The XXIV Assault Brigade of the Albanian National Liberation Army was formed in Bicaj of Kukës. It was formed from the Luma battalion with young volunteers from the province of Kukës, with a total strength of 500 fighters, who were organized into four battalions. The brigade fought for the complete liberation of the country and helped to establish and strengthen the power of the national liberation councils. During this period, its workforce reached about 1000 people. From October 31 – November 7, 1944, in cooperation with the XXIII Assault Brigade, it hit the retreating German columns on the Kukës-Prizren road and caused significant losses. By order of the Headquarters of the I Assault Corps, on November 10 it participated in the fight for the liberation of Tirana, where it organized an ambush on the Tirana-Kashar road. After the liberation of Tirana, in cooperation with the XXIII Assault Brigade, it continued to pursue the retreating Nazi forces, on the Zeza-Milot-Lezhë-Shkodër bridge road. On November 24-26, it carried out effective training actions in pursuit of the enemy who was defending himself in the fortified region in Bërdica and Beltojë (Shkodër). After the liberation of Shkodra, on November 29, 1944, the XXIV Assault Brigade was tasked to cross the state border and operate in the direction of Ulcinj and further to Montenegro; then he worked in Malësia e Madhe and Dukagjin. The brigade was led by the headquarters with commander Ndreko Rino. 32 martyrs fell from its ranks. (In the photo: Partisans of the XXIV Brigade)
Text: Albanian encyclopedic dictionary – Vol. 1 , Academy of Sciences of Albania, “Kristalina-KH”, Tirana, 2008, page 307.
Photo: © Central State Archives
Graphic processing: AHCF
