By Hysen Selmani
Part twenty four
Memorie.al/ European and American press have often addressed the subject of the memories of the Albanian King, Zogu i-r, which he wrote and dictated during his exile from Albania. Considering the notes and syntheses that his assistant, Colonel Hysen Selmani, compiled over the years in his service, – always, next to the King of the Albanians, both at home and in exile, these notes, more or less with parts of disconnected, without strictly following the usual criteria of memoirs, and without having the definite, final form of an edition, they are prepared by Hysen Selmani himself, who has dedicated most of his life, as in Albania, as well as during the exile, serving the First ZOG, the King of the Albanians.
Continues from last issue
Istanbul, January 1, 1941
His Majesty, King Zog I, sends an urgent telegram to Colonel Hussein Salman, in response to the report, advising him thus at this time:
“I have received the report, together with the copy of the note. I am very sorry about the unfriendly actions. But you need to quickly send the messengers in, stop. Don’t be shocked at all about the events that have happened, because these will be arranged, stop. They are ready, as soon as they receive the instructions, to immediately go into action, stop. No action against the Greek army should not be done, because such an action will hinder all the agreements that I am developing with the British Government and with the Greek one, stop. Note, don’t give it until you get instructions from here, and stop. All forces, inside and outside the Motherland, stay ready and our morale is high, wait for the order, stop. Today for today, stay completely calm and no action should be taken, neither against the Greeks nor against the invader. They are waiting for the time, which is approaching, stop”.
“Ric – Hotel” London, – January 1, 1941, 1ST Zog
Colonel Husein Selmani immediately sent you a copy of King Zog’s telegram, as well as other instructions, to all groups in Yugoslavia. The goal was to immediately send the messengers with these instructions inside Albania.
“Where to get in touch with our entire element, – the adjutant says about this day – handing them these instructions, as well as getting the answers they will give you. In particular, other new news, such as on the Italian-Greek front, also on our prepared centers and the communications of the country, has come. Also, it acts as enemy propaganda, as well as the Greek one, inside the people. Of course, these were sent by the Turkish service, to the Turkish Embassy in Belgrade. In this way, we also advised those from Yugoslavia not to have any doubts about what is being said: the Greeks will annex Korça and Gjirokastra. Because, rather, these are enemy propaganda to become enemies with the Greeks. Yes, we with the Greeks, will to reach an honest agreement, with equal rights, that here is Great Britain fighting, both for the Greeks and for the Albanians, and Albania will be freed from fascism.
Now, the forces in Yugoslavia have reached 542 officers and 1765 officers and soldiers. Also, there are 454 civilians. The number of people leaving Albania is increasing day by day, although we have ordered them not to leave the country, because they are needed there at the right time. But, all the Centers in Yugoslavia are morally very good, and they are very active in their actions, so nothing shakes them. In the terrible suffering that they suffered, for not one minute, the programmatic service that they were responsible for was not left behind, but they carried it out with arrogance”, recalls the adjutant.
The rear of Italy, where the Albanian soldiers are, in the territory of Albania, desertions have begun. But King Zog tries to discipline this movement. “We will not take any action against the Greek army, nor to help it, as we helped it,” he tells the Albanians. Meanwhile, Yugoslavia signed the Tripartite Pact on February 2, 1941. This showed that it definitely entered the Nazi-fascism category.
Adjutant Hysein Selmani informs the Turkish office in Istanbul to mediate as soon as possible near Ankara, so that the Turkish Embassy in Belgrade can help the Albanians. “In the event that the Yugoslavs take measures, against the officers of our personnel located in Yugoslavia, the Embassy intervenes and we draw them here to Turkey.” But, as expected, a coup d’état occurs in Yugoslavia.
The Yugoslav power is taken by General Simovic, who forms the Yugoslav Government and His Majesty, King Peter II, ascends the Throne. General Nedel Kovic, sworn in before the Parliament, was appointed Yugoslav Minister of War, the Government rather with generals. Meanwhile, Prince Paul, Stojadinovic, Markovic and his entire Government were arrested in Yugoslavia. This is for a short time, because the country is occupied by Germany, which teaches Yugoslavia and Greece at the same time.
Yugoslavia does not offer any resistance, and only in Kaçanik, there are two hours of irregular fighting. “Yugoslavia, within 24 hours, completely surrendered, because it was also attacked by the Italians, in the area of Fiume”, recalls the adjutant. On the other hand, Greece, with a division near Edirne, surrendered to the Turks without opposition. Likewise, the Army in Thessaloniki laid down its arms without a fight. However, the Greeks surrendered without a fight against Germany and the latter occupied Athens within 3 days.
