Ukshin Nuhë Peci (1904 – 20 February 1947), known as Ukshin Kovaçica, was an Albanian nationalist and Balli Kombëtar commander in Kosovo during World War II. He was one of the most notable fighters in the region Shala e Bajgorës.[1]
Ukshin Kovaçica | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1904 Bajgorë, Mitrovica, Ottoman Empire |
| Died | 20 February 1947 (aged 42) Vllahia, Mitrovica, DF Yugoslavia |
| Buried | Bletaj, Vushtrri, Kosovo |
| Allegiance | |
| Years of service | 1941–1947 |
| Rank | Commander |
| Unit | Vullnetari |
| Commands | Balli Kombëtar |
Biography
editEarly life
editUkshin Kovaçica was born under the name Ukshin Peci in the village of Bajgorë but immediately after his birth his family moved to Kovaçicë and adopted the last name.
Military career
editFollowing the Invasion of Yugoslavia in 1941, the Mitrovica region fell under German control. The Germans named Ukshin Kovaçica as the commander of the gendarmery in Karaçë, Gojbulja and Sllatinë. In October, 1944, he was also named the commander of Bare, Vesekofc and Rrëzhanë.[1] Following the end of the Second World War, the Ballist in the region Shala e Bajgorës and other regions in Kosovo refused to surrender. The resistance against the communist forces went on. Ukshin Kovaçica had his own group which was the second largest after the group of Ahmet Selaci.[1] In February, 1945, Ahmet Selaci's group was surrounded by the Partizan forces. Ukshin's group managed to help him leaving 36 Partizans dead.[1] They were invited to be part of the Besa Kombëtare, an anticommunist organization in Kosovo, founded by Ymer Berisha. However, this was not possible because there was no assistance and the anticommunist forces were soon overwhelmed by the Yugoslav forces.[2] In August 1946, the regions Shala e Bajgorës, Drenica, Llapi and Novi Pazar formed the Ibri Division where Ukshin was named the commander of the third group with vice–adjutant Smajl Svarça.[1] According to Yugoslav sources, in the battle from his Kulla 45 soldiers were killed including one captain and one mayor and an estimated number of 200 soldier were declared missing.[3]
Death
editUkshin Kovaçica was killed in a battle in Vllahia by the Yugoslav forces on the 20 February 1947.[4]
Legacy
editUkshin Kovaçica is widely regarded as a hero by ethnic Albanians. He and his Ballists were buried in the village Bletaj of Vushtrri.[5]
Many streets were named after Ukshin Kovaçica like in Pristina, Mitrovica or Vushtrri.[6][7][8] His village Kovaçicë is also known by the name Ukshinaj due to him.
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "QËNDRESA ANTIKOMUNISTE NË SHALËN E BAJGORES 1941 - 1950". ballikombetar.info (in Albanian).
- ^ "1945 | Ymer Berisha: Memorandum of Besa Kombëtare". www.albanianhistory.net. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
- ^ Kraja, Mehmet, ed. (2018). "Fjalori Enciklopedik i Kosovës". (Encyclopedic Dictionary of Kosova) (in Albanian). Vol. 1. Pristina: Akademia e Shkencave dhe e Arteve e Kosovës. p. 866. ISBN 9789951615846. OCLC 1080379844.
- ^ "Vrasjet dhe burgosjet e veprimtarëve shqiptarë të LNDSH-së nga OZN-ja dhe UDB-ja jugosllave". Bota Sot (in Albanian). 19 March 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
Ukshini ra heroikisht në luftë kundër forcave të UDB-së më 20 shkurt 1947
- ^ "Në Ditën e dëshmorëve zbulohet Pllaka përkujtimore e Ukshin Ukshin Kovaçicës". rks-gov.net (in Albanian). 1 September 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ "Rruga Ukshin Kovaçica - Komuna e Prishtinës". xk.geoview.info.
- ^ "Rruga Ukshin Kovaçica - Komuna e Mitrovicës". xk.geoview.info.
- ^ "Shkaku i punimeve infrastrukturore në rrugë, bllokohet rruga "Ukshin Kovaçica" në Vushtrri". vushtrriaonline.net.
External links
edit- Biography at zemrashqiptare.net