Albanian People's Heroes in Yugoslavia

A Personal Note Regarding this Page — N. Ribar

“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 Divisions of the National Liberation Army 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.

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

The Heroism, Self-Sacrifice, Discipline, Internationalism and Fighting Skill of the ANLA in Yugoslavia — Enver Hoxha (1981), Excerpt from The Titoites

Reminiscences from the ANLA in Yugoslavia — Ramiz Alia (1988), Excerpt from Our Enver

Excerpt from the Address to the Electors November 1982 — Enver Hoxha (1982)

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.

5th Division

On January 20, 1944, the 5th 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 Division. Hero of the People.

Ramiz Alia, commissar of the 5th Division.

Heroes of the People

6th Division

The 6th 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 Brigade, Hero of the People.
Haki Toska, deputy commissar of the 6th Brigade.

Heroes of the People