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Invasion of Yugoslavia Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: The Invasion of Yugoslavia (April 1941): Military Operations and Political Context

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The Invasion of Yugoslavia (April 1941): Military Operations and Political Context Study Guide

Political Prelude and Trigger

Adolf Hitler ordered the invasion of Yugoslavia directly in response to the country joining the Tripartite Pact.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source indicates that Hitler ordered the invasion following the Yugoslav coup d'état of March 27, 1941, which overthrew the government that had adhered to the Tripartite Pact. The coup, not the adherence itself, was the direct trigger.

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Yugoslavia aligned itself with the Axis powers by acceding to the Tripartite Pact on March 25, 1941, under Regent Prince Paul.

Answer: True

Explanation: On March 25, 1941, the Yugoslav government, led by Regent Prince Paul, signed the Tripartite Pact, thereby aligning the Kingdom of Yugoslavia with the Axis powers.

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The Yugoslav coup d'état of March 27, 1941, led to a more favorable stance towards the Axis powers from Germany.

Answer: False

Explanation: The coup d'état of March 27, 1941, which overthrew the pro-Axis government, angered Adolf Hitler and led him to order the 'military destruction' of Yugoslavia, indicating a highly unfavorable German reaction.

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Which event directly triggered Adolf Hitler's order for the invasion of Yugoslavia?

Answer: A coup d'état that overthrew the pro-Axis Yugoslav government.

Explanation: Adolf Hitler ordered the invasion of Yugoslavia on March 27, 1941, directly in response to a coup d'état that overthrew the government which had recently adhered to the Tripartite Pact.

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What action did Yugoslavia take on March 25, 1941, regarding its foreign policy alignment?

Answer: Acceded to the Tripartite Pact, aligning with the Axis powers.

Explanation: On March 25, 1941, Yugoslavia acceded to the Tripartite Pact, signifying its alignment with the Axis powers under Regent Prince Paul's government.

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How did Adolf Hitler react to the Yugoslav coup d'état of March 27, 1941?

Answer: He was angered and ordered the 'military destruction' of Yugoslavia.

Explanation: Adolf Hitler reacted with extreme anger to the Yugoslav coup d'état of March 27, 1941, issuing Führer Directive No. 25 which mandated the 'military destruction' of Yugoslavia.

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Axis Invasion Planning and Execution

The German invasion of Yugoslavia was primarily codenamed 'Operation Barbarossa'.

Answer: False

Explanation: The primary codename for the German invasion of Yugoslavia was 'Operation 25'. 'Operation Barbarossa' was the codename for the German invasion of the Soviet Union.

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German forces launched their invasion of Yugoslavia exclusively from bases within Germany.

Answer: False

Explanation: German ground forces launched attacks into Yugoslavia from multiple directions, including bases within Germany itself, as well as from Romania, Hungary, and Bulgaria.

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The German invasion force included approximately 19 divisions and over 750 aircraft.

Answer: True

Explanation: The German invasion force comprised approximately 19 divisions, including five panzer divisions, two motorized infantry divisions, and two mountain divisions, supported by over 750 aircraft.

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The main Axis ground offensive began on April 17, 1941, after the armistice was signed.

Answer: False

Explanation: The main Axis ground offensive commenced on April 6, 1941, with German forces, and was joined by Italian and Hungarian forces on April 11, 1941, well before the armistice on April 17, 1941.

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The 'Spring Storm' codename referred to the location of Hitler's command trains during the April War.

Answer: True

Explanation: The codename 'Spring Storm' (*Frühlingssturm*) referred to the location of Adolf Hitler's special command trains, 'Amerika' and 'Atlas,' which were stationed in Austria during the April War.

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What was the primary codename for the German invasion of Yugoslavia, as mentioned in the source?

Answer: Operation 25

Explanation: The primary codename for the German invasion of Yugoslavia, launched on April 6, 1941, was 'Operation 25'.

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From which countries did Germany launch ground attacks into Yugoslavia?

