Why do the Axis need a Balkan strategy? What is the downside of leaving well alone?
Axis prefer to align Yugoslavia with them but to do so might often be tricky. Conquering Greece is usually the toughest part and that without providing the Allies for a opportunity to align Yugoslavia themselves.
But what is important is that Yugoslavia is not in a position to align with the Allies later in the war so if aligning Yugoslavia is out then I suggest that conquering Yugoslavia is a must.
RAC:
19.7 Axis minor countries
....
Yugoslavia
An Axis major power that controls Athens can declare that Yugoslavia is aligning with it during any Axis
declaration of war step if:
• Yugoslavia is neutral; and
• Italy, Hungary, Rumania, Bulgaria, Greece and Albania are all Axis controlled.
....
19.8 Allied minor countries
Yugoslavia
The Commonwealth can declare that Yugoslavia is aligning with it during any Allied declaration of war step
if Yugoslavia is neutral and there are a total of 4 or more Commonwealth corps in any adjacent countries.
France can declare that Yugoslavia is aligning with it during any Allied declaration of war step if Yugoslavia
is neutral and there are a total of 4 or more French corps in any adjacent countries.
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