Battle of Përmet

The Battle of Përmet or Battle of Kuqarit (Albanian: Beteja e Kuqarit) was a battle of the Albanian Resistance of World War II against the Italian Fascists. The battle took place in 1943 near Kuqari.^[4][5]

Battle of Përmet
Part of World War II in Albania
Date May 16–July 6, 1943 Location Kuqari, Albania Result Albanian victory Successful Albanian attack
Belligerents
LANÇ	Italy
Commanders and leaders
Ali Kelmendi Asim Zeneli †	Unknown
Strength
700-1000[1][2] Albanian partisans	2 battalions (1000 soldiers) From June 5, (2000 soldiers) [3]
Casualties and losses
9 KIA	Over 500 KIA great material damage
177 stores burned, 125 houses and 10 government administration buildings were destroyed

Background

In 1943 the Albanian partisans decided to launch a major attack on the Italian forces.^[6] The Albanian partisans battalions from Gjirokastër, Korçë and Berat took part in this battle. This fight was conducted under the direction of Enver Hoxha. The enemy, on the other hand, had a battalion and a company of carabinieri in Përmet stationed in fortified areas like Kuqar.^[7]

The Albanian partisan group was led by the partisans Ali Kelmendi and Asim Zeneli.^[8][9]

The battle

The Albanian partisans started attacking the enemy positions with over 700 Partisans,^[10] but this was to no avail as the Italians used their fortifications. When the Italian garrison arrived in Përmet, the Italians were hit from all sides by the Albanian partisans . The Italians called reinforcements from Tepelena and Berat, they then outnumbered them and had a total number of over 3000 soldiers.^[7][11] This gave them a big lead. The Albanian partisans, however, remained steadfast.

Aftermath

The Italians lost many of their soldiers in this battle, they lost over 500 soldiers and also suffered great material damage.^[12] The Albanian partisans, on the other hand, lost 9 of their men,^[9][13] including Asim Zeneli.

References

1. Fjalor enciklopedik shqiptar 2008, p. 1552.
2. Peçi 1984, p. 109.
3. Çami 1976, p. 233.
4. Topollaj, Hulësi (1968). Partizanët e Gramozit (in Albanian). Shtëpia Botonjëse "Naim Frashëri". p. 6.
5. Konferenca Kombëtare e Studimeve për Luftën Antifashiste Nacionalclirimtare të popullit shqiptar (in Albanian). 8 Nëntori. 1975. p. 222.
6. "Kujtimet e Rita Markos: Italia në grahmat e fundit, si po përgatiteshim për luftën me gjermanët". Gazeta Tema. 2018-07-14. Retrieved 2022-10-28.
7. "LUFTA E PËRMETIT – Enciklopedia Shqiptare" (in Albanian). Retrieved 2022-10-28.
8. Fjalor enciklopedik shqiptar (in Albanian). Akademia e Shkencave e RPSSH. 1985. p. 75.
9. Zija Xholi; Ylli Vejsiu, eds. (2008–2009). Fjalor enciklopedik shqiptar (Botim i ri ed.). Tiranë: Akademia e Shkencave e Shqipërisë. ISBN 978-99956-10-27-2. OCLC 426069353.
10. Peçi, Shefqet (1984). Fragmente nga epopeja e lavdishme (in Albanian). Shtëpia Botuese "8 Nëntori. p. 109.
11. Çami, Muin (1976). Lufta e popullit shqiptar per çlirimin kombetar, 1918-1920 (in Albanian). Akademia e Shkencave e RPSH, Instituti i Historisë. p. 233.
12. "Lufta e Permetit".
13. Marksiste-Leniniste, Instituti i Studimeve (1986). Historia e Luftes Antifashiste Nacionalc̦lirimtare të popullit shqiptar (in Albanian). Shtëpia Botuese "8 Nëntori". p. 287.