Yugoslav-Albania Front

Map of Albania with its annexed territories after the invasion of Yugoslavia
Location
Kingdom of Yugoslavia and Albania
Result Italian victory (1941), Allied victory (1944)
Territorial
changes		 The Italian protectorate of Albania gains Yugoslav lands inhabited by notable Albanian populations (1941)
Belligerents

 Italy

  Yugoslavia
Commanders and leaders
Fascist Italy (1922–1943) Alessandro Pirzio Biroli Kingdom of YugoslaviaPetar Nedeljković
Units involved
2 infantry corps
Sector troops		 Third Army[1]
Strength
>50,000 troops stationed on or near the front 3 infantry divisions
1 battalion

The Yugoslav-Albania Front was the border between Italian protectorate of Albania and the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. This war front was opened on 6 April 1941, when the Axis declared war on Yugoslavia. After the invasion ended, Albania gained various lands from Southern Yugoslavia, with Albanian populations. This front was later opened again during the Kosovo Operation of 1944, which resulted in an allied victory against the Axis military.

Invasion of Yugoslavia

When the invasion of Yugoslavia began, the Italian military, led by General Alessandro Pirzio Biroli, attempted to invade Yugoslavia through northern Albania.[2] This initial invasion attempt failed, and in contrast, Yugoslav forces invaded Albania, due to Italy's weakness because of the ongoing invasion from the Kingdom of Greece. However, by 12 April 1941, Bulgarian forces, and soon German forces reached the Albanian front to assist the Italians.

Kosovo Operation (1944)

Following the 1944 Bulgarian coup d'état, Bulgaria turned to the side of the allies. From 15 October 1944 to 22 November 1944, the Kosovo Operation took place with the goal to liberate Kosovo from Axis powers. The main forces during the operation were theBulgarian 2nd Army supported by multiple Yugoslav divisions. During this operation, the 1st through 5th "Kosovo-Metohija" Brigades and the Albanian 3rd and 5th Brigades of the People's Liberation Army of Albania also took place in these battles.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Geografski institut JNA 1952, p. 1.
  2. ↑ Loi 1978, p. 76.
  3. ↑ "Kosovska Operacija".
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