German occupation of Albania

Coordinates: 41°31′N 19°48′E / 41.517°N 19.800°E / 41.517; 19.800
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Albanian Kingdom
Mbretëria Shqiptare  (Albanian)
1943–1944
Flag of German occupation of Albania
Flag
Coat of arms of German occupation of Albania
Coat of arms
Motto: "Shqipëria Shqiptarëve, Vdekje Tradhëtarëvet"
"Albania for the Albanians, Death to the Traitors"[1]
Anthem: Himni i Flamurit
Hymn of the Flag
The Albanian Kingdom in 1943
The Albanian Kingdom in 1943
StatusClient state of Nazi Germany
CapitalTirana
41°31′N 19°48′E / 41.517°N 19.800°E / 41.517; 19.800
Common languagesAlbanian
Demonym(s)Albanian
GovernmentRegent constitutional monarchy under military occupation
Head of State 
• 1943
Ibrahim Biçakçiu[note 1]
• 1943–1944
Mehdi Frashëri[note 2]
Prime Minister 
• 1943–1944
Rexhep Mitrovica
• 1944
Fiqri Dine
• 1944
Ibrahim Biçakçiu
LegislatureRegency Council
Historical eraWorld War II
• German takeover
8 September 1943
• Liberation of Albania
29 November 1944
Area
193928,748 km2 (11,100 sq mi)
1940-194352,667 km2 (20,335 sq mi)
Population
• 1939
1,063,893
• 1940-1943
1,701,463
CurrencyFranga (1943–1944)
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Italian protectorate of Albania
Democratic Government of Albania
Democratic Federal Yugoslavia
Today part of

The German occupation of Albania refers to the short-lived occupation of Albania by Germany in World War II, specifically between 1943 and 1944. After Italy collapsed, Germany took control of the former Italian Protectorate of Albania, and turned it into a client state known as the Albanian Kingdom. The client state was liberated by the Allies in 1944.

The client state had Albania itself, aswell as parts of modern day North Macedonia, Montenegro, most of Kosovo, aswell as a few towns in Serbia. Most of its land became the Democratic Government of Albania, but the regions outside of Albania were given to Yugoslavia.



  1. Pearson, Owen (2006). Albania in Occupation and War: From Fascism to Communism 1940-1945. I.B.Tauris. p. 272. ISBN 978-1-84511-104-5.