In 1916, the well-known Greek magazine “Parnassos” wrote that the Albanians were the best soldiers of the Greek army and navy, and that most of the soldiers spoke Albanian to each other.

From the newspaper:

“. . . They [the Albanians] supply the best soldiers to the Greek army and they are also excellent sailors” (E. B. 12: 430).

An article in the Greek monthly magazine, “Parnassos” (February, 1916: C. C. 206), states that “the majority of our soldiers speak to each other in Albanian . . . a habit, very regrettable . . . It is imperative that this custom be destroyed by all necessary and vigorous means”. Prince Lichnowsky wrote: “the very so-called Greek national dress [fustanella] is of Albanian origin”.

Reference

Title: Albania; the rise of a kingdom
Author: Joseph Swire
Publisher: Williams & Norgate, 1929
Photo: “Greek” army, 1916