SOUTHERN EUROPE

This timeline covers all the political and military events that occurred within Southern Europe between the years 1939 and 1945. The countries encompassed within the timeline are Italy, Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece and various Mediterranean Islands such Crete and Malta.

"In my opinion the limit of endurance has been reached by the troops under my command...our position here is hopeless" Major General Freyberg VC (Shortly before the evacuation of Crete) May 1941 Field Marshal Harold Alexander Field Marshal Albert Kesselring American M4A3E8 Sherman The US M4A3E8 variant of the Sherman was commonly known as the 'Easy Eight' and was equipped with the late-war standard 76mm gun. It also had a new, horizontally-mounted suspension system rather than the vertical suspension unit fitted to earlier models.

07/12/1939	Italy reaffirms her neutrality.
24/12/1939	Pope Pius XII makes a Christmas appeal for peace.