Vlora War
Encyclopedia
The Vlora War or the War of 1920 ( or Lufta e Njëzetes) was a series of battles between an Italian forces garrisoned throughout Vlorë
region and Albanian patriots divided in small groups of fighters. The war lasted three months and had great impact in the struggle of Albania for the safeguard of its territories at a time when Albanian borders and future were discussed in the Paris Peace Conference
. The Vlora War is seen as a turning point in the establishment of the Albanian independence
the Kingdom of Italy
had signed the Secret Treaty of London in which Italy promised to declare war against Germany
and Austria-Hungary
within a month, in exchange of some territorial gains at the end of the war. In this treaty the promised territories of Albania to Italy were treated in articles 6 and 7:
In 1920 in the Paris Peace Conference
the allies had still reached no decision on Albania's future, but Italy's claims to sovereignty over Vlorë had never been seriously challenged. Italian Prime Minister Nitti
had also hoped to obtain a mandate over the rest of the country according to the Secret Treaty of London
refused to hand over the Vlora district to the Albanian government. Albanian volunteers were organized by the National Defense Committee under the political leadership of Qazim Koculi
and they reached the number of 4,000, while Ahmet Lepenica
was appointed their commander in chief. In the meantime, Italy had 20,000 well-armed soldiers in the area.
The advance of the Albanian troops, and the revolutionary movements in Italy made the reinforcements basically impossible. On August 2, 1920 the Albanian-Italian protocol was signed, upon which Italy would retreat from Albania. This gave an end to Italian claims for Vlora and a mandate over Albania, rescuing the territory of the Albanian state from further partition. A cease-fire was announced on August 5, ending all Italo-Albanian hostilities.
After three months of warfare an armistice treaty was signed between Italian and Albanian government.
The substance of the Agreement was as follows:
This treaty was the first diplomatic pact between Albania and a foreign power. Albania had used all its influence to obtain full and unreserved recognition by the Powers of the independence of Albania within 1913 frontier.
Vlorë
Vlorë is one of the biggest towns and the second largest port city of Albania, after Durrës, with a population of about 94,000 . It is the city where the Albanian Declaration of Independence was proclaimed on November 28, 1912...
region and Albanian patriots divided in small groups of fighters. The war lasted three months and had great impact in the struggle of Albania for the safeguard of its territories at a time when Albanian borders and future were discussed in the Paris Peace Conference
Paris Peace Conference, 1919
The Paris Peace Conference was the meeting of the Allied victors following the end of World War I to set the peace terms for the defeated Central Powers following the armistices of 1918. It took place in Paris in 1919 and involved diplomats from more than 32 countries and nationalities...
. The Vlora War is seen as a turning point in the establishment of the Albanian independence
Background events
Before entering the First World War as an ally of Triple EntenteTriple Entente
The Triple Entente was the name given to the alliance among Britain, France and Russia after the signing of the Anglo-Russian Entente in 1907....
the Kingdom of Italy
Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)
The Kingdom of Italy was a state forged in 1861 by the unification of Italy under the influence of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which was its legal predecessor state...
had signed the Secret Treaty of London in which Italy promised to declare war against Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
within a month, in exchange of some territorial gains at the end of the war. In this treaty the promised territories of Albania to Italy were treated in articles 6 and 7:
Article 6
Italy shall receive full sovereignty over Valona, the island of Saseno and surrounding territory...
Article 7
Having obtained the Trentino and Istria by Article 4, Dalmatia and the Adriatic islands by Article 5, and also the gulf of Valona, Italy undertakes, in the event a small, autonomous, and neutralized state being formed in Albania Italy not to oppose the possible desire of France, Great Britain, and Russia to repartition the northern and the southern districts of Albania between Montenegro, Serbia, and Greece. The southern coast of Albania, from the frontier of the Italian territory of Valona to Cape Stilos, is to be neutrazied. The Italy will be conceded the right of concluding the foreign relations of Albania; in any case, Italy will be bound to secure for Albania a territory sufficiently extensive to enable its frontiers to join those of Greece and Serbia to the west of Lake Ochrida ..
In 1920 in the Paris Peace Conference
Paris Peace Conference, 1919
The Paris Peace Conference was the meeting of the Allied victors following the end of World War I to set the peace terms for the defeated Central Powers following the armistices of 1918. It took place in Paris in 1919 and involved diplomats from more than 32 countries and nationalities...
the allies had still reached no decision on Albania's future, but Italy's claims to sovereignty over Vlorë had never been seriously challenged. Italian Prime Minister Nitti
Francesco Saverio Nitti
Francesco Saverio Vincenzo de Paola Nitti was an Italian economist and political figure. A Radical, he served as the 36th Prime Minister of Italy between 1919 and 1920....
had also hoped to obtain a mandate over the rest of the country according to the Secret Treaty of London
Start of War
The war started on June 4, after the Italian general Settimo PiacentiniSettimo Piacentini
Settimio Piacentini was an Italian General of the Kingdom of Italy who actively participated in the World War I, especially in the Sixth and Seventh Battle of the Isonzo....
