In Albania, World War II began with its invasion by Italy in April 1939.
Fascist Italy set up Albania as its protectorate or puppet state.
The resistance was largely carried out by Communist groups against the Italian (until 1943) and then German occupation in Albania.
At first independent, the Communist groups united in the beginning of 1942, which ultimately led to the successful liberation of the country in 1944.
The Center for Relief to Civilian Populations (Geneva) reported that Albania was one of the most devastated countries in Europe.
60,000 houses were destroyed and about 10% of the population was left homeless.
In spite of Albania’s long-standing protection and alliance with Italy, on 7 April 1939 Italian troops invaded Albania, five months before the start of the Second World War.
The Albanian armed resistance proved ineffective against the Italians and, after a short defense, the country was occupied. On 9 April 1939 the Albanian king, Zog I fled to Greece.
In an effort to win Albanian support for Italian rule, Ciano and the Fascist regime encouraged Albanian irredentism in the directions of Kosovo and Chameria.
Despite Jacomoni’s assurances of Albanian support in view of the promised “liberation” of Chameria, Albanian enthusiasm for the war was distinctly lacking.
The few Albanian units raised to fight during the developments of the Greco-Italian War (1940–1941) alongside the Italian Army mostly “either deserted or fled in droves”.
Albanian agents recruited before the war, are reported to have operated behind Greek lines and engaged in acts of sabotage but these were few in number.
Support for the Greeks, although of limited nature, came primarily from the local Greek populations who warmly welcomed the arrival of the Greek forces in the southern districts
