| Gajur Deralla | |
|---|---|
| Captain | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1910-1915 Tetovo, Ottoman Empire |
| Died | 1943 Bukovici |
| Nationality | Albanian |
| Occupation | Soldier |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Royal Albanian Army Royal Italian Army Balli Kombëtar |
Gajur Deralla was captain of the Luboten Battalion. The Luboten Battalion was a military division of the Balli Kombëtar which operated in Vardar Macedonia.
Contents |
Deralla was born in Kalkandelen, Ottoman Empire (present day Tetovo, Macedonia)[1][2][3] in the early 20th century. Deralla studied at the Yugoslav military academy. During his years at the military academy, Deralla came into contact with Italian intelligence agency, OVRA. Deralla left Yugoslavia and fled to Albania. In Albania, Deralla enlisted as a regular soldier in the Royal Albanian Army. On April 12, 1939, Italy occupied Albania. After the Italian occupation of Albania, Deralla became an Officer in the Royal Italian Army.[4]
In 1941, Italian forces occupied western Macedonia. Deralla returned to Tetovo, where he joined the Luboten Battalion as a Captain. The Battalion was responsible for securing the region from resistance groups, i.e. Yugoslav partisans.[5] With the capitulation of Italy in 1942, Nazi Germany took control of the region.
Despite the Luboten Battalion being formed by the Italian forces, The Germans did not disban the battalion. Instead, the Luboten Battalion was incorporated into the Balli Kombëtar, strengthening its forces. The troops under Deralla successfully repelled the Yugoslav partisans in Tetovo.[6][7] Tetovo had the largest Balli Kombëtar base in Macedonia.[8]
At the end of 1943, the Luboten division was sent to Kicevo to help the Ballist (Balli Kombëtar) forces of Mefail Shehu against the Yugoslav partisans.[9] On route to Kicevo, partisan forces organised an ambush at Bukovici. When Deralla and his forces went through Bukovici, the partisans successfully ambushed the battalion resulting in the death of Deralla and his troops.[10]