Italian Invasion of Albania

Fascist Italy sought to strengthen its influence in the Balkans and control the strategic approaches to the Adriatic Sea. Albania was already under heavy Italian political and economic pressure.

Fascist Italy sought to strengthen its influence in the Balkans and control the strategic approaches to the Adriatic Sea. Albania was already under heavy Italian political and economic pressure.

On 7 April 1939, Italian forces began the invasion. Over the following days Albania was occupied and its state independence was effectively abolished.

The occupation occurred before Germany's war against Poland. It formed part of the wider expansionist policy of Benito Mussolini's regime.

The Italian presence in Albania later became important to fighting in the Balkans, especially Italy's attack on Greece in October 1940.

Source: View historical source ↗