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I'd almost forgotten how much I love seeing your divisions moving around on maps. Can't wait for the next (North Africa) episode!

The Italian commander of operation E (the Italian offensive in Egypt) was Graziani, who was considered the father of Italian blitz doctrine, togheter with the commander of the armored core (a brigade size formation, not a division as seen in the video) Maletti. For what was the organisation structure of the Italian army when they invaded Egypt they had to decide whether to attack as stated by their own formulated doctrine, whit a concentred highly mobile force (2 or 3 division sized formation fully motorized and partially armored) to be supported by air, or to attack en-masse. They chose the latter, and advanced some 500km in the desert, unopposed, using blackshirt and colonial infantry on the coast, covered on the side by motorcycled Bersaglieri, and the few mechanised forces they had deeper south with no contact to the coastline units; during the advance the mechanised core even got lost and had to be found by air reconnaissance (something that wasn't done even on the enemy forces). After 500km it was it, the Italian logistic had it, their motorized reserves were depleted (almost half of the trucks used at an army level for transport and logistic were broken) fuel was running low, water reserves drained and had to be brought from Bardia where there was a sea wanter deputation facility. At this point they had to dig in, wait for the infrastructure to be fixed, for the supply to come and for reinforcement, but shit happened in Greece, so the reinforcement were scaled down, the Italian lost a naval battle so supplies were delayed and the Colonial Government (led by Graziani) was extremely slow in finishing the infrastructure works. The Italian army had to dug-in for a longer wait than anticipated, and had to do it in a territory they didn't know and was difficult to reach. The great strategical genius of Graziani and Maletti luckily had experience in desert defence, although against a guerilla force, and had experienced supplying an isolated desert force, although of the size of a regiment. They decided to create the most static, uncoordinated, isolated and concentrated position I've ever seen: 4 redoubt facing east, no troops or recon in between, no special communication between them, no reserve unit except for one Lybian division (more a brigade than a division) on the coast. The airwings were also in a terrible shape, all CAS were out of service. No recon was ever conducted. When the British attacked, firstly against the "mechanised" Maletti Group, they cought the Italian in their sleeping quarters, Maletti himself was found dead manning and MG in his pajamas; the resistance lasted a quarter of hour. By the morning the British reached the sea and 4 Italian division were surrounded to their unknown. From then it was all done, Grazian closed himself in his bunker in Tripoli, passing time trying to pass the blame on to his Chief of Staff, a good officer who was promoted just too quickly just for propaganda. Graziani resigned and was replaced by again a good officer, again too quickly promoted but for what remained of the Italian army in Cyrenaica he was completely adequate, Tellera who led his troop from the front. On his retreat towards Mersa Brega he was anticipated and cut off by only 13 minutes by the British, he lad an assault and menage to break the line for a while but his tank was hit and he was killed, the remaining Italian troops routed in little time

The Mediterranean campaign. This campaign is often overshadowed by many others during the Second World War yet it was crucial for which side control the sea, they shall enjoy superiority over their enemies. Ever since they days of the Carthaginians, Romans, Egyptians, etc. controlling the Mediterranean Sea was crucial. I cannot wait to see more. Very well made video covering the Mediterranean campaign. Keep up the good work. Godspeed.

I'd always wondered how in 1940 the Italian Army in Libya, numbering some 300,000 couldn't defeat the British Force of around 30,000 in Egypt. Now I'm kicking myself for not realizing it was due to a lack of transport and trucks since marching 200,000 men through the open desert at the end of summer on foot is a fast way to lose an army.

The reason for why there were so little italian divisions to invade Greece was because the Italian general, Visconti Prasca, wasn’t used to command many divisions and feared being replaced so he told Mussolini that he didn’t need reinforcements.

It's really hard to emphasize how outstanding german victories were in the first phase of ww2. Especially when you compare that with ww1 when even small nations had been really difficult to conquere. Even conquering Romania during ww1 which was probably the swifest campaign of that conflict cost the Central Powers tens of thousands of men. In comparison completely defeating Greece and Yugoslavia cost the Germans only a few thousand.

As an Italian, thank you for finally covering this chapter of WW2!