Istanbul, May 5, 1941
We received a report on Pellumb Lleshin, from Dibra e Madhe. He informed us that: “We are all well and alive. Don’t worry at all that all our comrades have crossed the border and entered Albania. They have joined the others. Later, we will write to you above all. And don’t worry at all we are in touch with everyone.”
Dibër, May 3, 1941, Pëlumb Lleshi
This letter, continues Selmani – made us happy and immediately, His Majesty, King Zog, was presented with a cipher telegram in London. In this telegram, it is said that all our personnel, who were in Yugoslavia, entered Albania safely. They have joined others and now we got in touch. We expect a comprehensive report from them, which we will submit to them immediately. In this way, I also informed the Turkish General Staff in Istanbul. Colonel Emin Akyni, was very happy that they passed and are well and, moreover, that they were always in service and with high morale. “Just now, the adjutant remembers that moment – we are connecting them with the person who guards the Turkish Legation in Tirana. Who has the right to stamp letters, as if they are diplomatic? For this job, Gafur Dibra, who was a Turkish citizen, was charged” .
Colonel Emin Akyni, with pleasure, accepted that Gafurri would take over this difficult service and told Colonel Selman: “Tomorrow, a person will leave to send you some instructions to the personnel in Tirana, who keep the archives of the Legation As well as the monthly expenses. You will give the letters both to Gafurri and to the others. He will deliver them to Gafurri”. That’s how I thanked him, the adjutant remembers – and I went and prepared 10 letters, for all those who were in Yugoslavia, and others. With the help of Captain Avni Derralla, I delivered this to the person that Avni brought to my house. I also ordered it there for many other things, for Cancer. After that, he left for Tirana by plane.
Istanbul, May 25, 1941
“On this date, at 9:30 in the morning, Colonel Emin Akyni calls me at home, says the adjutant. He tells me: I have good news for you. Yes, are you coming here? Shall I come there? I answered him that: Now we are coming. And together with the minister, Asaf Xhaxhul and Avni Derralla, we went. There, he was waiting for us and as soon as we entered the office, he gave us the letters from Gafurr Dibra”.
In these letters, he informed me:
“All the comrades have arrived safe and sound. They are united with the others, but I have not yet met with all of them, only with Jusuf Begu, Major Murat Basha, Haxhi Lleshi and Professor Mustafa Gjinish, on the list. Within the week, I will get in touch with everyone, because as you told me, for this purpose I bought a forest in Mat. With Rahman Hysa, I am with them every day. This is because he is in touch with everyone. Don’t worry, because now, they are much better than in Yugoslavia, like with work and all. They are just waiting for instructions. I have found you two military radios, to receive foreign news”.
Tirana, May 21, 1941, High honors, Gafuri
Immediately, Colonel Husein Selmani photocopied this letter and presented it to King Zog in London with an extensive report. We also handed over a copy translated into Turkish to Colonel Emin Akyn. “He was very pleased, the adjutant remembers – and he told us with a laugh, that: You and our people have not put them at your service. Then, he told me, that: “That person, Gafurr Dibra, was very capable and completely yours. He even said that he would give his soul for Husein Selman.
“Yes,” I told him, the adjutant remembers, “it is true that they have always been mine. There are two brothers here in Sekerci and they are very rich.”
Istanbul May 28, 1941
Germany today attacked Crete, dropping paratroopers with very powerful aviation and has discharged a large force of paratroopers. They have occupied a large part of Crete and the British Navy, Navy and Air Force have not had the opportunity to prevent the parachute discharges. The fighting is done in many places, by the Greek and English army. But the Germans advance rapidly. It is said that, within two days, the entire island of Crete will be occupied by the Germans.
On June 3, 1941, the island of Crete was completely occupied by the German army. It is said that, with great difficulty, His Majesty, King George II of Greece was able to escape without being captured by the Germans. The reason was that the Germans had fired everywhere. For this reason, King George II-tw with the entire Greek Government went to Alexandria in Egypt.
The fall of Crete has caused a great uproar. The reason was that Crete was not believed to be occupied. This was the most important base of the British Fleet in the Mediterranean, says the royal memoirs. And, moreover, with those desert mountains, it was never thought that it would be occupied. This invasion is said to release the Egyptian coasts, as well as making navigation difficult for Africa and Asia. Even the Balkans, for today, is over, writes the King in his memoirs. Let’s see the future. It is true that the Anglo-Saxons have won the war one hundred percent, but this may last 2-3 years and Germany, as in the first war, will lay down its arms. And the victory is democracy.
