Albanian resistance against Italian invaders

Most of the Albanians did not accept the Italian occupation of their country. Resistance, wilful, unorganized, but persistent and in different forms, began since 1939. The most active were students and intellectuals, some of them reacting against the country fascistization projects. In 1941, especially after the Greek-Italian War, when Albanians had to face its consequences and economic hardship, resistance became more powerful. The first nationalist bands, which became the starting point of an armed resistance against the Italian occupiers, became more active.

The German attack on the Soviet Union cemented the group of countries fighting the Axis armies and was another incentive for communist groups to be involved in the resistance. In the span of a year (1941-42) were created: the CPA, the National Liberation Front and the Balli Kombetar (National Front). Armed resistance against the Italian occupiers became more organized. Chetas of Myslym Peza, Haxhi Lleshi, Mestan
Ujanikut, Abas Kupi, Safet Butka, Hysni Lepenice, Skender Muco etc. undertook a series of actions against the Italian occupiers.

In spring 1943, Balli Kombetar invited FNC to create several joint committees of coordination at local level, which took some joint actions against the Italian invaders,one of them being the battle of Gjormi in Vlora. Resistance against invaders led by FNC/Communist Party developed quickly. On July 10, 1943 was created the General Staff and so was in August the First Brigade of Albanian National Army