Parts IV-V
Hungarian Invasion
4 April 1942 – 1 June 1942
On 4 April 1942 Hungary joined the war and invaded Poland. The offensive in West Germany was halted.
Hungarians quickly liberated Slovakia and occupied South Poland. However, at the same time 78,000 Polish invaded North Italy, destroyed the last Italian reserves (128,000) in Italy and within one month conquered all Italy and liberated Greece. The reason of the quick Polish victory was previous French victory in South France, during which French destroyed about 20 Italian divisions.
In June, Polish divisions arrived from Italy and a counter-offensive started. 169,000 Polish faced 362,000 Hungarians. Polish routed Hungarian army in Slovakia. Within one month Bratislava, Budapest, Pecs and Debrecen were taken and Hungary surrendered.
Land Armies Comparison
Navies Comparison
Airs Comparison
Economy Comparison
Final Assault in West
1 June 1942 – 21 September 1942
Following the fall of Italy and Hungary almost all Polish divisions were sent to West Germany in preparation for the final assault. Only 33,000 Polish were sent to Greece to defend against 156,000 Bulgarians who reached Athens.
In June Danish with a help of two Polish Airborne divisions broke through German defences and liberated Denmark and invaded North Germany. Polish broke German defence in the centre and moved forward.
By the end of July, North German group was almost destroyed and German Holland was cut off from the rest of German army.
In Greece three Polish divisions underestimated Bulgarian army and commenced an offensive which was at the beginning very successful. However, Bulgarians who had numerical superiority 5:1 repulsed Polish attack and front stabilised in Central Greece.
During next two months Polish encircled German South Group and commenced assault on Bitburg the last German bastion.
Land Armies Comparison
Economy Comparison