Introduction to air war on the Albanian Front

[Spoonfrog]

In reading about the Macedonian Front recently I came across the fascinating and complex topic of the air war in Albania. The following is a summary of what I have gleaned in my research. My goal is to turn some of these into playable solo and multiplayer scenarios. I hope you learn something new and I hope you, like me, are inspired to play some Albanian scenarios on the gaming table…

The Albanian Front is a relatively unknown corner of the relatively unknown Macedonian Front, especially in the English speaking world. It did not experience the level of combat or horrendous casualty rates of other fronts during the Great War. However, there is an interesting history waiting to be explored, including the aviation aspects, of which I will just scratch the surface in this four part summary.



Part 1 - Background and opposing forces

Albania was a neutral country during the Great War, yet it was trampled on by the troops of Greece, Serbia, Italy, France, Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria, who were all hoping to gain territory or influence in the area in the postwar world.

At the start of the War, Albania was in a state of political anarchy. In response to this situation, Greece occupied the south of the country, a province called Northern Epirus, which had a strong Greek minority. Italy then sent troops the coastal city of Valona (Vlorë), seeking to limit Greek influence. In the winter of 1915/16 the Serbian army, having been threatened by an overwhelming Austro-Hungarian and Bulgarian invasion, retreated west into Albania to the Adriatic coast, to be evacuated by Italian, French and British ships.

These early operations saw some limited activity in the air, mainly reconnaissance and light bombing. The Austrians attempted to disrupt the evacuation at San Giovanni di Medua in December 1915 by dropping small bombs from aircraft. In 1916 Austro-Hungarian aircraft began to appear over Valona, bombing the Italian forces and the port. In one notable action the Austro-Hungarian ace Julius Arigi, flying a Lohner B.VII two seater, sank a ship in Valona harbour with a bomb.

Following the evacuation of the Serbian army, Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria were left in control of most of Albania, with only Valona in the hands of Italy. The Italians, fearful of the Greek king's sympathy for the Central Powers at this point, sent troops south from Valona to oust the Greeks from Northern Epirus. With their rear thus secured, the Italian garrison of Valona dug in on the south bank of the river Vojusa (Vjosë) and prepared to meet an Austro-Hungarian attack. The Austro-Hungarians established their presence on the north bank of the river but did not press the attack against the strong Italian positions.

The front also began to stabilise inland from Valona, although the terrain in this area was rough and inaccessible. To the east the French were seeking to establish a continuous front in Macedonia. The Bulgarian forces facing the French in Macedonia had advanced into eastern Albania and taken control of Pogradec, at Lake Ohrid. France then sent troops to occupy Koritza (Korçë), south of Pogradec, which had been under Greek control. Greek rule was unpopular and, concerned that this could fuel local support for the Central Powers, the French ousted the Greeks and proclaimed the Autonomous Republic of Korçë. When Italian and French forces came in touch with each other in Albania, a continuous front had been established from the Aegean Sea in the east, through Macedonia and Albania to the Adriatic Sea in the west.

The aircraft flying over this diverse front ranged from ancient Farman aircraft used for reconnaissance in 1916 to state-of-the-art Hanriot fighters being deployed towards the end of the war. The area saw two seaters used for reconnaissance and light bombing raids, scouts dogfighting, multi engined bombers and seaplanes. Whilst the aviation action in Albania did not compare with the intensity and high casualty rates on the Western Front or even elsewhere on the Macedonian Front, the air crews were by no means inactive, as we shall see…

[Windy Jack]

I look forward to reading more.

[flash]

Nice one, Dom, look forward to seeing what you come up with.

[Spoonfrog]

Part 2 - The Southern Adriatic

The air war in the skies above the Albanian coast and the southern part of the Adriatic Sea was in many ways inseparable from the fighting on the Albanian Front - land planes flew over the sea and seaplanes fought over the land. One of the key factors was control of naval bases on the Albanian coast. Aircraft from both sides regularly crossed the sea, the width of the Adriatic in this area being small enough for a return trip.