Answer: Germany, Romania, Hungary, and Bulgaria

Explanation: German ground forces launched attacks into Yugoslavia from multiple directions, including bases within Germany itself, as well as from Romania, Hungary, and Bulgaria.

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What was the approximate number of German divisions involved in the invasion?

Answer: 19

Explanation: The German invasion force comprised approximately 19 divisions, including five panzer divisions, two motorized infantry divisions, and two mountain divisions.

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Axis Powers' Roles

Italy and Hungary were the only Axis powers besides Germany involved in the invasion of Yugoslavia.

Answer: True

Explanation: The invasion of Yugoslavia was primarily carried out by Germany, Italy, and Hungary, with Romania and Bulgaria also playing supporting roles or allowing passage.

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The Italian Army immediately launched major ground offensives into Yugoslavia on April 6, 1941.

Answer: False

Explanation: Initially, Italian forces limited their involvement to air and artillery attacks. The major Italian ground offensives into Yugoslavia commenced on April 11, 1941.

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Hungary mobilized its army and crossed into Yugoslav territory on April 11, 1941, advancing into the Bačka and Baranya regions.

Answer: True

Explanation: Hungary, having joined the Tripartite Pact, mobilized its army and crossed into Yugoslav territory on April 11, 1941, advancing into the Bačka and Baranya regions with minimal resistance.

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Italian naval forces played a minor role, primarily blockading Yugoslav ports.

Answer: False

Explanation: Italian naval forces occupied Dalmatian islands and supported ground advances along the coast. They also conducted air raids on Yugoslav naval assets and damaged Yugoslav vessels, indicating a role beyond mere blockade.

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The Hungarian Chief of Staff, Henrik Werth, opposed Hungary's participation in the invasion.

Answer: False

Explanation: Contrary to opposing it, Hungarian Chief of Staff Henrik Werth was a key proponent and planner of Hungary's participation in the invasion, meeting with German officials to finalize operational plans.

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Romania provided significant ground troop support to the German invasion of Yugoslavia.

Answer: False

Explanation: While Romania allowed German forces to stage from its territory and provided some artillery support along the Danube, it did not provide significant ground troop support for the invasion itself.

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Italian intelligence successfully broke Yugoslav codes and transmitted false orders to disrupt troop movements.

Answer: True

Explanation: Italian intelligence services achieved success in breaking Yugoslav codes and subsequently transmitted deceptive orders using the correct code key, causing significant confusion and disruption to Yugoslav troop movements.

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Besides Germany, which other Axis powers participated in the invasion of Yugoslavia?

Answer: Italy and Hungary

Explanation: In addition to Germany, the invasion of Yugoslavia involved significant participation from Italy and Hungary, both members of the Axis powers.

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When did the Italian Army launch its ground offensives into Yugoslavia?

Answer: April 11, 1941

Explanation: Initially limited to air and artillery actions, the Italian Army launched its major ground offensives into Yugoslav territory on April 11, 1941.

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Which regions did Hungarian forces advance into after crossing the Yugoslav border?

Answer: Bačka and Baranya

Explanation: Following Hungary's mobilization and border crossing on April 11, 1941, its forces advanced into the Bačka and Baranya regions of Yugoslavia.

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Royal Yugoslav Forces and Deficiencies

The Royal Yugoslav Army was fully mobilized and equipped with modern tanks and artillery comparable to German forces.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Royal Yugoslav Army was only partially mobilized and heavily reliant on animal-powered transport. While it possessed some modern equipment, its overall armament and readiness were not comparable to German forces.

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The Royal Yugoslav Air Force (VVKJ) consisted solely of outdated biplanes.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Royal Yugoslav Air Force operated a mix of aircraft, including modern fighters like the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Hawker Hurricane, alongside older types. It was not solely equipped with outdated biplanes.

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The Royal Yugoslav Navy was a formidable force, centered around numerous battleships and aircraft carriers.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Royal Yugoslav Navy was relatively small, primarily consisting of four destroyers and four submarines, along with some river monitors and motor torpedo boats. It did not possess battleships or aircraft carriers.

