Petrit Latifi
In 1913, the “Maiser Wochenblatt” published a gruesome report with details of the Serbian armys atrocities and sadism against the Albanians of Prizren and the families hiding in the Austrian consulate in the city. These details came from the Albanian Isa Hani Ali (Issa Hanum Ali) who witnessed the Serbian war crimes. The Serbian army used machien guns to kill unarmed Albanians in the city. The Serbs then entered the consulate and tortured the Albanian civilians to death while laughing. The Serbs also mutilated the corpses.
Cited:
“This Issa Hanum Ali described the following to me very vividely:
Already the day before, on November 3, we knew that we would see the Serbian Komitaschis enter the walls of our city. Most of the Muslim Albanians fled in the direction of the wildly rugged Schar Dagh. The Christian inhabitants, however, believed they had nothing to fear from the Serbs.
On the contrary, precautions were taken to receive and entertain the incoming victors with the greatest possible dignity. Mr. Brochaska, however, did not seem to share this favorable opinion. He made preparations for all eventualities. The Austrian flag was raised, and two large, brightly lit posters were affixed to the garden wall. They bore the words “K. K.” in large Serbian letters. Austrian Consulate.”
Immediately, the white flag with the red cross was planted on the roof of the residential building. Mr. Prochaska exhorted us all to accept the inevitable and treat the victorious enemy with respect. The Turkish troops and the administrative officials had withdrawn south on the evening of November 3rd; by Mr. Prochaska’s orders, all male residents had laid down their weapons.
In the consulate, besides the consul, there were his secretary, two Caucasians, an Italian merchant, a German citizen, and two Austrian travelers. In addition, there were 22 wounded and 18 families from the city who were providing nursing services, as well as a large number of children.
In the evening, Mr. Prochaska sent me out to reconnoiter. I went to the edge of the city, where there is a wide view to the northeast. Far away, I saw the Serbs watch fires burning.
As I advanced in the darkness along the path that leads to the river and further to Gjakova, I was suddenly stopped. Rifle barrels flashed at me, and I owe my life only to my precise knowledge of the situation. Shots rang out behind me, but I was able to safely return to the town, where I reported to Mr. Prochaska at the consulate. I can assure you, no one slept that night.
Everyone waited all night for the notorious and feared enemy. But the Serbs let the night pass quietly. Apparently, they feared being defeated in the darkness of the night in the narrow alleyways. Thus dawned the memorable Monday, November 4th. We heard the rattling of drums, the blaring of horns, and at around 10:45 a.m. the first Serbian troops appeared.
The invasion took place in perfect order. We watched from the wall of the Consulate Garden. The Serbs were all tall, strong men, all excellently armed and well-clothed. Their horses were also good. Cavalry, infantry, field artillery, and detachments with machine guns moved in.
The Serbian troops fire at defenseless Albanians in the city
“The machine guns were positioned at the ends of the streets, and it wasn’t long before we heard the firing of the infantry and the peculiar rattling of the machine guns in the Consulate. Mr. Prochaska shouted indignantly: This is treason! This is treason! They’re shooting at the harmless inhabitants!” And he wanted to leave the consulate, wanted to get out and confront the Serbian commander.
Only our combined efforts succeeded in dissuading him from this plan, which would have been certain death. I had positioned myself in the garden, and Mr. Brochaska ordered me to open the garden gate and let the fleeing inhabitants into the consulate. I did, and quickly the house and garden filled with refugees. Weeping and wailing, people told hair-raising stories about the mad Serbs. Mr. Prochaska still hoped that the enemy would leave the neutral building of the consulate untouched. But unfortunately, that was not the case.”
The Serbian troops reach the consulate
“Suddenly, a detachment of soldiers, led by a mounted officer, appeared in front of the consulate. The officer demanded to speak to the consul. Mr. Prochaska came to him at the gate, whereupon the Serb demanded that the consulate be opened, once for to keep numerous wounded Serbian soldiers in the hospital, but also to search for traitors. Mr. Prochaska replied politely but firmly that the hospital was full of seriously wounded people, to which the officer retorted: “Yes, yes, nothing but Albanian rabble! But we’ll throw them out into the street!”
Mr. Brochaska replied: “Sir, I would like to remind you that this property is neutral ground, that all the occupants of this house enjoy the mighty support of the monarchy I represent, that above these walls fly both the flag of Austria Hungary and the symbol of the International Red Cross.” The Serb retorted vehemently: “What’s the point of these useless words? I command you, open it!” Mr. Brochaska then made no reply but returned to his office.
The Serbian officer, however, ordered his soldiers to enter the consulate by force. Amid roaring cries of “Zivio” and insults against Defterreich, the flag was first torn down and trampled in the mud. The same happened to the large posters. The doors were torn open, the low wall was climbed, and now the dehumanized Serbs entered the building.
The Serbians massacre the Albanian women and children
“The Albanian families who had fled here were murdered without mercy, often with the most horrific torture and amidst the wild laughter of the brutal executioners. The wounded suffered the same fate, frozen to death in their beds. The women and children were also slaughtered after the bestial soldiers had satisfied their bestial desires on the unfortunate victims. There were monsters among the Serbs who even desecrated the murdered bodies.
The consul solemnly protested against these acts of violence, but the Serbs laughed at him. The archives were looted, all documents burned, all money and valuables were stolen, and the entire consulate was demolished from top to bottom. The consul, the secretary, and I were taken to the Serbian camp, where we were held captive. I cannot say what became of the remaining loot.”
Reference
Balkan Academia 