Now, both King Peter II of Yugoslavia, with his Yugoslav Government, and King George II of Greece, with the Greek Government, is in Alexandria, Egypt. It is said that both kings have the opportunity to go to London. This is because the armies, both Yugoslav and Greek, surrendered to the Germans.
All hope depends on the United States of America. This has not yet entered the war, but is expected day by day and is being prepared on a large scale. Of course, at that time, Russia also has to break the non-aggression pact with Germany and it will be at war against the Germans. And, this loss, of this war, will be much more serious, which will be suffered by the brave German people, than that of 1918.
In London and many countries of Great Britain, there are heavy and damaging bombings. But the English people, cold-blooded, do not budge at all. He is sure of the final victory and is preparing in a big way. That the Anglo-Saxon reserves are so big that every year they keep getting bigger and bigger, not getting smaller, like the German one.
Istanbul June 16, 1941
On this date, Colonel Husein Selmani receives a letter from Gafur Dibra where the latter informs him: “I was in Viqe, where I met Jusuf Begu, Haxhi Lleshi, Professor Mustafa Gjinish, Major Murat Basha, Sul Kurti, Captain Hamza Drini, Ibrahim Farka and many other officers. I spent two days with them in Viqe. They told me and informed you:
“We have all come well. Only Colonel Kuçuk Ullogaj did not want to come. He seems to have joined the Germans. We are talking about a wider organization, of course in relation to today’s times, to be ready, for to communicate with the British. When you give us instructions, we will act because without orders we do nothing.
Major Oakley Hill, an Englishman, had also come with us. But, this went with Qazim Kokoshi and Gani Kryezina and Abas Kupi, from Shala. It is said that they took 8000 napoleons of gold, but it is not known. He now stays with Gani Kryezina and we are not in contact with them. Abaz Kupi has come to Kruja, but we are still not in touch with them.
Professor Mustafa Gjinish and Ibrahim Farka will be sent to meet with Myslim Peza, in Peza, Tirana. After talking with the Muslim, they will start a wider organization. Then, all together, they will present you with a report with all the details.
Everyone is united as they were in Yugoslavia and most of them are here in Mat. Because this is the safest place, for any meeting and meals. Again, they repeated to me that nothing matters to us, because like Greece and Yugoslavia, they are occupied, and for our actions, nothing prevents us. We will organize ourselves in the best way, where Greece and Yugoslavia have now become our friends, and when our beloved King sees the right time, we are ready better than ever.
Long live the King; we are as proud as the mountains of Albania.
We always remain in the bright instructions, as the mail was arranged by our great Turkish friends. This also with the help of Gafurr Dibra, who is the most reliable person and has the rights of the Turkish diplomatic suitcase. We all sincerely wish you good health and hug you with great respect: Jusuf Selmani, Haxhi Lleshi, Mustafa Gjinishi, Sul Kurti, Major Murat Basha, Hamza Drini, Ibrahim Farka, Rahman Hysa, Abdullah Ymeri and others.
Please accept my deepest respects as well. We miss you beyond words and may God fulfill all your wishes. We are always at your disposal and you have the big and small people with you. They ask me everywhere”.
Tirana, June 12, 1941
Yours truly, Gafuri
“Also, translated into Turkish and the Turkish General Staff, in Beyoglu and precisely Colonel Emin Akyn, for the services of Gafurri. Later I introduced Gafurri’s brother, Abdyl Vehapin to Sekerci. He had all the warehouses of all the wholesalers and I ordered that when he brought me the monthly food, he should also send it to Colonel Emin Akynin, out of respect”.
Istanbul, July 26, 1941
Germany, today, taught Russia with great fury. It is said to have advanced in many places, within the Russian-Ukrainian border. But, however, now the state of the war was completely changed. Even Winston Churchill, now, smokes his cigarette with pleasure and sees the victory one hundred percent. Even, it is not “done later”, for the German bombings in London, which have killed women, children and old people, in the streets of London.
The German army advances at a very high speed against Russia and it is said that the Russian Third Army, in Bas-Arabia, Mareshall Boudini, with all the weapons, has surrendered to the Germans. It is surrounded by German vehicles and it is said that the Romanian army also participated in the German aid.
