The Capture of Berat (also known as the Capture of Berati) was carried out by forces of the Autonomous Northern Epirus on 14 September 1914, during the Northern Epirus struggle. Due to insufficient forces, and particularly because the action lacked the consent of the Provisional Government of Northern Epirus,Βορειοηπειρωτικός Αγώνας, Γενικό Επιτελείο Στρατού, page 307. the city returned to Albanian control a few days later.
Background Following the signing of the Protocol of Corfu (5-17 May 1914), the autonomous status governing Northern Epirus as a southern region of Albania was officially recognized. However, the Protocol was never implemented due to the outbreak of World War I, while Albania descended into total political instability and rebellions led by the pro-Ottoman faction.
Advance and Capture As a result of the anarchy in Albania, peace was not fully restored to the region and the forces of Autonomous Northern Epirus frequently clashed with Albanian irregulars along the border zone. In the area of Përmet, fighting continued unabated. During the summer, the Northern Epirote forces captured the village of Ostrovicë on 25 June and subsequently advanced to seize the Gorge of Këlcyrë. On 14 September, following significant skirmishes, Berat was captured by Captain Leontakianakos. Leading a detachment of 150 men, he executed the operation without the knowledge of his superiors.Αγγέλου Ν. Παπακώστα, Η αλύτρωτος Ήπειρος, Αθήναι 1951, page 29. The Northern Epirote forces entered the city, where they were warmly welcomed by the local Greek and Christian population of Berat, who raised Greek flags.Βορειοηπειρωτικός Αγώνας, Γενικό Επιτελείο Στρατού page. 305. The following day, Th. Mantouvalos, the political and military governor of Përmet, reported the success and requested reinforcements.
Aftermath As soon as the heads of the Provisional Government of Northern Epirus, Georgios Christakis-Zografos and Demetrios Doulis, were informed of the developments, they ordered the immediate withdrawal of the detachments. According to their letter, they considered the conquest of territories where Greeks did not form a majority to be futile. Captain Antonios Leontakianakos and his adjutant and cousin, First Lieutenant Georgios Stefanakos, disobeyed the order and remained behind with their force of 150 men. On 18 September, they came under heavy attack by Albanian detachments led by Musa Qazimi. In the ensuing unequal engagement, nearly the entire defending force was neutralized. Among the very few survivors were Leontakianakos and Stefanakos, who were captured and executed that same day.Βορειοηπειρωτικός Αγώνας, Γενικό Επιτελείο Στρατού page. 308.
Legacy The clashes in Berat were among the last of the Northern Epirus struggle. On 14 October 1914, on the eve of World War I's expansion into the Balkans, the Hellenic Army entered Northern Epirus for a second time following an absence of approximately nine months. This re-entry was carried out with the consent of the Entente powers in order to prevent further bloodshed and restore stability to the region.Ιακωβίδης, 2011: 67
References
Sources Iakovidis, Savvas Charalampou (2011).Το Αυτονομιστικό Κίνημα στη Βόρεια Ήπειρο (1914) (in Greek). Thessaloniki: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. pp. 66–67. Ο Βορειοηπειρωτικός Αγώνας. Γενικό Επιτελείο Στρατού, Διεύθυνση Ιστορία Στρατού, (1997)