That was a very well done video. You explained things clearly and well, with just enough details that someone just learning about this subject could understand the basic history without it being too complicated. Take care.

It's 4AM, but this just got uploaded. Sleep can wait :)

Bravo! Not only an entertaining and informative video but also possibly the best segue into a promotion I've ever heard. Earned you an instant new subscriber.

After their mostly-failed attack on France, the Italians did actually annex Menton/Mentone, the lone city they’d captured. There’s actually whole video about it (and about how Mentone broke away from the rule of Monaco and was briefly independent itself) over on the Wayback history channel. Another awesome video, keep up the great work!

Can someone please explain to me how the Italians knew they needed 20 divisions to invade Greece, and then went ahead with just FOUR!?! Like, the level of incompetence required for that… 😂

I asked a while ago for an italy campaign video, this is literally way better than I imagined and we are getting 3 parts

Just appreciating the effort you put in and that you focus on an often overseen theater

Been waiting for this one for a while. Can’t wait for the next part

Good stuff, glad to see the Balkan side of it all. I don't know if it's very relevant but there was a Fort Roupel in the northern Greek front that the Germans weren't able to capture before Greece was surrendered and the soldiers there kept fighting because they thought that when the Germans told them that Greece surrendered it was lie. It does sound like a legend but it's a pretty well accepted historical fact.

Great video as always Eastory, i noticed that when Germany entered the Balkans, the "Eastern Front" music from your previous videos start playing

Your high quality videos never stop to amaze me! Great Work!

An interesting video so far, I almost forgot how awesome your videos were and I really am a big fan of your channel!

as an Italian I have seen this countless times, but it doesn't make it any less painful

Awesome video! We all can definitely your content is in the top 5 of any youtube creator. Keep up the great work!

I'm a simple guy: when Eastory publish a video about WW2 I put a like instantly

I wonder if he could make a website where we can see all the battles and units throughout the war, the work put into these videos are amazing and I can't stop watching them. Masterpieces as always!

I am always happy when a new Eastory video comes out!

I really appreciate that you put so much effort into your videos, I swear this is better than history class!

That one was great and honestly one of the most informative youtube videos i ever watched!

Thanks for a doc during this period in the Mediterranean!

When you’re done with this North Africa in WWII series, you should do a series about East Africa in both World Wars - an overlooked theater of both conflicts. Alternatively would also love one about the Caucasus/Caspian campaigns in both World Wars, another extremely important but overlooked theater of both conflicts.

Here I am enjoying your video to full capacity! Thanks for existing! Greetings from Mar del Plata, Argentina. 🇦🇷🌟🌟🌟🇦🇷 Ricardo.

"The Protagonist of this video is Italy" *few minutes into the video* Germany appears "Actually Italy you've lost protagonism-priviliges"

I know you're channel mostly covers history of Europe only but can you please make a video about the Gulf War and the Second Gulf war? Im really curious about this war and you're videos are the ones that I understand the most.

lmfao the voices though. should get an Oscar. love your mapping and commentary as always

I came in to put up a like for you my friend, are one of my most favorite creators in youtube. Chiao

Awsome stuff, always was interested in the Med thatre. Would be cool if you also covered important naval battles here too.

this war theatre is very little documented but it is interesting and I'm glad your making a video on it!

Thank you for this video. I love this type of video with some explanation.

I love your video's so much thank you for all your work.

Brilliant analysis, as usual!

Hey there! Good work guys, I always appreciate your animated maps displayed on "World War Two" show of Indy Neidell. And I remember you showed very accurate maps of the invasion of my country Lebanon and neighboring Syria in 1941 (Operation Exporter)

So this youtube channel is living proof that if you want to spread awareness for obscure topics, amass a following using widelly known ones first and work your way down. Greetings from Lithuania by the way.

amazing video!! thanks Eastory

Fantastic! Thanks Eastory!

Have loved your content for years now Eastory! Was wondering if you'd think about covering the Polish-Soviet war that occurred after WW1, and what both sides learned from it that led to experiences in WW2?

