The famous British actor who helped the Albanian communists during World War II

By: Irakli Koçollari

8-9 years ago, while I was working on the book "Albania under the Cold War" and documenting the British officers of the Directorate for Special Operations (SOE) who had served in Albania during the Second World War, I came across the name of a British officer who had operated mainly in the area of ​​Vlora and Labëria. His name resembled the name of a great British Hollywood actor. I thought this was a coincidence and nothing more. His name was Anthony Quayle.

In fact, to my surprise, I found that it was exactly him who had been during the war years in Albania! – Hollywood star Anthony Quayle, perhaps among the greatest British actors of the 20th century. The man who has starred in dozens of films and performed with dozens more on London theater stages and beyond. Played alongside the biggest Hollywood actors of the last century Gregory Peck, Gary Cooper, Anthony Quinn etc.; won a number of prestigious awards.

I became interested in his activity and soon managed to learn through the British historian Roderick Bailey, that he, immediately after returning to England, in 1945, had published a book of memories about his mission in southern Albania. This fact was of great interest to me, so I set out to find a copy of it. However, the book was published many years ago and has not been reprinted since then. This made it almost impossible to find the publication. However, luckily, after some time, I managed to get my hands on a used, outdated copy, left somewhere in the forgotten corners of auctions, which a friend of mine from Canada sent me.

I started reading it in one breath. The book was written in a very attractive language and style, perhaps because it was written immediately in the first days after the war, while the memories of the cries of the killed, the shouts of victory, etc. were still alive. It had been a time of great emotions, of difficult days of war, of shocking events, of pain, tears and of course of joy for the great triumph.

Anthony Quayle was 28 years old when he arrived on Albanian soil, on New Year's Eve 1943, at which time he replaced a colleague of his, Jerry Field, who had been accidentally injured on the Albanian coast of the Ionian Sea. Until then he had served in Gibraltar and then he would be transferred to a difficult front in the Balkans, in Albania. In very difficult terrain and weather conditions, under the control and wild incursions of the German forces, the young British Major, Anthony Quayle would land on the coast of Himara and from there he would start his clandestine activity to support and help the armed movement against the forces of the Nazi-fascist occupier.

Meeting of the British officer with the National Front

After first taking refuge with his friends in some caves in the mountains of the coast of Labëria, Quayle first contacted the representatives of the National Front, in Dukat, who until the end of 1943 had not taken any action against the Germans.

The mission of British SOE soldiers, operating behind the German occupiers throughout Europe and the Balkans, was to urge all political formations and their supporters in these parts to join the war against the Nazi military machine. Under these aims, after several debates with the representatives of the National Front, the British soldier addressed the latter with the exhaustive question:

Major Quayle: What will be your further attitude towards the German forces?

People of Balli: Neutral!

Major Quayle: And in the event that we English will attack the Germans in these parts, what will be your position?

"The people of Ball: They shook their heads and shut their mouths. Taking aggressive action against the Germans was dangerous for them. In short they were against making any attack on the Germans in their area. Then, I used the last resort," Quayle writes. Since they were not taking action against the Germans, I asked them:

Major Quayle: What do you think, then, if we use your valley to transport arms to the partisans?

This question caused a long discussion and in the end they said:

People of Balli: If the leaders of Balli in Vlora heard this, the Duchy would be attacked simultaneously by both the Germans and the National Front.

Meeting with partisan forces

A few days later, Quayle requested and received a meeting with the partisans of the Fifth Brigade, which operated in the area of ​​Labëria, Vlorë, Tepelën, Himarë and Gjirokastër.

While approaching the village of Tragjas, Anthony Quayle writes: "The sight was miserable. Of the six hundred small, inhabited houses, only fifty remained. Cracked walls, collapsed roofs... A resident, who had once been an immigrant to America, in Detroit, approached me and said: 'This country is all over, look at the destroyed houses... First the Italians, then the Germans, the National Front' . Surprised, I thought: 'For this destruction, my friends from the National Front, along with the Italians and Germans, are responsible'"?

Partisan brigade headquarters

While approaching the house where the headquarters of the Partisan Fifth Brigade was located, Quayle writes: "A group of Partisans bombarded me with questions: 'How is the war going?' When will it end? How are the allied armies in Italy? Would the Americans attack in the spring'? Entering the house where the Partisan Brigade Headquarters was located, the British wrote in his diary: "... The house was clean, the walls were painted white, the fire was lit, some embers were spread on the floor and some pillows were placed on the sides bright red".

After the first greetings with the command of the Brigade, the British began the conversation:

Major Quayle: I have been sent here to lend aid to all who fight against the common enemy. So I'm here to help you. We will discuss how the help will come and in what amount today.

This is how the British started the conversation in front of Commander Pec and Commissar "Besnik" (Hysni Kapo, IK)

The translator who had heard the answer of the partisans had summarized in his own words the answer given by "Besniku":

Translator: These men are very angry. They have suffered a lot...

