Posted on Apr 11, 2017
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The German air force launches Operation Castigo, the bombing of Belgrade, on this day in 1941, as 24 divisions and 1,200 tanks drive into Greece.
The attack on Yugoslavia was swift and brutal, an act of terror resulting in the death of 17,000 civilians–the largest number of civilian casualties in a single day since the start of the war. Making the slaughter all the worse was that nearby towns and villages had emptied out into the capital city to celebrate Palm Sunday. All of Yugoslavia’s airfields were also bombed, destroying most of its 600 aircraft while still on the ground.
As part of a comprehensive Balkan offensive, German forces also bombed the Greek port city of Piraeus as army divisions swept south and west, en route to Salonica and the eventual occupation of Greece.
Also on this day: British General Alan Cunningham’s troops enter Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, formally expelling the Italian occupiers and setting the stage for the return of Ethiopia’s emperor, Haile Selassie.
The attack on Yugoslavia was swift and brutal, an act of terror resulting in the death of 17,000 civilians–the largest number of civilian casualties in a single day since the start of the war. Making the slaughter all the worse was that nearby towns and villages had emptied out into the capital city to celebrate Palm Sunday. All of Yugoslavia’s airfields were also bombed, destroying most of its 600 aircraft while still on the ground.
As part of a comprehensive Balkan offensive, German forces also bombed the Greek port city of Piraeus as army divisions swept south and west, en route to Salonica and the eventual occupation of Greece.
Also on this day: British General Alan Cunningham’s troops enter Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, formally expelling the Italian occupiers and setting the stage for the return of Ethiopia’s emperor, Haile Selassie.
Germany invades Yugoslavia and Greece - Apr 06, 1941 - HISTORY.com
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WWII World War Two
WWII World War Two
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 1
PO3 Donald Murphy
Helped by a lot of fifth columnists (sympathizers). Hence, America's nano-second decision to intern Japanese-American citizens. Also, Germany was using something that had never been used in war before: electronic propaganda. Germany had control of all forms of media and made sure that only the well-armed, motorized, handsome and fit SS were seen in the movies. Single Stuka's would drop a bomb and the next frame would show the entire city blowing up. How could you resist? The Polish were the European outcasts so no one really paid too much notice to Warsaw's fate. But when a "normal" capital like Rotterdam was blown to bits by the Luftwaffe, the Europeans started to fold quite quickly. No one wanted to be bombed LIKE THAT.
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