Greece 1941: The Death Throes of Blitzkrieg

by Jeffrey Plowman

Overview

Blitzkrieg. Lightning war. We are all familiar with the rapid thrusts the Germans made in the early days of the Second World War that saw the demise first of Poland and then the Low Countries and France. But were the German tactics, which appeared at the time to smash through all resistance, really as devastating as they seemed? That is the major question Jeffrey Plowman asks in this absorbing new study of the campaign in Greece in 1941.

Within three weeks they overran the country but, by looking into the campaign in detail, the author claims that at no time did the Germans gain ascendancy over the token British and Anzac force sent to bolster the Greek defenders. They came close to doing so, but the Anzac troops and their Greek allies put up a spirited defense that sometimes turned the Germans’ own methods against them.

This perceptive new account should prompt a reassessment of the Greek campaign. It also offers a fascinating insight into the weaknesses of the Germans’ all-conquering method of warfare which became increasing apparent during the later stages of the war.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781526730268
Publisher:	Pen & Sword Books Limited
Publication date:	11/12/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	825,504
File size:	10 MB

About the Author

Jeffrey Plowman is a research biochemist by profession who has had a keen interest in military history for over thirty-five years. He has made a special study of New Zealand armour and armoured units and has published nineteen books as well as many articles and chapters on the subject. Among his most recent publications are War in the Balkans: The Battle for Greece and Crete 1940-1941 and Monte Cassino: Armoured Forces in the Battle for the Gustav Line.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements vi

List of maps viii

List of plates ix

Introduction xii

Chapter 1 The Road to War 1

Chapter 2 Political Machinations 7

Chapter 3 Operation Lustre 17

Chapter 4 The Fall of Yugoslavia 27

Chapter 5 Breakthrough at Vevi 34

Chapter 6 The Battle for Servia Pass 61

Chapter 7 Repulse at Olympus Pass 83

Chapter 8 A Near Run Thing at Pineios Gorge 97

Chapter 9 The Thermopylae Line 123

Chapter 10 Evacuation 141

Chapter 11 Operation Lustre in Retrospect 162

Appendix I Composition of Opposing Forces 173

Appendix II Commonwealth and Axis Commanders 176

Appendix III Movement of W Force to Greece 186

Appendix IV British Tank Losses in Greece 188

Appendix V Embarkations from Greece 190

Appendix VI Casualties 193

Glossary 194

Notes 196

Bibliography 215

Index 221

Editorial Reviews

An enjoyable read with a refreshing viewpoint on the blitzkrieg method of warfare.”

WWII History Magazine