The “Battle of Përmet” unfolded as a major offensive of the Albanian National Liberation Army against Italian forces, involving partisan battalions from the districts of Korçë, Gjirokastër, and Berat, with around 700 partisans and several dozen volunteers from territorial units, aimed at destroying enemy garrisons. For the direction of the battles, an operational headquarters was established on June 28 with representatives from all three districts. The enemy had one battalion and one company of carabinieri in Përmet, totaling around 600 men, and one battalion in Kuqar, with about 400 men, all positioned in fortified areas. The main blow of the partisan forces was directed against the garrison of Kuqar, together with the forces of the partisan battalions “Ali Kelmendi,” “Themistokli Gërmenji,” “Hakmarrja,” and part of the partisan battalion “Riza Cerova.” They were supported in the attack by the Rrëza e Përmetit and Opari partisan units. The partisans repeatedly attacked the enemy positions, but the enemy stood firm, especially exploiting the fortifications. In Përmet, the Italian garrison was besieged in the barracks, hit from all sides by partisan fire. The enemy received numerous reinforcements from Tepelena and Berat. On July 2, fierce battles took place in the Mezhgoran gorge with a motor column coming from Tepelena to aid the besieged garrisons. Only on July 5, with the arrival of fresh forces from Berat, creating a significant superiority with around 2,000 soldiers, did the enemy manage to break towards Këlcyrë. The partisan forces withdrew from Kuqar and Përmet to avoid the risk of annihilation. The enemy losses were significant: over 500 killed, wounded, and significant material damage. The enemy entered Përmet on July 6 and 7 and, after looting it, burned down 177 shops, 125 houses, and 10 government buildings. They also burned Këlcyrë and villages along the highway. The “Battle of Përmet” deeply shook the occupiers. The command of the Italian Ninth Army in Albania asserted that the military actions during the Berat-Këlcyrë-Përmet axis demonstrated a broad idea, careful preparation, determined direction, and clear coordination of the operation. (In the photo: View from the city of Përmet.)
Text: Albanian encyclopedic dictionary – Vol. 2 , Academy of Sciences of Albania, “Kristalina-KH”, Tirana, 2008, page 1551-1552.
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