Kadri Bazi Breza (1880–1943) was an Albanian Kachak,[1] and freedom fighter during the Albanian National Awakening.[1] He is known for beheading Serbian officer Bašić.[2][3]
Kadri Bazi Breza | |
|---|---|
| Born | c.1880 |
| Died | 1943 |
| Nationality | Albanian |
| Occupation(s) | Freedom fighter, guerrilla fighter |
| Known for | Participation in the Battle of Kaçanik Armed resistance against Serbian army in 1912 |
Life
editEarly life
edit
Kadri Bazi Breza was an ethnic Albanian, born in the village Brezë, located in the Karadak region.[1] Kadri Bazi was the son of Abaz Breza, and had three Brothers.[1] Kadri Breza began his life as a merchant, active in the old bazaars of Skopje, which were then part of the Ottoman Empire.[1] On one occasion, a Serbian priest in the Old Bazaar of Skopje harassed two Muslim Albanian women from Matejče.[1] The priest stripped the clothes off the two women and started beating them with a whip.[1] The following day, upon learning of the incident, Kadri Breza tracked down the Serbian priest and killed him by firing six bullets into his head.[1]
Life as a Kachak
editBefore the First Balkan War, he participated in the Battle of Kaçanik and the Capture of Skopje by Albanian troops during the Albanian Uprising of 1912.[1][3] During the First Balkan War, Kadri Breza, alongside Idriz Seferi and others such as Sulë Hotla, participated in the Battle of Kumanovo.[1] Kadri Breza, in particular, fought on the Tabanovce front, where he encountered the forces of Radomir Putnik.[1] During the battle, the Ottomans accidentally fired their artillery shells at the Albanians defending Tabanovce instead of attacking Serbian forces.[1] The accidental friendly fire is also said to have damaged the old Tabanovce mosque.[1] Nevertheless, after suffering heavy casualties from the friendly fire, the Albanian Kachaks had to retreat.[1] Idriz Seferi, while trying to withdraw, was also captured by the Serbian Army.[4] Kadri Breza managed to escape and returned to his home village of Brezë afterwards.[1] In 1913, Serbian forces captured Villages in the Karadak region, under them Kadri Breza's village.[1] During that time a Serbian officer named Bašić with his unit composing of 300 men committed murders in the village, it was there when Bašić wanted to rape a local girl.[3] Kadri Breza heard the cries for help by the local girl and armed with a axe approached the Serbian commander, beheading him in front of all his men.[3] Surprised by this, the entire Serbian unit fled the village.[3] Kadri Breza then went into hiding in the mountains, where he was never caught by the Serbian Authorities.[5][1]
Legacy
editIn Karadak Kadri Bazi Breza is celebrated as a hero, who defended the Honour of the Albanians.[5][1]
A Monument to him is located in his home village of Brezë.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Studime Albanologjike 2". ITSH, Instituti i Trashëgimisë Shpirtërore e Kulturore të Shqiptarëve (in Albanian). Skopje. p. 186-199. Retrieved 2024-02-15.
- ^ "U Brestu Skopske Crne Gore: Sekira koja je obezglavila srpskog oficira, simbol sela".
- ^ a b c d e f Loku, Qëndresa (2021-03-30). "Ja si do ta ketë emrin rruga Hasanbeg-Haraçinë". Pa Censurë. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
- ^ TheAlbanian.co.uk (2014-08-19). "Momentet kur Idriz Seferi kapet rob nga serbët". The Albanian. Retrieved 2024-02-15.
- ^ a b c "(VIDEO) SKANDALOZNI SPOMENIK ZLOČINU: Sekira koja je ubila srpskog oficira simbol albanskog sela". kurir.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 2023-01-03.