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Northern Epirus Liberation Front
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Northern Epirus Liberation Front
The Northern Epirus Liberation Front (Greek: Μέτωπο Απελευθέρωσης Βορείου Ηπείρου (ΜΑΒΗ), Métopo Apelefthérosis Voreíou Ipeírou (MAVI)), also called the Northern Epirote Liberation Organization (Εθνική Απελευθερωτική Οργάνωση Βορειοηπειρωτών (ΕΑΟΒΗ), Ethnikí Apeleftherotikí Orgánosi Voreioipeirotón (EAOVI)), was an ethnic Greek resistance group that operated in areas of southern Albania during the Italian and German occupation of Albania (1942–1944). The group operated after the withdrawal of the Greek forces from the area (April 1941), against the invading Italians, Germans and both against the Albanian communist and collaborationist organizations.
In May 1942, the first Northern Epirote resistance groups appeared in the area of Delvinë led by two locals and former officers of the Greek army: Spyridon Lytos and Ioannis Videlis. Soon several resistance groups were formed by the local Greek population all over southern Albania. They were operating in the regions: Pogon, Lunxhëri, Zagorie, Riza, Himara, Vlorë, Përmet, Leskovik and Korçë.[citation needed] In June 1942 these groups were organized under one leadership and the MAVI (also called EAOVI) was formed. The leading spirit was Vasileios Sachinis, a native from Douvian (Dropull).
The organization was a branch of the right-wing EDES that operated in Greece and its headquarters moved from place to place in southern Albania.
Widespread action was taken by the Northern Epirote resistance in December 1942, when attacks on Italian controlled frontier posts and gendarmerie stations increased. In the regions of Zagorie, Pogon, Delvinë, Sarandë (Vourkos) and Rhize sectors guerilla activity by MAVI was increasing. That period the leaders of the organization received a British mission in the village of Polican.
As a result of that activity Italian occupation forces took action, operating with units of the Albanian fascist militia. In March 1943, 160 inhabitants of Korce were sent to concentration camps for suspected underground activities with the Northern Epirote resistance. Moreover, with the help of Balli Kombëtar bands, occupation forces outlined plans against villages and towns of Epirote sympathies, in order to demoralize them.
The British Mission proposed that MAVI and the Albanian communist party, LNC, should collaborate to form a stronger force against the Axis and Albanian collaborationists (Balli Kombëtar), and arranged several meetings near Gyrokaster in August–September 1943.
On August 8, representatives of the Northern Epirote resistance, decided to join the communist party only in specific attacks against the Axis, provided that the latter will recognize the autonomy of the region in the post-war period. Although the Albanian communist leaders agreed and assurances of the British allied mission were given, they secretly marked Vasilis Sahinis for liquidation.
In September 1943 Italy surrendered to the Allies and its place in Albania was taken by German troops. Epirote groups were able to take the initiative for a short-time period.
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Northern Epirus Liberation Front
The Northern Epirus Liberation Front (Greek: Μέτωπο Απελευθέρωσης Βορείου Ηπείρου (ΜΑΒΗ), Métopo Apelefthérosis Voreíou Ipeírou (MAVI)), also called the Northern Epirote Liberation Organization (Εθνική Απελευθερωτική Οργάνωση Βορειοηπειρωτών (ΕΑΟΒΗ), Ethnikí Apeleftherotikí Orgánosi Voreioipeirotón (EAOVI)), was an ethnic Greek resistance group that operated in areas of southern Albania during the Italian and German occupation of Albania (1942–1944). The group operated after the withdrawal of the Greek forces from the area (April 1941), against the invading Italians, Germans and both against the Albanian communist and collaborationist organizations.
In May 1942, the first Northern Epirote resistance groups appeared in the area of Delvinë led by two locals and former officers of the Greek army: Spyridon Lytos and Ioannis Videlis. Soon several resistance groups were formed by the local Greek population all over southern Albania. They were operating in the regions: Pogon, Lunxhëri, Zagorie, Riza, Himara, Vlorë, Përmet, Leskovik and Korçë.[citation needed] In June 1942 these groups were organized under one leadership and the MAVI (also called EAOVI) was formed. The leading spirit was Vasileios Sachinis, a native from Douvian (Dropull).
The organization was a branch of the right-wing EDES that operated in Greece and its headquarters moved from place to place in southern Albania.
Widespread action was taken by the Northern Epirote resistance in December 1942, when attacks on Italian controlled frontier posts and gendarmerie stations increased. In the regions of Zagorie, Pogon, Delvinë, Sarandë (Vourkos) and Rhize sectors guerilla activity by MAVI was increasing. That period the leaders of the organization received a British mission in the village of Polican.
As a result of that activity Italian occupation forces took action, operating with units of the Albanian fascist militia. In March 1943, 160 inhabitants of Korce were sent to concentration camps for suspected underground activities with the Northern Epirote resistance. Moreover, with the help of Balli Kombëtar bands, occupation forces outlined plans against villages and towns of Epirote sympathies, in order to demoralize them.
The British Mission proposed that MAVI and the Albanian communist party, LNC, should collaborate to form a stronger force against the Axis and Albanian collaborationists (Balli Kombëtar), and arranged several meetings near Gyrokaster in August–September 1943.
On August 8, representatives of the Northern Epirote resistance, decided to join the communist party only in specific attacks against the Axis, provided that the latter will recognize the autonomy of the region in the post-war period. Although the Albanian communist leaders agreed and assurances of the British allied mission were given, they secretly marked Vasilis Sahinis for liquidation.
In September 1943 Italy surrendered to the Allies and its place in Albania was taken by German troops. Epirote groups were able to take the initiative for a short-time period.