Qemal Bego

Prepared by the Witnesses of War team

Qemal Hysen Bego was born on 10 October 1927 in Çepan, in Albania’s Skrapar region. On 10 September 1943, shortly before his sixteenth birthday, he joined the National Anti-Fascist Liberation Movement (LANÇ) as a partisan courier. His duties included carrying messages, orders and ammunition between resistance units.

In January 1944, he joined the Third Skrapar Group. He participated in the Battle of Tenda e Qypit, fighting against German forces, and later recalled helping wounded comrades after the battle. His wartime service also included fighting around Berat and Kuçovë.

By October 1944, Bego was serving with the 10th Assault Brigade, commanded by Njazi Çepani. With this formation, he participated in the fighting for the liberation of Tirana and operations against German troops withdrawing northwards.

After the war, Bego continued serving in Albania’s armed forces until May 1950, when he left military service for family reasons. He subsequently worked in agricultural administration and management in the Berat region. On 22 November 1969, he received the title Hero of Socialist Labour for his work leading an agricultural cooperative.

In later life, he remained active in veterans’ organisations and shared his memories of Albania’s wartime resistance.