But the British asked his translator to quote verbatim what the Brigade Commissioner had said. Carrying out the order of the British, the translator brought the words of "Besnik" into the right lecture:

"Besniku": Words to help us are very welcome, but after many good promises, we have received nothing from you! Your colleague, Kith, who was here before and is now gone, parachuted into our area and we took care of him. He made many promises of help to us, but instead of fulfilling the promises he made, he left us and transferred his base to the territory of Balli. He gave Dukat the help he had promised us... So, we are happy when we hear the word "help", but we don't believe you, because we have been betrayed by you several times.

While the British tried to justify the actions of his former colleague, Commander Peçi (Shefqet Peçi – Commander of the Fifth Brigade) intervened in the conversation. He was very red in the face, loudly and very passionately addressed the British:

Commander Peçi: The partisans started the war against the fascist invaders without help from the Allies and I do not deny that the help was very necessary, but if necessary, the Albanian partisans will continue the fight to the end even without it... And you know, the Brigade of The fifth has continued its resistance even without aid!

After a while "Besniku" (Hysni Kapo) intervened "with a childish smile, but completely sincere". "He apologized to me for the outburst of the Brigade Commander, who went by the nickname 'Earthquake'. His emotional reaction, and blunt words had left the impression on 'Besnik' that they had insulted me"!

However, after a while, both sides had calmed down, had put aside the debates and raised tones, and then in a laid-back conversation, the men had exchanged ideas about a base that would be controlled by the partisans, on the coast (at the monastery in Vuno). , where the British could bring military supplies to the partisans.

With a sincere phrase, remembers the British, "'Besniku' closed the conversations with me, with a disarming sincere smile, giving me this message: 'Very good. Then you can set up a base in the territory we control and leave Ball behind. Even for your safety reasons, you should do it! We will place at that base a company of partisans, even a battalion at your disposal as a guard, for among the Ball you will never be safe. They are fighting together with the Germans. Every day they can betray you'! "I knew that at this point they could be right," wrote the British.

A conversation between "Besnik" and the British major

"The 'Loyal' stayed behind with me to discuss the details of the materials the Fifth Brigade needed. In this direct conversation I saw that he spoke French well. This meant that we could communicate with each other even without the help of a translator.

I want seven hundred rifles - continued "Besniku"!

How big is your Brigade - I asked?

There are over a thousand people … but there is also another reservist force of another thousand people, a kind of 'local guard', but without weapons...

What are your priorities in clothes and food? - I continued.

'Loyal': You have seen for yourself what state we are in. We don't have coats and winter is coming soon, snow... But our biggest concern is weapons and ammunition! If we have weapons we can continue to fight even if we are a little cold and hungry, but we cannot kill Germans with blankets and cans of meat'

While he had left a little, Besnik turned to me again and said: 'You will forgive us for any harsh words we have spoken to you, but our need to meet the enemy is very great... There is also a reason why we should not to disappoint us in the promise you made us. The reason is that you are also young, and young people do not disappoint each other'!

Another story about the National Front

Upon returning to Ball's base, Quayle continues his accounts, the latter hurriedly asked: “'Did you like the Partisans'? I liked them - I told them. And that was a truth. The dynamism, fire and purpose of the partisans impressed me"!

And, continuing the conversation with one of the ballistas, Çela, the most confident among them, the British listened with increased curiosity to his story about the political formation to which he belonged, the National Front. Chela in a frank conversation told him: “Major, I used to be a very powerful ballista until one day I saw with my own eyes what I would not have believed otherwise. I saw people from my party side by side with the Germans, fighting against other Albanians, against the partisans. I took the emblem of the National Front from my chair and threw it on the ground. Since that day I am no longer with Ball".

A meeting with the commander of the National Front

By the end of December 1943, Quayle had gotten to know even better the Albanian political formations operating in the areas of Vlora, on the coast of Himara and Labëria as a whole; had sent a number of reports and information to the center in London about them and had communicated periodically with the Allied base in Bari to send aid in armaments to the anti-fascist resistance forces.

The Major had also not stopped debating with the representatives of Balli to convince them to line up on the front lines of fighting against the German invaders. Precisely, at the end of this month, the British would meet with the main leader of the National Front for the region of Vlora, Skënder Muça.

Major Quayle: And now you're fighting the Germans?

Skender Muca: No! I am now fighting with them!

"I was surprised by his sincerity."

Skender Muça: Are you surprised to hear me say these words? … I will tell you the reason. Our war is not your war. It is unfortunate for us Albanians, but this is true.

"I asked him to explain what he meant by the above words. And, he continued: 'One day the Allies will defeat Germany. That's for sure. One day the Germans will either be kicked out of the Balkans or they will run away on their own. Then our troubles will begin, the real troubles for Albania, Yugoslavia and Greece".

Major Quayle: Then why don't you do it when the war is over, but do it now in the middle of it and even cooperate with the Germans?