refused to hand over the Vlora district to the Albanian government. Albanian volunteers were organized by the National Defense Committee under the political leadership of Qazim Koculi
Qazim Koculi
Qazim Koculi was an Albanian politician of the early 20th century and one-day acting Prime Minister of Albania. He was also a distinguished military leader, having won the Vlora War in 1920, as the principal military commander of the Albanian forces.-Early life:Qazim, son of Muhamet Kociu, was...
and they reached the number of 4,000, while Ahmet Lepenica
Ahmet Lepenica
Ahmet Lepenica born Ahmet Islam Canaj was an Albanian fighter and commander, known for his role in Battle of Vlora when Albanian irregulars under his leadership, defeated a superior force of Italian troops. Ahmet Lepenica was born in 1872 in Lepenica village in Vlora region. As an adult he served...
was appointed their commander in chief. In the meantime, Italy had 20,000 well-armed soldiers in the area.
The advance of the Albanian troops, and the revolutionary movements in Italy made the reinforcements basically impossible. On August 2, 1920 the Albanian-Italian protocol was signed, upon which Italy would retreat from Albania. This gave an end to Italian claims for Vlora and a mandate over Albania, rescuing the territory of the Albanian state from further partition. A cease-fire was announced on August 5, ending all Italo-Albanian hostilities.
Albanian order of battle
| Albanian order of battle | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forces from Shullëri | Commander Kalo Telhai | ||||
| Forces from Kuta Kuta Kuta is administratively a district and subdistrict/village in southern Bali, Indonesia. A former fishing village, it was one of the first towns on Bali to see substantial tourist development, and as a beach resort remains one of Indonesia's major tourist destinations... |
Commanders: Rrapo Çelo and Halim Rakipi | ||||
| Forces from Dukat | Commanders: Sheme Sadiku and Hodo Zeqiri | ||||
| Forces from Lumi i Vlorës | Commander Sali Vranishti | ||||
| Forces from Fëngu | Commander Muço Aliu | ||||
| Forces from Kanina | Commander Beqir Velo | ||||
| Forces from Salari Salari Salari, or Salaria in its defined form, is a community in the Tepelenë District, Gjirokastër County, southern Albania.-Notable people:*Selam Musai, People's Hero of Albania*Gramoz Ruçi, politician... |
Commander Selam Musai Selam Musai Selam Musa Salaria or Selam Musai was one of the Albanian military leaders of the Vlora War. He died during fighting while showing an extraordinary act of heroism at the advanced age of 63... |
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| Forces from Kurvelesh | Commander Riza Runa | ||||
| Forces from Fterra Fterra Fterrë is a village in the municipality Lukovë, Sarandë District, southern Albania. It is located in a side valley of the Albanian Riviera, south of Kurvelesh and 10 km northeast of Borsh. It is 350 to 400 m above sea level on the western slope of Mt Maja e Lajthisë . The mountain slopes are... |
Commander Xhaferr Shehu | ||||
| Forces from Mallakastër Mallakastër Mallakastër is a massive hilly complex in the Mallakastër District, southwestern Albania. Its highest point is the hill Shëndëlli . is The people from this region are called Mallakastriotë. They do not speak a different dialect from other regions in southern Albania, but they do have some small... |
Commander Bektash Çakrani and Halim Hamiti | ||||
| Forces from Skrapar | Commander Riza Kodheli | ||||
| Forces from Berat Berat Berat is a town located in south-central Albania. As of 2009, the town has an estimated population of around 71,000 people. It is the capital of both the District of Berat and the larger County of Berat... |
Commanders: Seit Toptani and Izedin Vrioni | ||||
| Forces from Peqini | Commander Adem Gjinishi | ||||
| Forces from Gjirokastër Gjirokastër Gjirokastër is a city in southern Albania with a population of 43,000. Lying in the historical region of Epirus, it is the capital of both the Gjirokastër District and the larger Gjirokastër County... |
Commander Javer Hurshiti Javer Hurshiti Javer Hurshiti was an Albanian military figure from Gjirokastër. He was a commander during the Vlora War. He was also a prefect of Shkodër during World War II.... and Xhevdet Picari Xhevdet Picari Xhevdet Picari was an Albanian military figure from Gjirokastër. He was a commander during the Vlora War.-References:... |
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| Forces from Çamëria | Commander Alush Seit Taka and Muharrem Rushiti | ||||
| Forces from Korça Korča Korča is a village in the municipality of Hadžići, Bosnia and Herzegovina.-References:... |
Captains: Ferit Frashëri and Tosun Selenica | ||||
| Forces from Tirana Tirana Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over... |
Captain Ismail Haki Kuçi | ||||
| Albanian-American Albanian-American Albanian Americans are United States citizens of full or partial Albanian ancestry. Although according to data from a 2008 Survey of the United States Government, there are 201,118 Americans of full or partial Albanian descent.-Emigration History:... Volunteers |
Captain Aqif Përmeti and Kareiman Tatzani | ||||
Italian order of battle
| Italian order of battle | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area | Military Strength | Commander | |||
