The IX Assault Brigade of the Albanian National Liberation Army was formed in Lozhan of Korça. It was formed by the “Fuat Babani”, “Reshit Çollaku”, “Tomori”, “Skënder Çaçi” and “Hakmarrja” battalions, with a force of 1493 fighters organized in five battalions. On October 21, 1944, its IV battalion hit the German checkpoint at the entrance to Korça from the direction of Erseka, and the II battalion hit the German garrison in Dvoran. In cooperation with the II Assault Brigade and the XX Assault Brigade, it participated in the liberation of Korça and Bilisht, causing damage to the enemy in people, as well as capturing a significant amount of weaponry and war material. On October 30, 1944, the IX Assault Brigade occupied the Bilisht-Ersekë-Leskovik line, with the task of securing the state border in this area. On December 14, it joined the VII Assault Division. At the beginning of 1945, it started to publish its organ “Oshtima e partizanit” (“Partisan’s Echo”). It was led by the headquarters with commander Irakli Bozon and political commissar Mihallaq Ziçishti. (Pictured: IX Brigade on inauguration day.)
Text: Albanian encyclopedic dictionary – Vol. 1 , Academy of Sciences of Albania, “Kristalina-KH”, Tirana, 2008, page 303.
Photo: © Central State Archives
Graphic processing: AHCF
