Petrit Latifi

In June 1915, Montenegrin imperialist forces under Commander Vešović’s invaded Shkodër and terrorized the civilian population. Pro-Austrian residents and local Albanians were arrested, abducted and executed. In the book “Lieber als Kacake als an Hunger sterben Besatzung und Widerstand im k. u. k. Militärgeneralgouvernement in Montenegro (1916-1918)” we can read:

“On May 23, 1915, Italy formally declared war on Austria-Hungary and thereby entered the war on the side of the Entente. Italian ships subsequently blockaded the entire Albanian coast. In June 1915, Montenegrin troops under Vešović’s command crossed the Albanian border and advanced slowly towards the Drin River.

The Montenegrins besieged Shkodra, which surrendered without a fight on June 27. Vešović entered the city triumphantly and established a reign of terror. Pro-Austrian residents were arrested, and others were abducted and executed; Catholics and supporters of the Albanian Prince Wilhelm zu Wied (1876-1945) were particularly hard hit.

During their further advance south, the Montenegrins encountered resistance. A few days after the Montenegrin forces, the Serbian army also crossed the Albanian border, advanced rapidly, and occupied Tirana on June 11. There, the Serbs supported Essad Pasha and crushed an uprising against him.

The United Kingdom and the Russian Empire, both guarantor powers of Albania, protested sharply against the actions of their allies. Saint Petersburg demanded a Serbian offensive against Austria-Hungary instead of action in Albania; London spoke of Nicholas I’s betrayal of the Entente and considered ending cooperation with Montenegro.”

Source

Lieber als Kacake als an Hunger sterben Besatzung und Widerstand im k. u. k. Militärgeneralgouvernement in Montenegro (1916-1918). Heiko Brendel. 2019