Italian invasion of Albania
Italian naval strategists coveted the port of Vlorë and the island of Sazan because of their location at the entrance to the Bay of Vlorë. They wanted to construct a suitable base on these locations for military operations in the Balkans. The Italian Fascist regime legitimized its claim to Albania by conducting studies that proclaimed the racial affinity of Albanians and Italians. These studies claimed links between protohistoric Italic and Illyrian populations to justify possession of the territory. Italy had long been supportive of an independent Albanian state before World War I. During the war, Italy seized the southern half of Albania to avoid it being captured by Austro-Hungarians. This success did not last as Albanian resistance forced Italy to pull out in 1920. The desire to compensate for this failure became one of Mussolini's major motives in invading Albania.
Italy began to penetrate Albania's economy in 1925 when Albania agreed to allow Italy to exploit its mineral resources. That action was followed by the signing of the First Treaty of Tirana in 1926. A second treaty signed in 1927 enabled Italy and Albania to form a defensive alliance. The Albanian government and economy were subsidized by Italian loans throughout this period. The Royal Albanian Army was trained by Italian military instructors who held most officer positions. Other Italians were highly placed in the Albanian government structure. A third of all Albanian imports came from Italy during these years. King Zog I refused to completely give in to Italian pressure despite strong influence. In 1931 he openly stood up to the Italians by refusing to renew the 1926 Treaty of Tirana. After Albania signed trade agreements with Yugoslavia and Greece in 1934, Mussolini sent a fleet of warships to intimidate them.
On the 7th of April Mussolini's troops led by General Alfredo Guzzoni invaded Albania simultaneously attacking all Albanian ports. The original plans called for deployment of up to 50,000 men supported by 51 naval units and 400 airplanes. Ultimately the invasion force grew to 100,000 men but only 22,000 actually took part in the operation. Italian naval forces included battleships Giulio Cesare and Conte di Cavour plus three heavy cruisers and nine destroyers. Ships divided into four groups carried out landings at Vlorë Durrës Shëngjin and Sarandë. In Durrës a force of 500 Albanians including gendarmes and armed volunteers tried to halt the advance. Major Abaz Kupi commanded the gendarmerie while Mujo Ulqinaku served as a naval sergeant. They resisted the Italians for a few hours before being defeated by Italian naval fire. By 1:30 pm on the first day all Albanian ports were in Italian hands.
King Zog his wife Queen Geraldine Apponyi and their infant son Leka fled to Greece the same day they lost control. They took with them part of the gold reserves from the Albanian central bank. An angry mob attacked prisons after hearing the news and liberated prisoners who had been detained. The crowd sacked the King's residence during the chaos that followed. At 9:30 am on the 8th of April Italian troops entered Tirana and quickly captured all government buildings. Italian columns then marched to Shkodër Fier and Elbasan. Shkodër surrendered in the evening after 12 hours of fighting. During the advance in Shkodër the mob besieged the prison and liberated some 200 prisoners. Many high-ranking officers left the country when mobilization of reserves was called. The Minister of the Interior Musa Juka moved to Yugoslavia the same day. People felt abandoned by their government even though King Zog announced he would resist occupation.
On the 12th of April the Albanian parliament voted to depose Zog and unite the nation with Italy in personal union. They offered the Albanian crown to Italy's King Victor Emmanuel III. The parliament elected Albania's largest landowner Shefqet Vërlaci as Prime Minister. Vërlaci served as interim head of state for five days until Victor Emmanuel III formally accepted the crown. A ceremony took place at the Quirinale palace in Rome where Victor Emmanuel III became King of the Albanians. He appointed Francesco Jacomoni di San Savino to represent him in Albania as Lieutenant-General of the King. This role effectively functioned as a viceroy position over the occupied territory. On the 15th of April 1939 Albania withdrew from the League of Nations which Italy had resigned from in 1937. The Albanian foreign ministry merged into the Italian foreign ministry on the 3rd of June 1939. Xhemil Dino became an Italian ambassador after serving as Albanian Foreign Minister.
The economies of Albania and Italy were merged by a customs union that removed most trade restrictions. Through this tariff union the Italian tariff system was put in place across Albania. The Italian government provided Albania 15 million Albanian leks each year as compensation for expected economic losses. Italian capital dominated the Albanian economy allowing companies to hold monopolies in natural resource exploitation. All petroleum resources went through Agip Italy's state petroleum company. Italian customs laws applied throughout Albania while only Italy could conclude treaties with third parties. Albania followed Italy into war against Britain and France on the 10th of June 1940. The country served as the base for the Italian invasion of Greece in October 1940. Albanian troops participated in the Greek campaign but massively deserted the front line during operations.
In May 1941 Albania was enlarged by annexation of Kosovo and parts of Montenegro and the Vardar Banovina. This expansion went a long way towards realization of nationalistic claims for a Greater Albania. Part of the western coast called Chameria remained under rule of an Albanian High Commissioner who exercised nominal control. When Italy left Axis powers in September 1943 Wehrmacht troops immediately occupied Albania in a short campaign. They also occupied Italy following the collapse of the Fascist regime there. During World War II Albanian Partisans including some nationalist groups fought sporadically against Italians after autumn 1942. These partisans subsequently fought against the German Wehrmacht forces occupying the region. By October 1944 Army Group E had withdrawn from southern Balkans due to military defeats suffered at hands of Red Army. After Wehrmacht left Albania rapid advance of Albanian Communist forces crushed nationalist resistance. Enver Hoxha leader of Albanian Communist Party became ruler of the country following these events.
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Common questions
When did the Italian invasion of Albania begin?
Mussolini's troops invaded Albania on the 7th of April 1939. The attack simultaneously targeted all Albanian ports including Vlorë, Durrës, Shëngjin, and Sarandë.
Who led the Italian forces during the invasion of Albania in 1939?
General Alfredo Guzzoni commanded Mussolini's invading troops. The operation ultimately involved up to 100,000 men though only 22,000 participated directly.
What happened to King Zog I after the Italian occupation of Albania?
King Zog I fled to Greece with his wife Queen Geraldine Apponyi and their son Leka on the same day control was lost. He refused to completely give in to Italian pressure before fleeing despite announcing resistance.
How many days did it take for Italy to capture all Albanian ports during the 1939 invasion?
All Albanian ports were in Italian hands by 1:30 pm on the first day of the invasion. This occurred on the 7th of April 1939 following a few hours of resistance from Albanian gendarmes and volunteers.
When did Albania officially unite with Italy through personal union?
The Albanian parliament voted to depose Zog and unite with Italy on the 12th of April 1939. Victor Emmanuel III formally accepted the crown at the Quirinale palace in Rome shortly thereafter.