Zaim Qyteza

Dear all, Some days ago, I find to the National Archives, the original picture that was used to the publication of 1928, cited from me at the beginning of this topic. I think that this picture can help you to distinguish other details of this self-created uniform of Ahmed Zog. Thanks, Artan

Bob, Thank you for the good impressions about my book. I am very happy to receive any kind of suggestions about it. Regards, Artan

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Dear Eric and friends, Finally I finish my book about the Albanian Medals Here enclosed some informations about it. ALBANIAN MEDALS HANDBOOK, VOLUME I AND II, BY ARTAN LAME. The book is in English and Albanian. The edition Albanian Medals in two volumes, includes all Decorations, Orders, Medals and Titles given by Albanian State from 1914 when it was issued the first Albanian Medal, until 2002 when the last one was issued. First Volume 1914-1944 (175 pages, 40 Euro), is divided in three parts: I Period 1912-1925, the Monarchy of Prince Wied. II Period 1925-1939, the Republic and Monarchy of Ahmed Zog. III Period 1939-1944, the Monarchy of Vittorio Emanuele III. Second Volume 1945-2002 (267 pages, 50 Euro), is divided in two parts. IV Period 1945-1990, the Communist Republic. V Period 1991-2002, the Parliamentary Republic.

Mr. Emanuel, Until today, I never call “a liar”, someone who is not present. Just read a few books on the history of WW1 and one can immediately understand why was unfortunate (figuratively “poor”) my country. For example, Albania holds "the record" for the number of armies that have passed or who have fought on its territory during WW1: Italian, A-H, French, British, Serbian, Bulgarian, Greek, German, Montenegro. Even a regiment of Senegalese and another Indochina as part of the French army (!!!). All this in a country that was more little of Belgium. But as always, more you are little, more your tragedy seems insignificant. Everyone feels the suffering of a tiger wounded, but nobody feels those of a butterfly with wings strap. Dear Bob, Therefore, I do not expect forgiveness, but I expect the courtesy that the post with the word "lies" be cancelled from the Forum. Regards, Artan

Bob, I think the story of Otto Witte is an invention of foreign journals with the complicity of Witte fantasy. To the Albanian journals of Durres of that time, does not exist any word for his arrival in Durres and, if he was arrived to Durres, this would have been impossible !!! Please Bob, the story of my poor Albania is so full of tragedy, that there is no space for him. Regards, Artan

Hi Bob, I think this is a modern production (possibly post WW2). The red enamel eagles of the trophy ate taken from the grand star of Scanderbeg Order Italian period (1940). The four eagles between the cross arms are taken from the grand star of the Besa Order Italian period (1940). Albania do not use decorations of cross shaped, because is a many-religious country. Regards, Artan

Hi to all, Help me, what the hell is this badge. I find it in South Albania, but independently of its colors (red and black), I think it isn’t for Albanian use. It has a D.31 mm. From his quality, I deduct it is not Albanian production also. Thanks, Artan

p.s. Tito and Hrusciov were not heroes but not stupid. They did not sent back to our Hoxha the Albanian decorations received from him during the love days.

Bob, Comrade Hoxha was an hero and a stupid man in the same time. After the crash with Yugoslavian, he send back to Tito all Yugoslavian decorations in signum of protest. He did the same after the crash with comrade Hrusciov, with the soviet medals. regards, Artan

Hi to all, Yes, Comrade Enver was twice “Hero of the People” (one for his leadership during the WW2 and the second for his struggle to defend the Socialism) and one “Hero of the Socialist Labor” (for his role to construct the Socialism). Regards, Artan

Dear Eric, Is impossible for Paul Telge to be the author of the Medal of the Black Eagle. Telge dead in 1909, instead the Black Eagle was produced in 1914. Besides this, I thing that this medal is not struck in “Bertrand et Cie Paris”, because the box of this medal has the stamp of “Willibald Kluge Berlin”. Regards, Artan

Hi to all, I I bought this badge today a Tirana. It is a arm badge of Albanian Fascist Militia (1939-1943). Attach a photo of an Albanian Milite with this badge.Regards, Artan

Dear Andyg, My compliments. Very beautiful pieces. Can you tell me, if this kind of epaulettes have been used even during first period Tito? Or, at least, in the same time with the Albanian using of them (1947-1952).

Attach an Albanian Mod.47 epaulette of a police lieutenant. Those epaulettes were Yugoslavian furnished. Besides this color, this kind of epaulettes, exist also with black and green color. They were used untill 1952. Artan

Dear sirs, Your interpretation is very interesting to me, because for our official history (based in this picture), Zog has the rank of colonel in A-H Army. I think to write an article for this argument. Here attached, is another example of militia officer during A-H occupation of Albania (1916-1918). He is Leon de Gilardy an ex mobilized in A-H Army. When the A-H Army entry in Albania he passed (with the “ok” of the Austrians)on the service of Zog with the rank of captain. After the war he remain in Albania and continued his career until the rank of general (1934). Is this another case of fantasy uniform, or an Austrian standard for the local militias under their service? Regards, Artan

Dear Enzo. This picture dated 1916, is taken from an Albanian publication dated 1928. The person is the future King Zog. In that time (1916), he was a war lord in north Albania. During the Austrian occupation of Albania (1916-1918), with the excuse of the funeral of Kaiser F-J I, Zog (age 21) was stopped in Vienna from the Austrian authorities in a “golden prison” for two years. There he has the honor rank of colonel, or something similar. He return in Albania, only after the fall of the A-H Empire. All this history is a 1928-es official version, but you must understand, that in Albania the official story, only rarely is friend of the truth. Now, how is possible Zog in a Romanian uniform!!! Perhaps an auto-created Austrian uniform? Perhaps an ex Prince Wied period uniform? Regards, Artan

Hi to all, Can anyone help me to identify the uniform of this officer. The photo is about 1916-1918. Thanks in advance.

Dear Hoard You said: “What are the sources for the "Grand Collar of Albania" independent of Kleitmann?”. The Law dated 14.05.1930, said: “Article 24 The Collar of Albania and the “Medal to my friends” is not accorded after this date”. The Regulation dated 26.11.1930, said: “Article 21 Order of precedence of the Albanian decorations is the follows: 1. Collar of Honor of Kingdom Of Albania. 2. Order of Courage, I. 3. Order of Courage, II. 4. Order of Courage, III. 5. Order of Fidelity, (grand cordon). 6. Order of Skanderbeg, (grand cordon). 7. Etc, etc”. The Law dated 02.03.1939, said: “Article 1 The article 24 of the Law dated 14.05.1930, is abrogated for the Collar of Albania”. This is to say, that with this last law, the Collar of Albania was restored (only one month before of the occupation of Albania from Italy!!!). Those are some official acts of the Collar of Albania. From an Albanian Magazine dated 1938: “His Majesty the King, has these decorations: Collier of Albania, Order of Courage, Grand Cordon of Order of Fidelity, Grand Cordon of Order of Skanderbeg, Etc, etc”. Regards, Artan

Thanks to all, especially to Hauptman for the help. Regards, Artan

Dear Explorer, Unfortunately, till now, I have not find any original piece of the Mod.1944 uniform of the Albanian Partisan Army. The oldest uniforms of the communist period I have, are the uniforms of the Mod.1945. Do you know, the material of the jackets and trousers of your ranks, is Yugoslavian or British production? From the color of your photos, I think that is British furniture. I send you another photo of Albanian lt/col. in Mod.44 uniform. You can see that the piece of material, under the rank bands, is in color (perhaps red?). Exist this type of colors ranks on the yugoslavian system? Regards, Artan