Albanian People’s Heroes in Yugoslavia

A Personal Note Regarding this Page — N. Ribar


“There is no force which can turn the blood of our heroes into water.” — COMRADE ENVER HOXHA

“The decision to send two divisions of the National Liberation Army to pursue the German army in Yugoslavia has special political importance. In this way we assist the fraternal Yugoslav peoples in their heroic struggle for national liberation. On the other hand, with this act our people show that they are consistent in their anti-fascist war and that they will never cease it until the Hitlerite military machine is finally destroyed.” — COMRADE ENVER HOXHA

After the liberation of Albania, by decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Albania and on the orders of the Commander-in-Chief of the Albanian Anti-Fascist National Liberation Army (ANLA), Comrade Enver Hoxha, the 5th and 6th Assault Divisions of the ANLA followed the Hitlerite invaders into the lands of Yugoslavia.

During 1942-1945, beyond the state borders of Albania, in Dibra and Macedonia, in Kosova and Montenegro, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, more than 20,000 ANLA fighters heroically fought against the Italian-German occupiers for the liberation of the Albanian brothers in Kosova and the peoples of Yugoslavia. The Albanian and Yugoslav soldiers, fighting shoulder to shoulder against the nazi hordes, in December 1944 and in January-February 1945 liberated Montenegro, the Sandžak and the southern part of Bosnia. With their profoundly internationalist stand, their communist behaviour and unparalleled heroism in battle, the Albanian partisans won the deep respect and admiration not only of the Albanian, but also of the Macedonian, Montenegrin and Sandžak populations of Yugoslavia as well. In the battle for the liberation of the peoples of Yugoslavia, hundreds of Albanian partisans laid down their lives.

The Advance of the Albanian National Liberation Army into Yugoslavia — Excerpt from The History of the Military Art of the Anti-Fascist National Liberation War of the Albanian People

Military Exploits of Our Divisions Beyond the Borders of Our Homeland — Lefter Kasneci (1966)

Honouring the Albanian Partisans Who Fell Beyond the Homeland — Enver Hoxha (1981), Excerpt from The Titoites

Reminiscences Among the Albanian Partisans in Yugoslavia — Ramiz Alia (1988), Excerpt from Our Enver

The Blood of Our Martyrs and the Plots of Tito — Enver Hoxha (1982)

My Special Mission in Yugoslavia: Repatriating 300 Fallen Albanian Partisans in Montenegro and Bosnia — Interview with Hysni Daja by Dashnor Kaloçi, Memorie.al

Partisan units of the ANLA marching into the lands of Yugoslavia

Scenes from Battles in the Lands of Yugoslavia

Fighters of the Anti-Fascist National Liberation Army of Albania and the Anti-Fascist National Liberation Army of Yugoslavia in the lands of Yugoslavia.
ANLA fighters in the lands of Yugoslavia pay tribute to the memory of their fallen comrade on the field of honour.
ANLA fighters parade through the cities of Yugoslavia they liberated together with the National Liberation Army of Yugoslavia.
From the departure of ANLA fighters from their Homeland to participate in battles for the liberation of Yugoslavia.
From the departure of ANLA fighters from their Homeland to participate in battles for the liberation of Yugoslavia.

5th Assault Division

Fighters and cadres of the 5th Assault Division, among whom were comrades Hysni Kapo (third from the right standing), Manush Myftiu (third from the right sitting) and Shefqet Peci (second from the left standing).
Fighters and cadres of the 5th Assault Division.

On January 20, 1944, the 5th Assault Division was inaugurated in Tërbaç with fighters from the Vlora district. For its self-sacrificing and high heroism in the fight against the fascist invaders and traitors, it was awarded the title of “Hero of the People” with the following honours:

“For its self-sacrificing and high heroism in the struggle against the fascist invaders and traitors, for its outstanding contribution to the liberation of the Homeland and the establishment of people’s power.

“It has always fulfilled its great military and political tasks towards the people and the Party with unmatched bravery and unwavering loyalty, while at the same time demonstrating a deep spirit of proletarian internationalism when the Commander-in-Chief assigned it to go with other units of the National Liberation Army to assist in the liberation of the peoples of Yugoslavia…”

Hysni Kapo, commissar of the 5th Assault Division. Hero of the People.
Ramiz Alia, commissar of the 5th Assault Division.
The inauguration of the 5th Assault Division.
The inauguration of the 5th Assault Division.

Heroes of the People

6th Assault Division

Cadres and fighters of the 6th Assault Division
Cadres and fighters of the 6th Assault Division

The 6th Assault Division was formed on January 26, 1944, with partisans from the Vlora-Gjirokastra operative zone. For its exceptional heroism and self-sacrifice in fulfilling its significant military and political duties, it was awarded the title “Hero of the People” with the following honours:

“For outstanding heroism and self-sacrifice in fulfilling its significant military and political duties, for its distinguished contribution to the liberation of the Homeland from fascist invaders and traitors, and the establishment of people’s power. It has consistently fought with rare courage and unwavering loyalty to the people and the Party, achieving brilliant victories over the enemies and always upholding the name of the National Liberation Army. It also performed its duty with honour and a deep spirit of internationalism, as assigned by the Commander-in-Chief to depart with other ANLA units to assist in the liberation of the peoples of Yugoslavia.”

Mustafa Matohiti (on the right), commissar of the 6th Assault Division, Hero of the People.
Haki Toska, deputy commissar of the 6th Assault Division.
Cadres and fighters of the 6th Assault Division.

Heroes of the People