Italy, France and Britain were keen to prevent Austro-Hungarian and German submarines from leaving and entering the Adriatic. To this end the "Otranto Barrage", a system of patrolling aircraft and surface vessels, was set up between Otranto in Italy and Valona in Albania. There were seaplane bases at Otranto and Brindisi. Italian seaplanes were also present in Valona, supported by the seaplane carrier "Europa". For their part the Austro-Hungarian navy established major seaplane bases at Cattaro (Kotor) and Durazzo (Durrës), from which naval aircraft patrolled the sea, escorted naval vessels and raided the Italian coastline opposite.

Typical of the naval aviation action in this area was an encounter between an Italian Macchi M.5 and a Hansa Brandenburg W.13 on 9 June 1918. A large number of Austro-Hungarian seaplanes bombed the port and seaplane base at Brindisi and were on their return journey when pilot Mario Baldini, who had taken off during the raid, managed to catch up with one of the Brandenburg W.13s. He gave the enemy aircraft a long burst of machine gun fire. Austrian pilot Reininger, with a dead observer and a damaged engine, turned his aircraft and landed on the sea. Baldini returned to Brindisi and Reininger was captured by an Italian vessel sent out to pick him up.

Seaplanes from both sides frequently had to make water landings due to combat damage or engine trouble. In most cases the crew were picked up by friendly or enemy surface vessels and the aircraft was either towed back to port or destroyed.

Land-based aircraft were also used in the south Adriatic. The Italians conducted several bombing raids by sending large numbers of Caproni bombers across the Adriatic to attack targets on the Austro-Hungarian held coastline, mainly the naval bases at Cattaro and Durazzo. One such raid took place on 4 October 1917, when 12 Ca.3 aircraft raided Cattaro. The attack was made at night, which meant that the bombers could fly without a rear gunner, there being little risk from enemy fighters in the dark. This gave the Caproni enough range when loaded with bombs to make the trip seem worthwhile. In reality these strategic bombing raids were costly and difficult to carry out, but had no tangible effect on the U-boat threat in the Mediterranean Sea.

From spring 1918 an RNAS force (which later became RAF squadrons 224-227) was sent to southern Italy to contribute to anti submarine work. The aircraft used for these duties were mainly D.H.4 / D.H.9 two seaters with Sopwith Camels for escorts/defence, although Short seaplanes and Sopwith 1½ Strutters were also flown by these units. The monotony of patrols over the sea was broken by occasional raids on the Albanian/Montenegrin coastline. There the British D.H.4/9s were met by anti-aircraft guns and sometimes Austro-Hungarian seaplanes and Aviatik D.Is defending the naval bases of Durazzo and Cattaro, with the result that several bombers were shot down during the course of the year.

Although the Otranto Barrage was largely ineffective at keeping the U-boats penned up in the Adriatic and the raids on naval bases were of limited value, there was plenty of action in the skies above the southern Adriatic Sea right up to the end of the conflict.

[Biggles downunder]

What a fascinating read this is!

[Spoonfrog]

Part 3 - The Vojusa Front and Berat

The front lines north of Valona stayed at the River Vojusa for most of the war, with neither side carrying out any offensive here until mid-1918. However aviators were by no means inactive, as is shown by the following translated excerpt from the diary of Lt Antonio Magnocavallo, a Caproni Ca.3 pilot with 11a squadriglia, based at Tahiraga near Valona.