Istanbul July 28, 1941
His Majesty, King Zog, sends you a telegram from London to Colonel Husein Selman and Minister Asaf Xhaxhuli, at the Albanian Legation in Istanbul. This is the telegram:
“I have received your reports, stop. You must be united with your friends, just as you write to me, stop. I have written to them too, stop. Time calls for work, not quarrels, stop. I expect cooperation as soon as possible, as with write, stop. I hope to send you the instructions soon, stop. The closer the connections stop. I’m going to send you the instructions for those in Albania, stop. I’m waiting for a joint report and, as tell me, stop. I’m sorry.”
Istanbul August 15, 1941
On this date, I received a report from Albania, where they inform us like this:
“We held a meeting in Mat, where everyone took part in the meeting: Sul Kurti, Abas Kupi, Jusuf Selmani, Professor Mustafa Gjinishi, Major Murat Basha, Major Jahja Çaçi, Dyleman Çela, Dyle Beg Allamani, Jusuf Beg Çela, Hafus Hasa, Hamza Drini, Rahman Hysa, Ibrahim Farka, Kros Ali Xheka, Bilal Kola, Halil Keta, Selman Mema, and many other delegates from all countries.
In this meeting, they discussed the meeting that was being held in Peza, Tirana, in the center of Muslim Peza. This meeting was named “National-Liberator” and with this name, Professor Mustafa Gjinishi baptized it.
Now, they informed us that even the South part, with Mit’hat Frashëri at the head, has declared a party, and named “Balli Kombëtar”. Thus, even from us, it was considered reasonable to send a representative of ours to this meeting, where they have to discuss all the problems of a national union against the fascist occupier, as well as the liaison between the actions.
As our delegate, to participate in this meeting in Peza, we have appointed: Sul Kurti, Abas Kupin, Jusuf Selmani, Dyle Çele, Major Murat Bashen, Hafus Hasen, and Major Jahja Çaçin. From the monarchist side and from the “National Front”, they are: Mit’hat Frashëri, with his 5 friends. From the communists, there are: Omer Nishani, Liri Gega, Enver Hoxha, Mendar Shtylla, Hysni Kapua and Frederik Nosi. From National Liberation: Myslim Peza, Mustafa Gjinishi, Spiro Moisiu, Baba Faja and Shefqet Beja.
As we have been informed, in the talks that will take place at this meeting, we will not agree on a common national party, then we will be in contact with many people who are not in the mountains, with of Gaqo Goga. While in Tirana, there are Sali Vuçiterna, Rauf Fico, Teki Selenica and Omer Beshiri, while in Shkodër, there are Xhemal Naipi, Tef Curani, Salih Mytija and others. And in the South, there are: Javer Rushiti, Bilal Nivica, Sadik Shaska, Selim Damani, Neshat Kolonja, Teki Xhindi, and others. Also, with the side of Qemal Shtino, we are connected with these in the South.
We are in daily talks with all of them. To be studied in our general interest: is it more necessary for us to have a party name, or not?! These talks continue, but the conclusion of Peza is expected. Then, it will be decided by this responsible Council. And, of course, apart from the officers, who are generally Monarchists of King Zog I, but also the general public, almost 70 percent, are Royalists, for Zog I. United with us.
Of the Italians, no great pursuit is made. Especially in the highlands, Italy’s opponents roam freely without any obstacles. And, to live, we are quite well. We are dealing with the broad organization, because we have the most valuable element and the majority. The most organized today is the National Liberation party, which was organized by Professor Mustafa Gjinishi, and now Haxhi Lleshi, Mustafa Kaçaçi and Faik Shehu have joined the National Liberation party. But, like Mustafa Gjinishi and Haxhi Lleshi, they stick more to Jusuf Selmani.
After returning from the Peza meeting, the comrades will present you with a report, with all the details, of how the conversation was held and when it ended. As well as the claims of Mit’hat Frashëri, as well as those of Omer Nishan, which are two different trends with us. As for Myslim Peza, Mustafa Gjinishi and Haxhi Lleshi, they are also in that party, but they are in harmony with us, not separated. For today, we pause, awaiting your instructions.
We hug you with great respect: Long lives the King.
Sul Kurti, Murat Basha, Mustafa Gjinishi, Haxhi Lleshi, Jusuf Selmani, Sali Llani, Dyle Allamani, Dyle Cela, Jusuf Cela, Hamza Drini, Ibrahim Farka, Qemal Shtina, Rahman Hysa, Bilal Kola, Halil Keta and others.
Please accept as always my best regards, always Your Lordship’s. Memorie.al
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