Gus Bilirakis: “it is an honor to join my friend and colleague from New Jersey, Congressman Mike Pappas, to commemorate ``oxi'' day. The…”

“it is an honor to join my friend and colleague from New Jersey, Congressman Mike Pappas, to commemorate ``oxi'' day. The historical significance of this day and what it meant to the outcome of World War II cannot be overstated. By October 1940, World War II had begun, and the Nazi war machine was already in high gear. Along with Hitler's ally Mussolini, the German and Italian forces were threatening the whole of Europe. European nations were bowing to tyranny and destruction as the Germans and the Italians marched through Europe. Great Britain endured Germany's aerial bombardment, forcing Hitler to seek another avenue to subdue the British. Hitler intended to eliminate British operations in the Mediterranean in order to weaken their ability to deter German advances. To achieve this, Hitler needed the axis powers to strike at British forces from Greece. By conquering Greece, Hitler would gain access to an important connecting link with Italian bases in the Dodecanese Islands. This would give the Italians a strangle hold on British positions in Egypt, where British forces were already facing attack from the Italian Army in North Africa.”