4 Sep 1917 - bombing, Kuci bridge (some ineffective anti-aircraft fire)
9 Sep 1917 - morning: attempted bombing of Kiaf e Glaves (engine failure)
9 Sep 1917 - afternoon: bombing of enemy defences at Kiaf e Glaves (anti-aircraft fire well-aimed but ineffective)
26 Sep 1917 - reconnaissance of Mount Gradist, Sinia, Berat, Vesnia, Dobroniko, Kiaf e Glaves (much ineffective anti-aircraft fire, not well-aimed)
1 Oct 1917 - reconnaissance, Buful, Nova, Berat
7 Oct 1917 - attempted bombing of Mount Gradist
28 Oct 1917 - attempted bombing of Mount Gradist
21 Nov 1917 - afternoon: reconnaissance of Ptabul, Fieri Val Yanizza.
24 Nov 1917 - bombing of Cerevoda, Osum
19 Dec 1917 - bombing of the Kuci bridge
18 Dec 1917 - bombing of military facilities in Liusna (much anti-aircraft fire)
4 Feb 1918 - bombing of military facilities in Metali (intense shooting and attack by an enemy aircraft, repulsed by the escort)
10 Feb 1918 - bombing of the military facilities of Fieri (intense and precise anti-aircraft fire)
4 May 1918 - bombing of Fieri
16 May 1918 - altitude bombing of Vizeza, Osum, Cercvoda: same bombing and return to Osum, Berat, Kiaf e Glaves, Gradist (returning in a storm of rain and wind, successful landing at Tahiraga)
25 Jun 1918 - bombing of Fieri aerodrome
26 Jun 1918 - attempted bombing (intense anti-aircraft fire: hit on the empennage by shrapnel)
6 Jul 1918 - morning: bombing of enemy trenches Ciaffa Drisis and Prasboar, 100km north of Valona

On the afternoon of 6 July 1918 Magnocavallo's Ca.3 was shot down by an enemy Aviatik D.I on returning to Valona after bombing Fieri (Fjeri) aerodrome. The aircraft exploded with the loss of all four crew members.

Aircraft were active in this sector from the early days, even before the front had stabilised. In March 1916 the Italian 13a squadriglia was sent to Krionero aerodrome, near Valona, equipped with pre-war Farman aircraft. This unit was renamed the 34a squadriglia in April 1916. The squadron performed reconnaissance missions using these ancient aircraft until late 1917, when it was disbanded and replaced by the 116a squadriglia, flying SAML two seaters. In September 1916 some Nieuport scouts arrived to provide escorts for the reconnaissance aircraft. This Nieuport section was expanded to become the 85a squadriglia, which was flying Nieuport 17s by the end of 1917, receiving Hanriot HD.1s in May 1918. From mid-1916 the 11a squadriglia, equipped with Caproni Ca.3 bombers, was also based near Valona. All the above Italian units fell under the 8o Gruppo Volo from the end of 1916.

The Austro-Hungarians meanwhile fielded aircraft based on their side of the front and at a number of locations of the Albanian coast. The picture is slightly confusing, since units and partial units were moved numerous times. FLIK 6 was engaged in Montenegro and Albania throughout 1916, 1917 and 1918. Initially based at Cattaro (Kotor) in Montenegro, equipped with various aircraft including the Fokker Eindecker, Fokker B.I and Lohner B.VII, FLIK 6 later flew the Hansa Brandenburg C.I two seater and the Aviatik D.I scout from an aerodrome near Tirana. It received two Albatros D.III(oef) fighters in June 1917. FLIK 1 was a fighter squadron based in Tirana from mid-1918, but was also active in protecting the coast. FLIK 64 was a reconnaissance squadron flying Hansa Brandenburg C.Is, based at Cattaro in the first half of 1918 and later moving to Fier (Fjeri).

Austro-Hungarian ace Julius Arigi served in Albania in 1916. Flying a Hansa Brandenburg C.I two seater he claimed a number of Italian Farmans on the same day above the Shkumbin Estuary in August 1916. In October 1916 he and his gunner shot down a Caproni Ca.3.

