Enver Hoxha with the partisans during the anti-fascist offensive of 1944, painting 1971, F. Haxhiu -- Daily LIFT #1559
During the Second World War Albania was occupied first by the forces of fascist Italy and then by the Nazis. All during this time the Albanian people resisted the occupation and eventually -- primarily under the leadership of the Albanian Communist Party and future Albanian Communist leader Enver Hoxha -- a partisan movement arose that, with the help of partisans from Yugoslavia, would fully liberate the country in November, 1944. It is a remarkable story of courage and resilience.
After the collapse of fascist Italy in 1943 the partisans in Albania made large gains that the Germans then pushed back late in the year.
In February and March of 1944 a partisan counter-offensive drove the Germans back and set the stage for final victory.
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