"Muça let out a restrained laugh and then continued: 'Because the communist movement, under the guise of a patriotic movement, will then have strengthened a lot... Therefore, to precede this we will use the Germans, who are now in Albania , as a weapon to destroy the communists and their movement".

Major Quayle: Of course, Muca was opening all the cards he had on the table. He may have realized that since concealment was now impossible, honesty would be the best policy.

The reaction of the British major

Major Quayle: You are playing a very dangerous game! You yourself say, you even believe that the Germans will win! You imply that post-war aid, or intervention from Russia, will be unpalatable to you. America or England remain as potential helpers for you. But, currently you are doing everything possible to oppose them, because "de facto" you are cooperating with the Germans!

Skender Muço: I admit it is a risk, but I am used to risks. I have risked a lot to come here to talk to you. If the Germans find out I will ... (and he gestured with his finger as if pulling the trigger of the cobra).

Major Quayle: Look, I advise you to change your policy ... I advise you and ask you to trust me to speak as a man you like and who wishes the good of your country as well as your own. I am telling you as an impartial outsider that you have made a fatal mistake.

Skender Muço: I can't change. My party is committed to this path and there is no turning back. Remember that history decides whether someone is right or wrong...

Major Quayle: You think you'll destroy the partisans?

Skënder Muço: Major, now a big operation is underway against the partisans, not only against the Fifth Brigade, but in the whole of South Albania. The attack is going well, very well... The partisan movement is on the verge of failure.

But those three months of the German winter operation would show quite the opposite. The partisan attitude would not only resist the German operation, but after the operation the Anti-Fascist National Liberation Movement would emerge even stronger than before. The British major himself had the opportunity to see these events with his own eyes, who at the end of the German operations, speaking to the representatives of the National Front, would declare to them:

Major Quayle: I had talked with Skënder Muço earlier. He talked to me about Ball's leadership role and made promises to me. I haven't heard from him since. None of his promises have been fulfilled. Thus, it seems that the Allies can no longer rely on the National Front as a party.

Addressing Ball's supporters, the British man said: "What have you done so far? You went out of the village and went to fight against the partisan forces. You fought side by side with the Germans. This was a big mistake. But you did another bad thing - you didn't succeed. The partisans were not destroyed. What you did was you provoked and incited even greater hostility of the partisans against you. But, not only that, you have created enmity with the Allies as well... This war is clearly going to end with the victory of the Allies and I wonder what will become of you when the war is over? What position will you be in then? Surrounded by your enemies, the partisans on one side and without support or sympathy from the Allies on the other... Since you fight on the side of the Germans, you lose the sympathy of your own people, but also of the Allies. That's all. You and your party are already in a situation from which I do not know how you will escape, but which you must escape, if only to survive".

The last meeting with the command of the Partisan Fifth Brigade

Betrayed by the ballisticians and held in isolation, in a state of arrest, Quayle was able to get out and leave to make a meeting with the partisan forces, in the areas controlled by the Fifth Brigade, in the village of Gumenica in Labëria. After arriving there, he wrote about this meeting: "In the center of the village we met two partisan girls, both with guns on their shoulders. We asked them if 'Besniku' was there. We were told it was and added that we had to wait a minute until they announced our arrival. They didn't leave us for long. Nearby, the noises and conversations of 'Besnik', Pec and a crowd of followers were heard. There was an enthusiastic handshake and that of 'Besnik' seemed sincere. Of course, I was glad to meet the man, but as we walked along the narrow road, with others following behind us, I remembered the last words he had said to me: 'You are also young like me, and the young do not disappoint. each other'! This bothered me, because while the disappointment had been pointless, even inevitable, it was still disappointment. The 'faithful', however, did not pretend, but instead showed a warmer friendship, smiled and put his arm on my shoulder as we continued to walk!.

"Besniku": Major, I told you that I don't want to talk about the past. It was your fault that we lost our connections when we needed them the most. This is because you made your base in Dukat, in Balli Kombëtar, and not in us where you should have been from the beginning.

Major Quayle: I didn't make a base there, I inherited that base. I also belong to the British Army and am under its orders. Maybe I should have been to you!

"Loyal": We have people in the Brigade who have done their best in these fights... come with me tomorrow and I will tell you that the partisans are dying of pneumonia and we have no medicine for them. And how did they get pneumonia? From fighting in the snow and sleeping in the snow, for weeks, without a coat, without a blanket. Come and see Major. Come and see the food we give you, hard black bread. I will show you other partisans who have traveled barefoot through the mountains, completely barefoot. They have frostbitten feet and the frostbite has turned to gangrene because we have no medicine. Come and see their legs tomorrow!

Major Quayle: I turned to my colleague David and carefully said: I am so upset that if I answer you now, this meeting will end in tears. I'll stop talking and count to twenty mentally before I open my mouth again!

The memories and testimonies of the anti-fascist resistance fighter of the Second World War, of the Hollywood star, are probably unique to the developments in Albania occupied by German forces. /Newspaper "Dita"/