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In the wake of Italy's rapid annexation of Albania in April 1940, Mussolini's decision to attack Greece in October that year is widely acknowledged as a fatal mistake. It led to a domestic crisis and to the collapse of Italy's reputation as a military power (re-emphasized by the Italian defeat in North Africa in December 1940). The Italian assault on Greece came to a stalemate in less than a fortnight, and was followed a week later by a Greek counter-offensive that broke through the Italian defences before advancing into Albania. On 4 December 1940, the Greek threat compelled the Italians to withdraw north, with the aim of defending the vital port of Valona.
The Greek logistical situation, made worse by appalling weather and the lack of decent roads, led to a stalemate in January 1941 caused by the diaculties in bringing reinforcements to Albania. Eventually, the Italians took advantage of this brief hiatus to reorganize and prepare a counteroffensive, aimed at regaining the lost territory. The failure of the Italian offensive in March 1941 marked the end of the Rrst stage of the Axis Balkan campaign, and the matter was eventually decided in April 1941 by the German invasions of Yugoslavia and Greece.
