The “XIV Assault Brigade” of the Albanian National Liberation Army was formed in Sheper of Zagoria from a battalion of Group I of Kurvelesh, a battalion of Group II of Mallakastra, and two battalions of Group IV of Cameria, totaling about 559 fighters. During the development of combat actions, the number of fighters increased with new volunteers, and by the end of September, the IV battalion was also formed. The XIV Assault Brigade conducted training combat actions in the province of Gjirokastra, in Saranda, and along the coast, as part of training units of the Albanian National Liberation Army for the liberation of the main cities of Southern Albania. In cooperation with a battalion of the XIX Assault Brigade, on September 18, it liberated Gjirokastra. With part of its forces and in collaboration with the XII Assault Brigade, it liberated Saranda on October 10. In these battles, the enemy suffered dozens of soldiers killed and many prisoners taken, as well as a significant amount of weapons and military materials. In coordination with other forces and the XIX Assault Brigade, it also liberated Delvina on October 11. On October 10, 1944, it joined the III Assault Division. A total of 25 martyrs fell from the ranks of the XIV Assault Brigade. After the liberation of Southern Albania, the Brigade took on the task of securing the state land border from Konispol to Peshkepi in Gjirokastra. At the beginning of 1945, it began publishing its organ “Voice of the Warrior.” The brigade was led by a headquarters with Commander Gjon Banushi and Political Commissar Gafur Çuçin. (In the photo: Partisans of the XIV Assault Brigade.)
Text: Albanian encyclopedic dictionary – Vol. 1 , Academy of Sciences of Albania, “Kristalina-KH”, Tirana, 2008, page 304-305.
Photo: © Central State Archives
Graphic processing: AHCF