Italy: “I hate sand. It’s flat, hot and the Brits get everywhere…”

Thanks! Could watch this for hours

Thank You for this video!

Excellent video, as always.

Words cannot express I hyped I got when I saw the title and who made it. Thanks darling

I feel bad for the Greeks. They fought well against Italy but the arrival of Geman reinforcements obliterated their battleplan.

Finally Mediterranean battles. Btw background music is very good. I like how it is used in every part.

Italy is like that noob on your team which has a 0.1K/D ratio, and your team would actually somehow be better if he were afking rather than playing

I think we're all glad Mussolini didn't have access to Ground news.

It is understandable why the German army was viewed as invincible. It never mattered if it was flat, mountainous, urban, island or whatever terrain. They swiftly defeated everything and everybody. A truly unstoppable machine. It took tens of millions of men, insane industrial capacity, millions of bombs, millions of shells, and tens of millions of death people to stop them. So sad that such a mad man got some of the best military minds of the time behind him.

YEAH I WAS WAITING FOR THIS

I hope you know just how fantastic your videos are!

Good job sir. Hope you also do Burma maps in WW2

Apparently one German general commented about the Italians "you can have them next time" at the end of the war.

Babe wake up, the new Eastory video dropped.

I appreciate your effort in making these videos, take notes Italy.

I love your videos Eastory. I need more, please

Amazing video as always. Btw HOI4 colors for the nations is made on purpose?

love ur work

All of your videos are good, and I learnt a lot about the Eastern Front and everything via just your UKposts

Seems like Britain and Germany are the only people who know what the hell they’re doing

Love the fact that you cover parts of ww2 that are relatively unknown

Idk if you have seen my last comment under your Profil but thank god you finally pay attention to this interesting front

You should try changing the divisions sizes or do something similar to show the difference between the amount of people per division (if I recall the french divisions where bigger than Italian ones).

I would love to see a video on the Continuation War or the Polish-Soviet war. Great content!

Amazing! How did you create that map animation?

Great Video!!!

Perfect like always

Please cover also the naval combats in the Mediterranean

That was the smoothest transition into an ad spot that I have ever seen on UKposts 😆

Great Video, can you do one on the Italian campaign.

Great video

Really cool that you've recently covered more obscure topics! I'd recommend the Iraq-Iran War, not a topic that many know of

Best youtuber ever

Great video. The blitzkrieg in Yugoslavia, how the Axis Powers and the allies cut the country apart by cutting off individual fronts and taking control of the most important strategic centers is really impressive. Great job, can't wait for another movie about this theater of WW2. Regards

Thanks. Very good explain and intersting

Nice video

Good vid. A bit of a shame that you did not include the fact that the "British" units comprised nations under the Commonwealth such as New Zealand, Australia though.

Can you do a Winter War or Continuation War episode? :)

Super video.

The Med and especially the Balkans is rather ignored in ww2 hiatory. Thanks for developing it more!

im not italian but this video gave me pain

I really appreciate you doing such a great content for free! Way better than my history teacher hahaahahh

Please do other wars too if possible

YO LETS FREAKING GOOOOOOOO NEW VID

Can you please do the second part now

Thanks for the excellent video. I'm hopeful that you'll mention the Syrian campaign as well in the future.

lets go eastory posted

Very good video 👍

Hello! Your videos are great. However, whatever happens on 5:30 seems like a parody on Oversimplified and does not suit the style of the narration. Please, do not repeat the experiment. You are great as it is!

Very useful video.

I often wonder how WW2 would have turned out differently if Germany had not attacked the USSR in 1941 and instead sent all those forces to North Africa and headed for Egypt and the Middle East instead? They would have had access to Russia's oil, minerals and grain thru trade and eventually be able to get Middle East oil. They could also have likely gained Turkey as an ally as they would be practically surrounded by the Axis.

I hope you fulfill my request and produce a long video about the Iran-Iraq war. I really hope you do

new Eastory vid, everyone get their popcorn!

Thanks a lot for Greece and Yugoslavia! Maybe a few words about Syria, Ethiopia and Fezzan in next episode?

New Eastory Upload? Just in: Must watch video uploaded to UKposts.