In November 1943, Enver Hoxha sent a long and politically charged letter to Miladin Popovic (Ali), addressing a series of domestic and international developments that were affecting the partisan war in Albania. The letter included analyses of the situation in Peza, the attitude towards the British and the National Front, the idea of sending a delegation to London, and the news of the capture of Tomor Sinan (Topi) by the Germans.
The letter begins in a critical tone:
“I knew very well that your eight days would become eighty days. This should be a lesson to you, for criticizing me for not returning from Tirana on time.”
Enver further reports on the situation on the ground. The 3rd Brigade had suffered a heavy blow from the Germans after failing to withdraw from Peza when ordered to do so. The commander had failed to maneuver, and the losses were heavy:
“Five killed, six wounded, over a hundred mules lost along with machine guns and heavy mortars. My friend the commander was not up to the task.”
He adds with concern:
“In addition to material losses, we have also had moral losses. About 30 partisans have left: some sick, some tired, some deserted. Among them, your famous friend Tomi.”
The other bad news:
Topi – Tomor Sinani – was captured by the Germans in Elbasan.
“Not only did they seize him, but they also seized all the documents. From the Central Committee circulars to the list of Party members.”
The attempt to rescue him ended in failure, although the group had entered the prison with automatic weapons and wounded several Germans.
“They tell us that Topi was taken to Struga and then to Bulgaria.”
Then Enver turns to the English:
“I’m worried about the English. The general came full of fine words and promises. When we started raising their misconduct, he said: ‘Let’s not mix this up, our officers are young, they make mistakes.'”
But most importantly , the British proposed that the Balli Kombëtar send a statement to be published on the BBC :
“The National Front is a patriotic organization that fought against fascist Italy and is now determined to fight the German occupier.”
Enver reacted immediately:
“I told him openly that we do not agree with this work and if London publishes it, we will expose it immediately. Relations with you will deteriorate.”
Even regarding the idea of sending a delegation to London , Enver clearly states:
“A delegation of ours cannot be sent without the approval of the Soviet Union and without admitting that we are a Communist Party. We cannot become tools of the English like King Peter or George of Greece.”
The letter also mentions the stance against the National Front as not a fratricidal war but as a war against traitors:
“If we find any collaboration with traitors, we will not hesitate for a minute to strike anyone, no matter how powerful.”
In the end, Enver writes sarcastically about a case of “courtesy”:
“Mustafa Gjinishi said to me in the car: ‘Why don’t we send a delegation to London?’ I told him that without Yugoslavia and Greece we can’t act. He understood that he couldn’t get me to play his game.”