| Vlorë Vlorë Vlorë is one of the biggest towns and the second largest port city of Albania, after Durrës, with a population of about 94,000 . It is the city where the Albanian Declaration of Independence was proclaimed on November 28, 1912... -Kaninë Kaninë Castle Kaninë Castle is a castle in the village Kaninë near Vlorë, in southwestern Albania.-History:This castle was built in the village with the same name which is about 6 km from Vlorë. The castle rises on the side of the Shushica Mountain, about 380 meters above the sea level. The castle was built on... area |
Center of High Command of 36th division forces | Commander: General Settimo Piacentini. Division commander - General Emanuele Pugliese and his aid General De Luca. | |||
| Kotë Kotë Kotë is a municipality in the Vlorë District, Vlorë County, southwestern Albania. The municipality consists of the villages Kotë, Gumeicë, Hysoverdhë, Lapardha, Mavrovë, Mazhar, Vajzë, Vodicë, Shkallë Mavrovë and Drashovicë.... |
Road, food and hospital center. 4th command of mixed artillery. Alpine battalion, 72nd battalion of Infantry. | Command of Carabinieri forces. Commander General Enrico Gotti Enrico Gotti Enrico Gotti was an Italian General in the service of the Italian Army and the commander of the Italian forces in the Italian held Vlora in 1920. He died during the Battle of Vlora in Albania, killed in action.... , Commander of the garrison Cavallo Michele. |
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| Gjorm Gjorm Gjorm is a village in the Vlorë District, Vlorë County, southwestern Albania. It is part of the municipality Brataj.- World War II :During World War II Gjorm was part of the battlefield of the battle of Gjorm, where Albanian resistance units defeated and routed the troops of the Kingdom of Italy.... |
Center of a machine gun company | Commander Captain Bergamaschi | |||
| Matohasanaj Castle | 72 infantry battalion, infantry regiment, 182nd mountain artillery section 70 mm. | Commander major | |||
| Tepelenë Castle | Infantry battalion, 157th artillery section, carabinieri forces. | Commander major Bronzini. | |||
| Llogara Pass | Part of 35th battalion of 35th regiment of bersaglieri, 105th repart. | Commander Captain Boansea | |||
| Himarë Himarë Himarë is a bilingual region and municipality along the Albanian Riviera in southern Albania and part of the District of Vlorë. Apart from the town of Himarë, the region consists of 7 other villages: Dhërmi, Pilur, Kudhës, Qeparo, Vuno, Iljas, and Palasë.... |
Center of command of 35th regiment of bersaglieri. | Commander general Rossi, Colonel Manganeli. | |||
| Selenicë Selenicë Selenicë is a municipality in the Vlorë District, Vlorë County, southwestern Albania. The population is 6,900. The town is well-known for its bitumen mines. The football club is KS Selenicë.... |
Commander major Guadalupi | ||||
| Vlora Gulf | Battleships "San Mario", "Bruceti", "Dulio", Alkina" Orion, torpedinier "Arcione" | ||||
| Ujë i Ftohtë region (outskirt south of Vlorë Vlorë Vlorë is one of the biggest towns and the second largest port city of Albania, after Durrës, with a population of about 94,000 . It is the city where the Albanian Declaration of Independence was proclaimed on November 28, 1912... ) |
Aviation forces | ||||
| Panaja | Central magazines of the Italian army | ||||
| Vajzë - hospital and post command. | |||||
First Phase of the War (June 1920)
Peace Treaty
The substance of the Agreement was as follows:
- The Italian Government completely acknowledged the independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of Albania, within the frontiers defined in 1913 by the Conference of Ambassadors in London.
- The Italian government relinquished its protectorate proclaimed in 1917 and the occupation and administration of Vlorë and its hinterland, and renounced all claims against Albania and all interference in Albanian political affairs, and abandoned the idea of a mandate over the country
- The Italian government agreed to withdraw its war materials from Vlorë and its hinterland, to evacuate all its holdings on the Albanian mainland, and to repatriate at an early date the Italian troops actually stationed in Vlorë and on the littoral, and all its forces still remaining in other parts of Albanian territory with the exception of the garrison on the island of Sazan at the entrance of the Vlorë bay; Italy retained the permanent possession only of the island of Sazan, but remained in temporary occupation of Cape Linguetta and cape Treporti, both dominating Vlorë bay, with the right to fortify them; the detachment of troops at Shkodër was also to remain in that town.
- There would take place an exchange of prisoners, the liberation of arrested persons under a general mutual amnesty, and the settlement of outstanding questions concerning the private interests of Albanian and Italian subjects.
This treaty was the first diplomatic pact between Albania and a foreign power. Albania had used all its influence to obtain full and unreserved recognition by the Powers of the independence of Albania within 1913 frontier.
Further reading
- Akademia e Shkencave e RPSSH "Fjalori Enciklopedik Shqiptar", Tirana, 1985.
- Jacques, Edwin. Shqiptarët: Historia e popullit shqiptar nga lashtësia deri në ditët e sotme. Trans. Edi Seferi. Tirana: Mcfarland, 1995.
- Pearson, Owen. Albania in the Twentieth Century: A History. Volume One. New York: I.B. Tauris, 2006 (ISBN 1-84511-013-7).