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Internal political divisions, particularly between Serbs and Croats, significantly weakened the Yugoslav Army's defense.

Answer: True

Explanation: Deep political divisions within Yugoslavia, notably between Serbs and Croats, undermined the cohesion and effectiveness of the Yugoslav Army's defense, with some units reportedly unwilling to fight or even mutinying.

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Most surviving Royal Yugoslav Air Force aircraft were destroyed on the ground during the invasion.

Answer: False

Explanation: While many aircraft were lost, a significant number of surviving Royal Yugoslav Air Force aircraft escaped to Allied territory or were destroyed later, rather than most being destroyed solely on the ground during the initial invasion.

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The Yugoslav Army's failure was partly attributed to the strategic error of attempting to defend all borders simultaneously.

Answer: True

Explanation: A significant strategic error cited for the Yugoslav Army's rapid collapse was its attempt to defend all national borders concurrently, stretching its resources and command capabilities too thin.

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How was the Royal Yugoslav Army described in terms of mobilization and transport?

Answer: Partially mobilized and heavily reliant on animal-powered transport.

Explanation: The Royal Yugoslav Army was only partially mobilized and relied significantly on animal-powered transport, indicating a lack of modern mechanized capabilities compared to the invading Axis forces.

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What was the main strength of the Royal Yugoslav Navy?

Answer: Four destroyers and four submarines

Explanation: The core strength of the Royal Yugoslav Navy consisted of four destroyers and four submarines, supplemented by smaller vessels like motor torpedo boats and river monitors.

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Which factor significantly contributed to the rapid collapse of the Royal Yugoslav Army?

Answer: The simultaneous defense of all borders and internal political divisions.

Explanation: The rapid collapse of the Royal Yugoslav Army was significantly influenced by the strategic error of attempting to defend all borders simultaneously and the exacerbating effect of internal political divisions, particularly between Serbs and Croats.

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What happened to many of the Yugoslav aircraft that escaped the invasion?

Answer: They joined Allied air forces or were destroyed later.

Explanation: Many of the Yugoslav aircraft that successfully escaped the invasion and reached Allied territory were subsequently integrated into Allied air forces or were lost due to combat or attrition.

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Key Military Operations and Events

The German air campaign against Belgrade, codenamed 'Operation Retribution', began on April 6, 1941.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Luftwaffe initiated the invasion on April 6, 1941, with a massive air attack on Belgrade, codenamed 'Operation Retribution' (Unternehmen Strafgericht).

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The bombing of Belgrade had minimal impact on Yugoslav command and control systems.

Answer: False

Explanation: The air raids on Belgrade virtually destroyed the capital's communication systems, severely hampering the ability of the Yugoslav high command to coordinate with its forces in the field.

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The Royal Yugoslav Air Force successfully repelled the initial Luftwaffe attacks without significant losses.

Answer: False

Explanation: Despite achieving some aerial victories, the Royal Yugoslav Air Force suffered significant losses during its defense against the initial Luftwaffe attacks on April 6th and 7th.

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The Yugoslav offensive against Italian forces in Albania was successful and significantly aided the Yugoslav defense.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Yugoslav offensive in Albania was hampered by the rapid German advance and the fall of Skopje, failing to achieve its strategic objectives and thus not significantly aiding the overall Yugoslav defense.

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The four Yugoslav river monitors were captured intact by Axis forces.

Answer: False

Explanation: The four Yugoslav river monitors were scuttled by their crews on April 12, 1941, to prevent their capture by advancing Axis forces, rather than being captured intact.

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Fritz Klingenberg convinced the mayor of Belgrade to surrender the city through a large, overt military display.

Answer: False

Explanation: Fritz Klingenberg, a German captain, secured Belgrade's surrender through deception and bluff, not a large military display. He convinced the mayor that a significant German force was present and ready to bombard the city.

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The city of Niš was considered strategically unimportant by both Allied and Axis commands.

