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The Albanian Resistance of WW2 was a movement of largely Communist persuasion directed against the occupying Italian (until 1943) and then German forces in Albania, which led to the successful liberation of the country in 1944.
Albania and Italy had enjoyed a cooperative relationship in the early phases of the inter-war years, in which Italy heavily influenced Albanian economic, diplomatic, and military directions, but tensions slowly rose as Albania's poor economy led to its inability to repay loans. On 25 Mar 1939, Italy delivered an ultimatum demanding Albania's full submission, which was rejected. The invasion commenced on 7 Apr 1939, conquering the weaker nation within a week; both sides suffered a few hundred casualties in the brief war. King Zog I, Queen Geraldine Apponyi, and the infant Princess Leka fled to Greece (and later Britain), and Albania would remain under Italian control until 1944.
Albanian soldiers loyal to King Zog I ready themselves for battle against the Axis Italian invasion. On 7 April 1939 Italian troops invaded Albania but the Albanian armed resistance proved ineffective against the Italians.
Albania and Italy had enjoyed a cooperative relationship in the early phases of the inter-war years, in which Italy heavily influenced Albanian economic, diplomatic, and military directions, but tensions slowly rose as Albania's poor economy led to its inability to repay loans. On 25 Mar 1939, Italy delivered an ultimatum demanding Albania's full submission, which was rejected. The invasion commenced on 7 Apr 1939, conquering the weaker nation within a week; both sides suffered a few hundred casualties in the brief war. King Zog I, Queen Geraldine Apponyi, and the infant Princess Leka fled to Greece (and later Britain), and Albania would remain under Italian control until 1944.
Albanian soldiers loyal to King Zog I ready themselves for battle against the Axis Italian invasion. On 7 April 1939 Italian troops invaded Albania but the Albanian armed resistance proved ineffective against the Italians.
