst Alexander Lehr receives orders from Hermann Gring to wind down the air-offensive and transfer the bulk of the dive-bomber force to support the campaign in Greece
The C-in-C of Luftflotte Four, Generaloberst Alexander Lehr receives orders from Hermann Goering to wind down the air-offensive and transfer the bulk of the dive-bomber force to support the campaign in Greece
The C-in-C of Luftflotte Four, Generaloberst Alexander Lehr receives orders from Hermann Goering to wind down the air-offensive and transfer the bulk of the dive-bomber force to support the campaign in Greece
Yugoslavia is subsequently divided amongst Germany, Hungary, Italy and Bulgaria, with most of Serbia being occupied by Germany. The last of the Yugoslav troops surrender to the Germans
Greater Croatia becomes an independent pro-Axis state ruled by the Ustase
Kleist commands 1st Panzergruppe, comprising XVIII and XL Panzer Corps, which spearheads the Blitzkrieg-style invasions of Yugoslavia and Greece
Germany occupies Yugoslavia and Greece
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