Mussolini's Laughter MTO (id:#67218)

(Dispatches from the Bunker #60 ID: DB197)   [next]   [previous]

Sarandë, Albania 1939-04-07 (2 others)

Overview:

The Allied Powers during the Great War gave Italy control of Albania but the Albanians were not consulted about this. At the end of the Great War Albania had neither an established government nor internationally recognized borders. This made it vulnerable to its neighbors Italy, Greece, and Yugoslavia, all of whom sought to expand their influence. Territorial tensions escalated as Yugoslavia, particularly Serbia, sought control of northern Albania, while Greece aimed at controlling southern Albania. Despite these efforts Italian influence continued to grow. In 1928, Ahmet Zogu transitioned Albania from a republic to a monarchy, and proclaimed himself King Zog I. For the next ten years, Italian influence continued, and the Royal Albanian Army (Ushtria Mbretërore Shqiptare) was being trained by Italian military instructors using Italian weapons. Through the 1930s Prime Minister Benito Mussolini continued to assert control over Albania. In 1937 he formalized a plan with Foreign Minister Gian Galeazzo Ciano to militarily place Albania back under Italian control.

Defender: Albanian/Partisans (Border Battalion Gjirokastër and Sarandë Gendarmes with Greek Orthodox Partisans)  

Errata (source)