Answer: False

Explanation: The city of Niš was strategically vital as a key point for breaking Yugoslav defenses and enabling the Axis advance towards Belgrade, making it a crucial objective for both sides.

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The Yugoslav destroyer *Zagreb* was captured by Italian forces after the surrender.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Yugoslav destroyer *Zagreb* was deliberately scuttled by its own crew at Kotor to prevent its capture by Axis forces, rather than being captured intact.

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The Yugoslav offensive in Albania was successful due to superior Yugoslav naval support.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Yugoslav offensive in Albania was not successful and was hampered by the German advance. Furthermore, the source does not indicate that superior Yugoslav naval support was a factor in its outcome.

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The Yugoslav destroyer *Beograd* was sunk by Italian naval forces during the invasion.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Yugoslav destroyer *Beograd* was damaged by Italian aircraft off Šibenik, but the source does not state it was sunk by Italian naval forces during the invasion.

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The Yugoslav Supreme Command committed strategic reserves, including the 2nd Cavalry Division, to reinforce the defense of Niš.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Yugoslav Supreme Command did deploy strategic reserves, such as the 2nd Cavalry Division, to bolster defenses, including those around Niš. However, these units faced harassment from the Luftwaffe during transit.

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What was the codename for the Luftwaffe's initial air attack on Belgrade?

Answer: Unternehmen Strafgericht (Operation Retribution)

Explanation: The Luftwaffe's initial and devastating air campaign against Belgrade, commencing on April 6, 1941, was codenamed 'Unternehmen Strafgericht,' which translates to 'Operation Retribution'.

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What was a major consequence of the air raids on Belgrade?

Answer: Communication systems were severely hampered, disrupting command and control.

Explanation: The extensive air raids on Belgrade caused severe damage to the city's communication infrastructure, critically disrupting the Yugoslav high command's ability to coordinate military operations.

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How did the VVKJ respond to the initial Luftwaffe attacks on April 6th and 7th?

Answer: They launched counter-attacks, scoring numerous aerial victories despite heavy losses.

Explanation: Despite facing overwhelming odds, the Royal Yugoslav Air Force fighter squadrons engaged the Luftwaffe on April 6th and 7th, achieving notable aerial victories, albeit at a significant cost to their own strength.

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What was the outcome of the Yugoslav offensive launched against Italian forces in Albania?

Answer: It was hampered by the German advance and the fall of Skopje, failing to achieve strategic goals.

Explanation: The Yugoslav offensive in Albania, intended to support a strategic withdrawal, was ultimately hampered by the rapid German advance and the fall of Skopje, preventing it from achieving its strategic objectives.

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How did the Yugoslav destroyer *Zagreb* meet its end during the invasion?

Answer: It was deliberately scuttled by its crew to avoid capture.

Explanation: To prevent its capture by Axis forces, the Yugoslav destroyer *Zagreb* was deliberately scuttled by two junior officers at Kotor, rather than surrendering or being destroyed by enemy action.

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Who was Fritz Klingenberg, and what role did he play in the capture of Belgrade?

Answer: A German captain who bluffed his way into accepting Belgrade's surrender.

Explanation: Fritz Klingenberg, a German captain, played a crucial role in the swift capture of Belgrade by bluffing the city's mayor into believing a large German force was present and ready to attack, thus securing an early surrender.

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What was the strategic significance of the city of Niš for the Allied and Axis plans in the Balkans?

Answer: It was considered a crucial point for breaking Yugoslav defenses.

Explanation: The city of Niš was strategically vital as a key point for breaking Yugoslav defenses and enabling the Axis advance towards Belgrade, making it a crucial objective for both sides.

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What happened to the Yugoslav river monitors after facing German dive-bomber attacks?

Answer: They were scuttled by their crews.

Explanation: After enduring repeated attacks from German dive-bombers, the remaining Yugoslav river monitors were scuttled by their crews on April 12, 1941, to prevent their capture by advancing Axis forces.