Air activity in this sector peaked in July 1918 when the Italians were preparing for an offensive against the Austro-Hungarian lines. Italian plans called for extensive air attacks on enemy positions, supply lines and aerodromes. So great was the demand for air support that British support was called upon, using any aircraft that could be spared from anti-submarine duties at the Otranto Barrage. British D.H.4/9 bombers were tasked with artillery spotting for a British naval bombardment as well as reconnaissance and bombing of targets inland. On the 10th July 6 Sopwith Camels from Otranto were temporarily moved and based at Valona to support the Italian offensive.

One target identified as a key objective for the air attacks was Kuchi Bridge, a bridge over the river Seman north of the town of Berat. Rendering this crossing impassable to traffic would hamper Austro-Hungarian supplies and reinforcements heading for Berat. On the 6th and 7th of July 1918 British D.H.4/9s from 224 squadron took off from Otranto, flew over the Adriatic and bombed the bridge but without success. During the attempt on the 6th one D.H.9 was shot down by an Aviatik D.I from FLIK 6. With a damaged engine and wounded in the foot, pilot B Anderson managed to land the aircraft in enemy territory. Both crew members were captured and taken to Fieri. On the 8th July 224 squadron returned, this time making their bombing runs at a lower altitude and successfully destroying the bridge. Having taken the all-important photographs proving that the bridge was out of action, they returned to Otranto. On the same day Italian SAMLs from 116a squadriglia destroyed another key bridge (the Ponte di Metali near Fieri).

The Italian offensive was launched and successfully drove the enemy back, capturing Berat. In an unusual turn of events, Italian cavalry swept north from the Vojusa and arrived at Fieri aerodrome, capturing a number of aircraft and personnel. Anderson and his gunner, shot down several days earlier in their D.H.9, were liberated. As was often the case with offensives during the Great War, a counterattack launched by the Austro-Hungarians in August deprived Italy of many of her gains.

In October 1918, as the Central Powers began to collapse after the breakthrough on the Macedonian Front, Austro-Hungarian forces withdrew northwards from Fieri and Berat, pursued by the Italians on the ground and attacked from the air as well, until they surrendered on the 3rd November, having been driven from Albania.

[Windy Jack]

Thanks for these further instalments.

[flash]

Seems there's plenty of different types of actions to make up some interesting scenarios there, Dom.

[zenlizard]

Just sent rep for the research effort!

[Spoonfrog]

Thanks for your kind comments and rep everyone! Part 4 will come soon... I added a map to the first post to help visualise where the action took place.

[Flying Helmut]

Yes!
Very helpful map, thanks.

Have some helpful Rep!

[Spoonfrog]

Part 4 - Korçë and Lake Ohrid

To the North and West of Koritza (Korçë) the French (along with a small Russian contingent) faced the mixed Bulgarian and Austro-Hungarian "Ohrida Division". In September 1917 the French launched a successful offensive in this area pushing north from Koritza. This brought them to the shores of the large inland lakes Ohrid and Prespa, but it also brought them political trouble. Italy expressed displeasure that the French were advancing in Albania, where Italy was hoping to gain influence if not territory. Therefore the front remained static until an attack was organised in conjunction with the Italians the following year. In May 1918 an offensive was launched to the west of Koritza in cooperation with Italian forces, making some gains in the centre of the Albanian Front.

In January 1917 a small French aviation section was established in Koritza with two Farman aircraft for reconnaissance and a Nieuport 21 for escort. Koritza was regularly bombed by enemy two seater aircraft, which also attacked targets farther north and Gorica on the Albanian bank of Lake Presba. It is a mystery where these aircraft came from. No Austro-Hungarian or German aviation units appear to have been stationed in this area, but the frequency of the attacks suggests the aircraft were based locally - French accounts speak of Koritza and targets closer to the front lines being bombed daily. Presumably the aircraft were from a small aviation section based somewhere near lake Ohrid, but evidence is disappointingly elusive.

