FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
After almost two years of occupying Albania, Benito Mussolini (the Duce) set foot in our country for the first time. The purpose of this incognito and highly secret visit was not Albania, but the front of the Italo-Greek War where things were going from bad to worse. His sudden arrival was to raise the morale of the fascist troops, who were suffering defeat after defeat with the Greeks. The news of the Duce's visit to Albania was announced on May 10, 1941, almost a month and a half after he had arrived in Rome. In his honor and that of those who fell in the war, a gigantic memorial was later erected on the heights of Tërpan in Berat, but unfortunately, it was ruined by the mentality of the time.
Likewise, a beautiful memorial, but this one also suffered the fate of the first, was in the cemetery of Italian soldiers in Uznovë, Berat. The Duce stayed in Albania for 18 days, visiting the entire front line of the fighting.
According to a diary of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces of Albania, Mussolini, departing from Bari, arrived at Tirana airport on March 2, 1941, at 10:05 a.m. There he was received by General Cavallero, Viceroy General Jacomoni, and General Ranza.
Without stopping at all in Tirana, but only briefly in Ndroq where the Bersalieri of the 1st Italian Regiment was in command, he immediately set off towards Rehova in Berat. In Berat he was forced to temporarily stay among the soldiers of the “Bari” division, which was stationed on both sides of the Gorica Bridge, due to the Allied bombings that were taking place in the city.
After this short break at noon he was in Rehova where he tried to encourage the officers gathered there. At 15.00, he left Rehova and on the way to Fier he reviewed the “Siena” division. He spent the night in a unit located on the outskirts of the city of Vlora.
On March 3, the Duce set off towards Dhëmblan and Tërpan, reviewing the “Lupi di Toscana” regiment, the 67th Infantry Regiment of the “Legnano” division, and attending a religious mass for officers in Dhëmblan. In the evening, he returned to position 22 on the outskirts of Vlora, which became, in a way, his residence during the days of his stay in Albania.
On March 4, Mussolini left for Berat, on a busy day he met with the "Black Shirts" who were marching towards the city and with detachments of the "Bari" division, he stayed at Military Hospital No. 482 and then had breakfast with the workers who were repairing the road to Ujë i Zi.
In Rehovo, he spoke at length with the generals of the commands of the IV and VIII Army Corps, of the "Pinerolo", "Gagliari", "Puglie", "Bari", "Centauro" divisions, etc. In the evening, he returned to the base in Vlora.
On March 5, Mussolini went to the Devoll area where he visited the Albanian “volunteers”, returned to Kuçovë where he had lunch at the headquarters of AIPA (Azienda Italiana Petroli Albanesi). He went back to Berat, inquired about the wounded and after passing through the “Lanceri di Milano” magazine, returned to position 22, near Vlora.
On March 6, the Duce went to Dhërmi, where he visited the military hospital, returned to Llogara where he stayed at the naval observatory, then visited the Duchy's hospital center and reviewed the XVIII Infantry Regiment "Acqui"; he did the same in Shushicë with the XV Legion of the "Black Shirts" of Brescia and in Brataj with the 77th Infantry, "Lupi". Returning to his residence, in the afternoon he assisted in the exercises of the "Arditi" and visited hospital no. 118.
On March 7, at 10:00, Mussolini met with representatives of the villagers, to whom he donated a school, where he laid the first foundation stone. He spent the night at another base, at position no. 34, near Berat. On March 8, he went back to Rehova for a routine of meetings with officers and soldiers and slept at position no. 34.
On March 9, he assisted in the fighting, staying in the trenches all day. He did the same thing on March 10 and 11. On March 12, Mussolini, accompanied by General Priçolo, went to Elbasan, where he spoke with the commander of the 9th Army, General Pirzio Biroli. At 19:45, he returned to his previous position in Vlora.
On the 13th, 14th, 15th, there is nothing to note and it seems that his visit has come to an end, he stays all day at the observatory and eats bread with the soldiers. On the 16th of March, in the morning and afternoon, Mussolini received his generals. On the 17th of March, he passes through Elbasan once again. On the 18th of March, he went to Gramsh, inaugurated the bridge over Devoll and went to the Llixha Hospital.
On March 19, the Duce inquired about the defensive fortifications and the roads. On March 20, he visited the hospitals of Kras and went to Lake Ohrid; on his way back, he listened to the reports of the generals. On March 21, the fascist prime minister returned to Rome, dissatisfied and disappointed by what he saw on the war front. The balance of the Italo-Greek War was very tragic, but it is interesting that it is more or less even. / Memorie.al
Italy Greece
Killed 13,755 Killed 13,408
Injured 50,874 Injured 42,485
Sick 52,108 Sick 10,000
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