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Partition and Immediate Aftermath

Following the invasion, Yugoslavia was partitioned, with Croatia becoming an independent state aligned with the Axis powers.

Answer: True

Explanation: After the invasion and partition by the Axis powers, Croatia was established as the Independent State of Croatia (NDH), a puppet state aligned with Germany and Italy.

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The Axis powers captured over 500,000 Yugoslav prisoners of war.

Answer: False

Explanation: While a large number of prisoners were taken, the combined total captured by German and Italian forces was between approximately 284,000 and 375,000, not over 500,000.

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The armistice ending the invasion came into effect on April 18, 1941, signifying an unconditional surrender.

Answer: True

Explanation: The armistice was signed on April 17, 1941, and came into effect at noon on April 18, 1941, marking the unconditional surrender of the Yugoslav Army after just eleven days of fighting.

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Yugoslav gold reserves were successfully evacuated to Greece during the invasion.

Answer: True

Explanation: During the evacuation of the Yugoslav government, the nation's gold reserves were airlifted to Greece using surviving aircraft, including Dornier Do 17Ks.

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The invasion led to the dissolution of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia as a sovereign state.

Answer: True

Explanation: The swift military defeat and subsequent occupation and partition by the Axis powers resulted in the dissolution of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia as a sovereign entity.

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Draža Mihailović immediately began organizing resistance forces in Serbia after the Yugoslav Army's surrender.

Answer: True

Explanation: Following the Yugoslav Army's surrender, Colonel Draža Mihailović promptly initiated the organization of resistance forces in the mountainous regions of Serbia and Eastern Bosnia.

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The Independent State of Croatia (NDH) was established as a sovereign state independent of Axis control.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Independent State of Croatia (NDH) was established as a puppet state, heavily influenced and controlled by the Axis powers, primarily Germany and Italy, rather than being truly independent.

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The invasion spurred the formation of resistance movements like the Yugoslav Partisans.

Answer: True

Explanation: The occupation and partition of Yugoslavia following the invasion directly contributed to the emergence and growth of significant resistance movements, including the Yugoslav Partisans and the Chetniks.

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Local uprisings occurred within Yugoslavia during the invasion, such as the proclamation of the Independent State of Croatia in Bjelovar.

Answer: True

Explanation: During the invasion, local uprisings and proclamations of independence occurred in various regions, including the declaration of the Independent State of Croatia in Bjelovar and Ustaša actions in Mostar.

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What happened to Yugoslavia after its partition by the Axis powers?

Answer: It was occupied and divided among Germany, Italy, Hungary, and Bulgaria, with Croatia becoming a puppet state.

Explanation: Following the invasion, Yugoslavia was occupied and partitioned by the Axis powers. Territories were annexed by Germany, Italy, Hungary, and Bulgaria, and Croatia was established as the Independent State of Croatia (NDH), a puppet regime.

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How many Yugoslav prisoners of war were captured by German and Italian forces combined?

Answer: Between 284,000 and 375,000

Explanation: The Axis powers captured a substantial number of Yugoslav prisoners of war, with estimates ranging between approximately 284,000 and 375,000 soldiers.

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When did the armistice officially come into effect, ending the invasion?

Answer: April 18, 1941

Explanation: The armistice, signifying the unconditional surrender of the Yugoslav Army, officially came into effect at noon on April 18, 1941, concluding the invasion after eleven days.

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How were the Yugoslav gold reserves transported during the evacuation?

Answer: By surviving aircraft, including Dornier Do 17Ks.

Explanation: The Yugoslav gold reserves were evacuated to Greece by air, utilizing surviving aircraft such as Dornier Do 17Ks and other transport planes during the government's flight.

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Which of the following territories was NOT annexed or directly controlled by an Axis power after the partition of Yugoslavia?

Answer: Montenegro (as an independent state)

Explanation: The statement 'Montenegro (as an independent state)' is false. Following the partition, Italy annexed territories along the Adriatic coast, which included Montenegro. Therefore, Montenegro was not an independent state but was directly controlled by an Axis power.

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