The inevitable clash between the opposing sides' aircraft came on 31 March 1917, when a Halberstadt scout attacked one of the French Farmans. Hit by the fire of the Farman's gunner as well as the escorting Nieuport 21, the Halberstadt went down and crashed into Lake Ohrid.

In spite of this success, the three French aircraft based at Koritza were clearly unable to counter the enemy attacks as well as carrying out reconnaissance. Therefore the Koritza aviation section was replaced in September 1917 by the 501eme escadrille, which was equipped with a variety of aircraft. Dorand AR1 and Breguet 14 two seaters were used for reconnaissance and bombing. Escort/air superiority was provided by Nieuport 23/24s and at least one SPAD VII.

Air actions in the Koritza area were not always undertaken by local units - patrols or reconnaissance missions in this area were sometimes undertaken by units based farther away. German ace Gerhard Fieseler scored two unconfirmed victories in the vicinity of Lake Ohrid, although Jasta 25 was based much farther east. On 9 September 1917 he shot down a Nieuport scout over Pogradec, probably whilst flying a Halberstadt D.II. Exactly (suspiciously so..?) one year later on 9 September 1918 he shot down a Nieuport over Lake Ohrid, this time probably flying an Albatros D.III. In another instance, on 23 May 1918 Breguet 14 bombers from escadrille 506 undertook a long range raid from their base near Monastir to bomb Ohrida, the major town on the east (Macedonian) bank of Lake Ohrid.

This area was one of the most inaccessible parts of the Macedonian Front. It was far from the sea ports, roads were poor and rail links non-existent. The fact that armies on both sides managed to maintain aviation units there and keep aircraft fuelled and maintained was impressive in itself, let alone the missions undertaken.

[Spoonfrog]

Addendum

An interesting episode that does not fit into part 1-4 but is worth telling: at the end of December 1916 Austro-Hungarian troops in Elbasan, 30 miles to the west of Lake Ohrid and well behind the front lines, captured French pilot Pierre Dupon, who had crash landed nearby. In the wreck of Dupon's Farman they discovered to their surprise (and presumably delight) a cargo of wine and food.

The story behind this unusual delivery is that the personnel of escadrille MF 384 based in Vrbeni (Itea, near Florina), having decided to celebrate New Year with wine and food from Salonica, dispatched Dupon to collect the goods. Dupon duly arrived in Salonica and loaded up his Farman with the precious cargo. However on the return journey to Vrbeni (75 miles west of Salonica) he became lost and ended up at Elbasan in Albania, 75 miles farther west than Vrbeni, presumably having run out of fuel.

Dupon has been suspected of partaking of the wine he was carrying before embarking on his journey, but this may be an unfair accusation - in the First World War many pilots lost their way. Flying over snow-covered ground it would have been tricky to pick out landmarks. Flying to Salonica, the biggest city in the region, was one thing. Finding his way back to his remote base that short, dark December day proved too much of a challenge, so much so that Dupon flew twice as far west as he intended, ending up deep inside Austro-Hungarian territory in Albania. No doubt his captors were very appreciative of this unexpected delivery!

EDIT: in a letter written to his comrades after his capture, Dupon described how he was chased by an enemy aircraft for over an hour, zig-zagging and climbing to escape. After the chase, he ran out of fuel and found himself coming down in Albania as darkness was falling. Following his capture he reported being treated well and was taken to Austria as a POW.

[Baz]

Great work and research. Need to get some early Farmans to pitch against the Lohner L and perhaps a couple of Brandenburg C.1’ s to get some good actions from the area.
In Friedrich Lang’s history it mentions his first two kills from Durazzo airbase was against Italian Farmans on a bombing mission in his Lohner L.1.
Plenty of stories on your account too to make interesting missions.
REP given.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

A very interesting set of informative posts about this lesser theatre of the war.
With Kyte having been involved in the fighting to the north, it may well be that one day his special flight of the Cano Corso is drawn into this area of opperations in support of his Italian allies.
Rob.