Italian landing at Vlorë

The Italian landing at Vlorë was one of the main confrontations in Labëria during the April 1939 Italian invasion of Albania. It took place on 7 April, the first day of the invasion, between Italian and Albanian forces, and resulted in an Italian victory.

Background

In early April 1939, as tensions with the Kingdom of Italy escalated, defensive preparations were undertaken in the Vlorë region. On 4 April 1939, Colonel Ali Rizai was incorporated into the defensive command structure for the area.

At approximately the same time, Major Bilal Nivica and Colonel Rizai were reportedly dispatched from Tirana with around 1,200 weapons, along with ammunition and logistical support, to reinforce the city. The Vlorë garrison was subsequently placed under Rizai’s authority.

Albanian defensive organization

By 7 April 1939, the Vlorë sector was officially under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Kuku. According to military-historical sources, the defensive structure consisted of:

• Two infantry battalions
• One gendarmerie battalion
• Two artillery sections
• One engineering platoon

In parallel with formal military preparations, local resistance efforts were organized in the city. Gafurr Jegeni arrived in Vlorë after being ordered by King Zog to bring his Skelë unit to the city in early April. Stationed near the pier at Bestrovë, he began mobilizing civilian volunteers. Working alongside Mark Pjetër Doçi, he gathered weapons from gendarmerie depots and organized defensive groups positioned near Uji i Ftohtë and the port area.

Italian landing and initial engagements

In the early morning of 7 April 1939, Italian naval and air forces approached Vlorë as part of a coordinated assault on Albanian ports. Bombardment from sea and air preceded landing attempts at the harbor.

Reports attributed to Colonel Ali Rizai indicate that Albanian forces engaged the landing troops with a border guard company under Captain Ded Nikolla, supported by approximately 50 gendarmes. Fighting initially concentrated around the port facilities.

According to later testimonies, the first organized resistance at the pier and in nearby Bestrovë was led by Gafurr Jegeni and Mark Pjetër Doçi. Italian troops reportedly came under fire upon landing, sustaining casualties from shrapnel and temporarily dispersing into nearby olive groves to regroup.

Fighting

During the initial clashes, Italian forces reinforced their landing with additional motorboats and suppressive fire. Albanian defenders opened fire as Italian troops disembarked, forcing some units to briefly withdraw before resuming the assault.

Neshat Tefik Shehu, identified in accounts as the commander of the “Kaptina” battalion, played a notable role in the fighting. He reportedly fought alongside Jegeni, Doçi, and other volunteer and military elements during the engagement.

Despite localized resistance, Italian forces maintained numerical and material superiority, supported by naval and aerial bombardment.

Collapse of resistance and withdrawal

By midday on 7 April 1939, Albanian resistance in Vlorë had largely been overcome. Broader accounts indicate that Italian forces captured the city within approximately five hours of the initial assault.

By approximately 13:30, all major Albanian ports, including Vlorë, were under Italian control.

See also

• Battle of Durrës
• Italian invasion of Albania