World War II in Albania

Albania’s experience of World War II, marked by Italian and German occupation, competing resistance movements, and liberation by communist-led partisans in 1944.

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Italian invasion of Albania: Italy’s military invasion and annexation of Albania in April 1939. It began the occupation that shaped Albania’s wartime politics and resistance.
Albanian independence: Albania’s emergence as an independent state from Ottoman rule in 1912. Its fragile sovereignty formed the backdrop to Italy’s 1939 annexation.
Enver Hoxha: Albanian communist leader who headed the National Liberation Movement and later ruled Albania. He led the movement that emerged from the war as Albania’s governing power.
Balli Kombëtar: An Albanian nationalist organization that opposed occupation and sought a greater Albania. Its rivalry and changing relations with communist partisans fractured the resistance.
Italian protectorate of Albania: The Italian-controlled Albanian state established after the 1939 invasion. Its institutions tied Albanian governance to Italy before German forces took control.
Ahmet Zogu: Albanian political leader who ruled as president and then King Zog from 1925 to 1939. His rule ended when he fled during Italy’s invasion.
Abaz Kupi: Albanian military officer and nationalist resistance leader during World War II. His movement represented a major noncommunist alternative to the partisan leadership.
Legaliteti: An Albanian royalist movement that supported restoring King Zog during World War II. It offered a monarchist alternative to both communists and Balli Kombëtar.
Albanian resistance during World War II: Armed and political opposition to Axis rule in Albania during World War II. Resistance groups fought occupation while competing over Albania’s postwar future.
Kingdom of Albania (1928–1939): The Albanian monarchy established under Ahmet Zogu in 1928 and ended by Italian invasion. Its loss of independence preceded Albania’s wartime occupation.