Italian Forces

The Italian invasion of Albania

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Grottaglie Airport, near Taranto, April 8, 1939. The 1st Grenadiers of Sardinia Regiment boarding on S.79s of the 204th Squadriglia, 41st Gruppo, 12th Stormo for the invasion of Albania. The Italians military operations against the Albanian Kingdom were extremely brief: from April 7 to April 12, 1939. The Italian invasion force, led by General Alfredo Guzzoni, was of 100,000 men supported by 600 airplanes and 137 ships. Albania was rapidly overrun and the King Zog I was forced into exile. Now an Italian protectorate, the Albania became a separate kingdom in personal union with the Italian crown. The King of Italy Victor Emmanuel III was crowned King of Albania in addition to his title of Emperor of Ethiopia. Victor Sierra