The Albanian SS “Skanderbeg” Division - Albanian Collaboration during World War II

The Albanian SS "Skanderbeg" Division was a military unit formed during World War II as a part of Nazi Germany's efforts to recruit soldiers from various nationalities to fight for the Axis powers. The division was named after George Kastrioti Skanderbeg, a national hero of Albania who had fought against the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. Albania had been occupied by Italy since 1939, and in 1943, when Italy surrendered to the Allies, Germany occupied Albania as well. To consolidate their control over the region and bolster their military presence, the Nazis sought to create a pro-German Albanian military force. In April 1944, the Albanian SS "Skanderbeg" Division was officially formed, primarily composed of Albanian volunteers. It's important to note that the division wasn't directly integrated into the Waffen-SS, which was the combat branch of the Nazi SS. Instead, the Albanian division was part of the 21st Waffen Mountain Division of the SS "Skanderbeg" (1st Albanian). This division was intended to serve alongside German forces in the Balkans and other regions. The division's formation sparked mixed reactions within Albania. Some Albanians joined the division out of allegiance to the Axis powers, while others did so under coercion or due to economic factors. There were also individuals who joined in an attempt to protect their families or out of fear of reprisals by the Nazis. The division participated in Yugoslavia and Greece. It was involved in combat against both Partisan resistance forces and Allied troops. The division's actions were marked by brutality and atrocities, including massacres of civilian populations. As World War II reached its conclusion, the Albanian SS "Skanderbeg" Division was disbanded in 1945 as the Axis powers collapsed. Albania came under communist control after the war, and the wartime collaboration with the Axis powers, including the division's existence, became a taboo topic. The communist regime suppressed information about collaboration and focused on building a new national identity. The Albanian SS "Skanderbeg" Division remains a controversial and sensitive topic in Albania's history. It represents a complex chapter characterized by the interplay of geopolitical factors, nationalism, coercion, and collaboration under the shadow of wartime circumstances.
History Hustle presents: The Albanian SS “Skanderbeg” Division - Albanian Collaboration during World War II.
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SOURCES
- Albania at War, 1939-1945 (Bernd Jürgen Fischer).
- The Albanians. A Modern History (Miranda Vickers).
- Hitler's Jihadis, Muslim Volunteers of the Waffen-SS (Jonathan Trigg).
IMAGES
Images from commons.wikimedia.org and:
- www.nevingtonw...
- www.albanianpho...
- telegrafi.com/...
- Otto Klum - Prinz Eugen. The History of the 7 SS Mountain Division “Prinz Eugen.”
VIDEO
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• Albania as seen in 194...
Albania as seen in 1943(Nzi Movie)
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