Батаљони организованих Арнаута 1919–1920
Battalions of Organized Albanians 1919–1920

Summary/Abstract: After liberation, the Yugoslav state had a big problem on the border front with Albania, because of frequent attacks of Albanians, who were supported by Italy. In order to defend the border, in 1919 the state established Battalions of Organized Albanians. These Battalions were under the command of Esad Pasha Toptani. Problems at the border occurred at the time of the Paris Peace Conference, when Albanians fought a diplomatic battle to fulfill their territorial demands. In the field, struggles were waged at all points on the left bank of the Drim River. Although the members of the Battalions of Organized Albanians fought together with the Yugoslav army, they did not meet the expectations of the Yugoslav authorities. Anarchy, indiscipline, breaking of promises, black market, robbery, frequent defections to the side of Italy – were everyday behavior of fighters involved in the Battalions of Organized Albanians. The state granted credit to pay the members of the Battalions, but the payments were often delayed, so this was also one of the reasons for the lack of discipline. The fact that the activities of the Battalions compromised the Yugoslav state, demanded their disbanding, but the authorities feared that this would provoke even more anarchy, so it frantically tried to keep them under control.

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