KRYENGRITJA POPULLORE E MATIT (Korrik – Gusht 1943)
The Popular Uprising Of Mati (July-August 1943)

Summary/Abstract: The uprising which took place in Mati in the first days of July 1943 represents an important event for the war in the region, and throughout the country. The importance of the uprising of 31 July, as it is known in history, is determined not only by the participation and broad popular support, reached, after an historical consensus, among the patriotic forces which were active in this region, but also by the consequences which it had for the war in Mati and throughout the country. The fascist aggression of April 7, 1939 was a proof for the social strata, for the groupings and the old and new organizations which existed in Mati. With the work done by the activists of the National-Liberation Movement and with the broad support they found in the people very soon the situation in Mati began to change. In this framework were created the needed organizations of the war and revolutionary work, as were the illegal bases, guerilla unities, the national-liberation councils coming up to the partisan detachment of Mati, on July 18, 1942, which would be among the first detachments created in the country. The foundation of the partisan detachment marked a turning point in the development of the Movement in Mati. In this process were included even a number of nationalist patriots as Dylejman Çela in Patin, Ali Dalipi in Xiber, Elmas Daliu in Mallunxe, Sul Hakiku, Allaman Selmani and Haxhi Zhgjuni in Lis, Hasan Minxhozi and Staf Brahimi in Shelli, etc. The participating members in the Assembly agreed that on July 31, 1943 to attack the enemy’s garrisons in Burrel, Komsi and Qafë e Buallit. The Assembly approved the plan of uprising and chose the staff which would lead the forces formed by Sali Llani, Sul Kurti, Beqir Minxhozi and Ndrec Lufi. The uprising broke out, as it was foreseen, on July 31, 1943. More than 2 000 matjans (inhabitants of Mati) coming from all the villages of the district rushed in a general attack against the military forces of the occupier, striking its garrisons. The attacks of the insurgents were repeated some times in Burrel and Qafë-Buall, but not reaching the fixed on goals, the surrender and full annihilation of the enemy because its forces defended themselves well taking fortification measures. At the same time these forces were helped, since the first days, by a number of aeroplanes and tanks which bombarded uninterruptedly the insurgent forces. The Italian fascist occupier though reached, at last, to get hold of the city of Burrel, couldn’t establish the administrative power. In the meantime the uprising in Mati connected even with the uprisings in the neighbouring zones, Tirana and Dibra, continued uninterruptedly until the capitulation of Italy.

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