e Romania lost some land to Russia, Bessarabia and the northern part of Bukovina. They also lost part of Translvania to Hungary through the Second Vienna Award. Although the loss of land was harmful to Rumania, they drew closer to Germany, because it recognized that Britain was powerless in Eastern Europe and Germany was the only country strong enough to protect the rest of her land from Russia. Hitler was also prepared to aid Rumania due to his interest in the Ploesti oil fields. Without these field Germany could no longer continue the war. All of the southeastern countries, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Hungary, and Rumania, were now under Hitler's political and economical control. This was achieved at little cost for Hitler, who would only have to station a few divisions in Bulgaria to protect the oil fields. Everything seemed to be running smoothly for him until Mussolini decided to go on the offensive in Greece. Mussolini was poorly advised through his prime minister, Ciano, that the military campaign in Greece would be a quick success. Germany was taken completely by surprise by Italy's actions, which she totally disapproved. Hitler had to switch tracks at this time. He had to postpone his final conflict of the war, Operation Barbosa, an attack on Russia and concentrate on the Mediterranean. Italy invaded Greece through Albania without a declaration of war. Without the knowledge of guerrilla warfare, Italy found itself retreating back into Albania. Greece spoke of liberation of Albania and at this point Hitler got worried. With the difficulties Italy encountered he realized that this would offer an opportunity for Great Britain to regain a foothold on the continent. Hitler noted "whereas the Rumanian oil fields were previously entirely inaccessible to English bombers" now the RAF was "within a distance of less than 500 km" from Rumania and he considered this development "down right ominous." At this point he discussed military movements t...
