The “XIX Assault Brigade” of the Albanian National Liberation Army was formed in Theollogo (now Partizani) in Saranda, comprising fighters from the “Thoma Lula,” “Thanas Ziko,” and “Pandeli Boçari” battalions of Group IV of Operative Zone I, totaling about 800 members organized into 3 battalions. The brigade quickly began combat operations aimed at destroying isolated garrisons, attacking German convoys, and dismantling collaborationist forces. On September 18, 1944, its second battalion, in cooperation with the forces of the XIV Assault Brigade, successfully liberated Gjirokastra. Following training and combat actions, part of the forces of the XIX Assault Brigade participated in battles for the liberation of Saranda and Delvina alongside the XIV and XII Assault Brigades. By order of the General Command of the Albanian National Liberation Army, on October 10, 1944, the brigade was tasked with securing the coastal border from Vlora to Konispol. Led by commissar Vangjo Mitrojorgjin, the XIX Assault Brigade suffered the loss of 53 martyrs. At the beginning of 1945, the brigade published the newspaper “Brotherhood” (“Vllazerimi“). (In the photo: Partisans of the XIX Assault Brigade)
Text: Albanian encyclopedic dictionary – Vol. 1, Academy of Sciences of Albania, “Kristalina-KH”, Tirana, 2008, page 306.
Photo: © Central State Archives
Graphic processing: AHCF
