International Response to German and Italian Aggression (1940)
The Context of 1940: A World on the Brink
- By 1940, Europe was engulfed in war.
- Germany had already invaded Poland in 1939, triggering World War II, while Italy joined the conflict in June 1940, aligning with Germany under the Pact of Steel.
- The international community, particularly Britain and France, faced critical decisions in responding to this aggression.
- The failure of the League of Nations in the 1930s, coupled with the policy of appeasement, had emboldened Axis powers.
- By 1940, the world was witnessing the consequences of these earlier missteps.
The Italian Invasion of Albania and Its Aftermath
- On April 7, 1939, Italy invaded Albania, marking a significant escalation in its expansionist policy.
- This invasion was a turning point for Britain and France, who had previously pursued appeasement.
British and French Reactions
- Condemnation: Both countries condemned the invasion, recognizing it as a violation of international norms.
- Military Guarantees:
- Britain guaranteed the borders of Greece and Romania, signaling a shift from appeasement to deterrence.
- This was a direct response to Mussolini's aggression and a recognition of the strategic importance of the Balkans.
- Strategic Realignment:
- British military planners began focusing on the Mediterranean, shifting resources from the Far East.
- This included strengthening naval presence to counter Italian ambitions.
The guarantees to Greece and Romania were not ironclad military alliances but were intended to deter further Axis aggression by signaling a willingness to act.
TipWhen analyzing military guarantees, consider their strategic implications. Britain's focus on the Mediterranean reflected a broader shift in priorities as the threat from Axis powers grew.
Italy's Entry into World War II
- In June 1940, Italy declared war on Britain and France, hoping to gain territorial rewards.
- This decision had significant consequences for the international response.
British Military Response
- Operation Compass:
- In December 1940, British forces launched a counterattack against Italian troops in North Africa.
- Under Lieutenant-General Richard O'Connor, the British Western Desert Force defeated a much larger Italian army, capturing 38,000 prisoners and pushing the Italians out of Egypt.
- Naval Dominance:
- The British Navy played a crucial role in countering Italian aggression.
- On November 11, 1940, the Royal Navy launched a surprise attack on the Italian fleet at Taranto, sinking half of its ships and establishing naval superiority in the Mediterranean.
Operation Compass demonstrated the effectiveness of British military strategy and the weaknesses of Italian forces, particularly in terms of morale and leadership.
Analogy- Think of the attack on Taranto as a precursor to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
- Both involved surprise aerial assaults on naval bases, but the British operation was a pioneering use of aircraft carriers in naval warfare.
