Albania under Nazi Germany

Infobox Former Country
native_name = "Mbretnija Shqiptare"
conventional_long_name = Albanian Kingdom
common_name = Albania
continent = Europe
region = Balkans
country = Albania
era = World War II
status = Client state
empire = Germany
status_text = Client state of Nazi Germany
event_start = German takeover
year_start = 1943
date_start = July 25
event_end = German defeat
year_end = 1944
date_end = November 28
p1 = Albania under Italy
flag_p1 = Flag_of_Albania_(1939).svg
s1 = Socialist People's Republic of Albania
flag_s1 = Flag_of_Albania_1944.svg

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image_map_caption =
capital = Tirana
national_anthem = Himni i Flamurit
common_languages = Albanian
currency = Albanian lek
government_type = Monarchy
title_leader = King
leader1 = Zog I¹
footnotes = ¹ "In absentia"

Albania existed as a "de jure" independent country, officially known as the Albanian Kingdom (Gheg Albanian: "Mbretnija Shqiptare", Standard Albanian: "Mbretëria Shqiptare"), between 1943 and 1944 under the occupation of Nazi Germany.

A High Council of Regency was set up to carry the functions of a head of state in the absence of a king, while the government was headed mainly by Albanian conservative politicians. Though militarily controlled by the Germans, the Albanians retained autonomy in internal affairs and on such basis refused to hand over the Jewish residents and refugees. Albania under Nazi Germany existed within the borders set by Italy in 1941. It included some, but not all the Albanian-populated lands, and this was rather a consequence of borders that Italy and Germany agreed on when dividing their spheres of influence.

A communist-led provisional government ruled the country from November 1944 until January 1946 when monarchy was officially abolished and a people's republic was proclaimed.

ee also

* 21st Waffen Mountain Division of the SS Skanderbeg (1st Albanian)
* Ibrahim Bej Biçaku
* Mehdi Bej Frashëri
* Rexhep Bej Mitrovica
* Military history of Albania during World War II
* Albania under Italy