Albania Albanian military uniforms

[stephenmiller]

I am interested in photos of Albanian military uniforms especially those in the 1950s and 60s before they did away with Russian-style insignia and began using the Maoist Chinese style no-rank system and uniform style.

Any good photos, especially those of the Albanian Air Force and Navy and also photos of hats?

[Eric Schena]

Welcome aboard!

I was given a book by an Albanian friend of mine called "Albanian Military in Pictures" and it has a few pics of Albanian uniforms in it. From what I have seen from that period, it was a bit of a mishmash. Most of the photos I have seen I have posted here or have included in my book, but I don't think there ever was a comprehensive study done on them. Are you looking to see rank insignia or just photos of them in wear?

Cheers,

Eric

[stephenmiller]

You are more than welcome to post scans of the photos of the Albanian uniforms and insignia in wear if you can. Any others by other people who post on this website, especially from Albania, are even welcome too!

Thanks!

[Elmar Lang]

Hello,

I remember that during the Cold War, the Italian Military Intelligence Service, printed a fine book, fully illustrated with colour plates, depicting the uniforms of the Warsaw Pact and other Socialist/Communist Armed Forces. As soon as I'll visit my parents, since the book belongs to my dad (a retired Army Officer), I'll see if Albania would have also been illustrated, hopefully with the old-fashioned uniforms.

Best wishes,

Enzo

[stephenmiller]

Sounds great! See if Albania is in that book for us.

I wonder if there are other sources out there showing Albanian badges and uniforms from the Fifties up to the Eighties?

[Bob]

Sounds great! See if Albania is in that book for us.

I wonder if there are other sources out there showing Albanian badges and uniforms from the Fifties up to the Eighties?

On ebay you'll frequently find good heavy photo books incl. military pics with uniforms. Search for seller elviscenko and just check periodically.

[Eric Schena]

Oh, I forgot to mention that if you are looking for rank insignia from that period, head over to http://www.uniforminsignia.net (specifically, http://www.uniforminsignia.net/index.php?p=state&id=80). That may help you out.

[albania]

there are two main periods of albanian communist uniforms. the first is related to the Albanian-Soviet time with ranks and a heavy soviet look. and the second period belongs to the Albanian - Chinese time with no ranks (removed). I posses a good number of uniforms from the second period. there are also many books with large pictures like For People with People and Our Peoples Army. also in any Albanian picture book published during communism there were pages dedicated to the albanian army. I will post some pictures of some uniforms.

[Elmar Lang]

Hello,

I regret to inform that my father's book from the Intelligence Service doesn't illustrate the uniforms and insignia of Albania. It includes those of all other Socialist powers of the Warsaw Pact and Yugoslavia.

Best wishes,

Enzo

[Bob]

Interesting pic from the main museum in Tirana. A wall of pics had has subtitle "ex important functionaries of the Albanian Communist Party and Albanian State sentenced and killed by Enver Hoxha regime"

[stephenmiller]

there are two main periods of albanian communist uniforms. the first is related to the Albanian-Soviet time with ranks and a heavy soviet look. and the second period belongs to the Albanian - Chinese time with no ranks (removed). I posses a good number of uniforms from the second period. there are also many books with large pictures like For People with People and Our Peoples Army. also in any Albanian picture book published during communism there were pages dedicated to the albanian army. I will post some pictures of some uniforms.

You are welcome to post these photos too. Thanks!

[Lapa]

Interesting pic from the main museum in Tirana. A wall of pics had has subtitle "ex important functionaries of the Albanian Communist Party and Albanian State sentenced and killed by Enver Hoxha regime"

Bob,

That is an almost carbon copy of the Soviet M45 "Parad Pobedy" uniform.

Marc

[Eric Schena]

Here's a photo of Enver Hoxha in his partisan's uniform, c. 1944 or so. It was based off of Yugoslav uniforms...

[Eric Schena]

Here's a group of military leaders, c. 1970 or so, after the abolition of ranks...

Edited October 8, 2008 by Eric Schena

[Eric Schena]

Here's an unpublished photo from my personal collection. This was taken in Odessa in 1947. I have a medal group to the lieutenant on the left...

[Eric Schena]

And one last one from my personal collection. These are Albanian officers in Odessa, taken in 1949.

[Zaim Qyteza]

Interesting pic from the main museum in Tirana. A wall of pics had has subtitle "ex important functionaries of the Albanian Communist Party and Albanian State sentenced and killed by Enver Hoxha regime"

Dear sir,

This uniform is realy a "Victory Parade" Uniform. In 1947, for the albanian generals arrived from USSR a number of this uniform.

Here enclosed, a photo of an albanian general in this uniform. This uniform where used from 1947 till 1955.

[Bob]

Dear sir,

This uniform is realy a "Victory Parade" Uniform. In 1947, for the albanian generals arrived from USSR a number of this uniform.

Here enclosed, a photo of an albanian general in this uniform. This uniform where used from 1947 till 1955.

Excellent... and "nice" award he has on right hand side of the pic :jumping:

[albania]

Excellent... and "nice" award he has on right hand side of the pic

Mr Lame welcome to this forum

LtjG Elvis Cenka

Albanian Navy

[Ulsterman]

I found these amongst a series of Albanian tourist shots @ 1984 (obviously some Albanian immigrant who went back in 1984 to visit Grandma and her husband's grave). I believe they are Albanian @ 1945 or 1946.

[Eric Schena]

Dear sir,

This uniform is realy a "Victory Parade" Uniform. In 1947, for the albanian generals arrived from USSR a number of this uniform.

Here enclosed, a photo of an albanian general in this uniform. This uniform where used from 1947 till 1955.

Welcome Artan! That is a superb photograph! Do you happen to know who he is?

Cheers,

Eric

[Zaim Qyteza]

Welcome Artan! That is a superb photograph! Do you happen to know who he is?

Cheers,

Eric

Dear Eric,

My general is Major-general Tuk Jakova (1914-1959), dead in prison.

The other General (pics from BOB) is major-general Gjin Marku, dead in prison in the '80-es.

The officer (pics from ULSTERMAN), is a leitnant in a M-44 uniform, local production, used in 1944-1945 period.

[Eric Schena]

Wonderful photos and information! Please feel free to share more. Albanian decorations are still very much in the beginnings of serious study, so l for one LOVE seeing new photographs like this.

Cheers,

Eric

[Goga Palkin]

Major general Gjin Marku from https://sq.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gjin_Marku

[Kallarati Heroik]