1. iO9: "The 8 Worst Mistakes Made by the Axis During World War II"
This website is credible because (1) it has an author (George Dvorsky) and a way of contact, (2) more than three active hyperlinks, and (3) article written on 2014, website updated as of 2015.
2. The History Channel: "Italy Invades Greece" and "Hitler furious over Italy's debacle in Greece"
This website is credible because (1) it has an author (history.com staff) and contact information, (2) more than three active hyperlinks, and (3) updated as of 2015.
3. Comando Supremo: "Italian Invasion of Greece 1940-41: Part One"
This website is credible because (1) it has an author and a way to contact him, (2) website updated as of 2015, and has more than three active hyperlinks.
My Findings!
#1
The credible website lists the worst mistakes led by Axis powers during World War II, and the significance of what it has done. Listed number one is Italy's invasion of Greece. A reason behind the invasion is that "He [Mussolini] wanted to prove to Hitler and the world that Italy was the real deal. To that end, Mussolini unilaterally decided to invade Greece" (iO9 1). This particular reason shows an example of nationalism that Mussolini was known for, and how it was taken to extremity. Nationalism can go both ways, a positive where it's glorifying the nation, and a negative where too much pride can lead to dominance over others. The action encountered when "The campaign commenced on October 28, 1940, but things did not go well. The Greeks immediately counterattacked, forcing the 530,000 Italian troops back" (iO9 1). The strength that the Greeks had proves how superior in forces they were against Italy. In Mussolini's goal to impress Hitler, losing to a small and once neutral country has given doubts towards him. However, "Germany was forced to commit troops during a time when it could ill afford to do so. It forced Germany to delay its attack on Russia by five weeks...Hitler was inclined to agree during the last days of the Reich, blaming Mussolini for the delayed attack on Russia, and Germany's subsequent defeat (iO9 1). Although Mussolini gave impression that Italy may be weak, Hitler still sent out forces. In contrary, Hitler still gave great blamed which showed that although the invasion of Greece was successful, Germany could've better prepare for their greatest enemy, the Soviet Union, if there wasn't any useless drawbacks.
#2
In the credible website, it gives the significance of October 28, 1940, with detail of Italy's invasion of Greece and on November 18, 1940, with Hitler's reaction and thoughts. Based on the article, "Mussolini surprised everyone with this move against Greece; even his ally, Adolf Hitler, was caught off-guard, especially since the Duce had led Hitler to believe he had no such intention" (The History Channel 1). This information proves how this attack was unnecessary for the plans of Hitler and the rest of the Axis Powers. If Hitler said he did not know, Mussolini was obviously trying to prove superiority over Hitler, and the world. Ways that made this attack possible was that "Mussolini knew a secret, that millions of lire had been put aside to bribe Greek politicians and generals not to resist the Italian invasions" (The History Channel 1). This known secret of Mussolini's did help him succeed and may have been part of the plan to show the world and Hitler that Italy had the power. However, there was no intention of Mussolini turning away, making this an action of question. By Hitler, "Hitler considered leaving the Italians to fight their own way out of this debacle-possibly making peace with the Greeks as a way of forestalling an Allied intervention" (The History Channel 2). Hitler opinion shows the tension that was tied within the Axis powers. Again, this is where another part of nationalism plays; But like an ally with another member of the Axis powers, Hitler assisted the Italians.
#3
The credible website focuses on the more detail thoughts and statistics that led up to the invasion and the thoughts of Hitler. In the article, the writer says "The decision made by Mussolini to launch this campaign, an endeavor that would shape the structure of both countries for decades thereafter, cannot be looked upon as anything but a tragic folly" (Comando Supremo 1). This thought explains how the invasion of Greece was a mistake for the Axis powers goals during World War II. Although they ended up winning, it was an interruption, especially to Hitler. Another thought is that "The decision to launch the invasion, made in such as unfathomably rushed and off-handed manner, seemed to be based on little more than anger, greed, poor, assumptions, and ignorance" (Comando Supremo 1). This thought shows the historic significance and passed down ideas towards this surprise and unexpected invasion. The invasion was nothing less than a show put on for some sort of pride, during an already huge crisis. In a great concluding statement, "In the years leading up to this outbreak of war, there was a tense yet cordial relationship between the political establishments of Italy and Greece" (Comando Supremo 1). Like it was already proven, the invasion was a result of the tension between the two countries. What is wondering, is the opposition side of the war, and if was already expected for a period of time, or unexpected.