Each couple has a bunker: why did Albania build 750 thousand shelters? (6 photos)

Reinforced concrete pillboxes, fortified command posts and underground military warehouses - these structures still stand throughout Albania. 50 years ago the country was preparing for a full-scale war. 800 thousand people were included in the Resistance Forces. At that time, this was 40% of all residents, including women and teenagers.

Who was Albania preparing to fight with, and why were the bunkers never useful to the republic?





Alone against the whole world

The decision to prepare the country for defense was made by the head of Socialist Albania, Enver Hoxha. In the near future, the leader expected an attack from Yugoslavia, and in the future - a war with the socialist bloc or NATO. Or maybe with the whole world at once.

After World War II, Soviet power was established in the region. The leader of the Communist Party was the commander-in-chief of the partisan army, Enver Hoxha.

In the history of the country, he received a contradictory assessment. In domestic and foreign policy, the Albanian leader completely copied the Stalinist dictatorship. On the one hand, Enver consolidated society: he proclaimed the equality of women, distributed landowners' lands to peasants, defeated illiteracy of the population, etc.



On the other hand, he organized large-scale repressions against oppositionists, certain tribes and “hostile” class elements. Strict police control was established in Albania. It is believed that during the 40 years of Hoxha’s reign, a third of the country’s population was interrogated.

As a result, it was following Stalinism that led Enver to a quarrel with his neighbors and well-founded fears of losing power, country and life.

Split after split

Since 1945, the head of Yugoslavia, Josip Tito, together with Stalin, hatched a plan to unite the countries of the Balkan Peninsula into a federation under the leadership of Belgrade. While Yugoslavia was in allied relations with the USSR, there was no fear of war. Moreover, Stalin intended to voluntarily give Albania to the federation.





Stalin and Hoxha

However, in 1948, Tito began to pursue an independent policy. The refusal to provide Moscow with information about the Yugoslav economy led to the final break. Albania supported the USSR in this conflict. So Enver and Tito became irreconcilable rivals.

In 1956, a new split occurred, this time between the USSR and Albania. Nikita Khrushchev came to power in the Soviet Union. The Soviet leader criticized Stalin's personality cult. This position reconciled the USSR with Yugoslavia, but led to conflict with Albania. Enver declared Khrushchev a traitor.

From that moment on, the Albanian leader had only one powerful ally - China. Unfortunately, in 1978 Albania fell out with him too. The reasons were the death of Mao Zedong and China's friendly relations with the United States. Enver called the new Chinese policy opportunistic behavior. For some reason, no one liked to live in a revolutionary frenzy forever.

All these splits led Albania to a breakdown in trade relations and loss of material support. The country began to become poor. People expressed dissatisfaction. In order to maintain power and the regime, Hoxha strengthened the dictatorship, and in order to unite the people, he invented an enemy for them. The whole world has become this enemy.

Bunkerization program



The Albanian army could not withstand the more modern Yugoslav army. Therefore, Enver deliberately relied on partisan resistance. The strategy was based on armament and combat training of the maximum number of people.

In fact, every family became a fighting unit. At the age of 3, the child was explained that the world is full of spies and enemies. At 12 I was taught to shoot. The bunkers were to become strongholds of resistance. In total, there are 3 types of structures: single-bed (most), four-bed and permanent (control points).

Defensive positions were located throughout the country: in fields, in cemeteries, on city streets, in courtyards. Local residents were entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining cleanliness. In total, Enver configured up to 750 thousand control points.



Modern military experts are skeptical about the Albanian strategy. The bunker system did not provide a decisive advantage. However, “bunkerization” made it possible to consolidate people against the “common enemy.” And also forget about the construction of new housing and roads, since all resources were spent on bunkers. <br
Fortunately, the Albanians did not have to use the structures. In 1985, Enver was replaced by Ramiz Alia. The activist tried to continue the policy of Stalinism, but in the conditions of the crisis of the socialist system he failed to retain power. In 1991, the communist regime fell.

What happened to the bunkers?



Soon after the fall of socialism, the country charted a course towards NATO and officially joined the alliance in 2009. The new authorities abandoned the policy of partisan resistance and war with the whole world. They also stopped the massive construction of defensive structures.

The bunker can be officially purchased from the state - like any building. Prices range from 600 to 40 thousand euros. However, residents often simply occupy structures, developing them and moving in, especially those located on the outskirts of cities or in the wilderness.

Concrete pillboxes still decorate the Albanian landscape - most are abandoned, but over time they are increasingly used as museums, housing, warehouses and cafes. They became a symbol of the era and an unofficial monument to Enver Hoxha, the man who turned the country into one big bunker.