World War II in the Balkans

The Balkan region in World War II, had Yugoslavia, Greece, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and other countries, participate on both the allied and axis side.

Balkans in World War II
Part of World War II
Date1940 — May 8 1945
Location
Result 1940–1941 Axis victory
1944–1945 Allied victory
Belligerents

 • Balkan Air Force

Commanders and leaders
Casualties and losses
  • United Kingdom Australia New Zealand 986,788 killed
  • Kingdom of Greece 464,525 killed, 20,650 partisans killed
  • Kingdom of Yugoslavia 247,549 partisans killed, KOY deaths unknown
  • Communist Albania 28,000 partisans killed
  • Soviet Union Kingdom of Romania Kingdom of Bulgaria unknown
  • Nazi Germany Independent State of Croatia Albania 4,246,384 killed
  • Kingdom of Italy 324,821 killed
  • Kingdom of Hungary (1920–1946) 270,120 killed in the invasion of Yugoslavia and siege of Budapest
  • Kingdom of Romania unknown
  • Kingdom of Bulgaria 1,532 killed

History

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1940-1941

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Greece was invaded by Italy in October of 1940, but the Greeks counter attacked, and pushed through Albania, but in November, Hungary and Romania joined the axis.

Yugoslavia joined the axis in march of 1941, but left after a coup, so Yugoslav is was invaded by their axis and Greece to, both fell to the invasion, and resistance was formed.

1944-1945

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the soviets invaded Romanian territory in march 1944 and in august, Romania capitulated, and so did Bulgaria, the Soviets helped the Yugoslav Partisans liberate Yugoslavia, and the British landed in Greece to liberate the country, in November, Albanian partisans liberated the Albania and set a provisional government, soviet forces also invaded Hungary, encircling Budapest.

in April, the Soviets and partisans launched a final offensive into axis territory, on the 8th of may, Germany surrendered.