Shushicë (river)
The Shushicë or Vlora river is a river in southern Albania, tributary of the Vjosë. Its source is in the Vlorë County, near the village Kuç, municipality Himarë. It flows generally northwest through Brataj, Kotë and Shushicë and flows into the Vjosë near Armen, northeast of Vlorë.
Shushicë | |
---|---|
Location | |
Country | Albania |
Physical characteristics | |
Source | |
• location | Vlorë County |
Mouth | |
• location | Vjosë |
• coordinates | 40°34′8″N 19°34′13″E |
Length | 80 km (50 mi) |
Basin features | |
Progression | Vjosë→ Adriatic Sea |
The agricultural use of the river valley is very intensive and begins at the headwaters. Along the river there are so far three bridges which are located on the lower reaches at Peshkëpi , Drashovicë and Kotë.
In December 1940, during the Greco-Italian War of the World War II, the advancing Greek forces penetrated through Shushicë valley pushing back the Italian units in a successful operation that lead to the fall of Himara.[1]
During September and October 1943, the area was the battlefield of the battle of Drashovica part of the Albanian Resistance of World War II where the local Albanian resistance groups ,National Liberation Movement of Albania and the National Front of Albania , cooperated and won against the German Army.[2][3]
In antiquity the river was called Polyanthos (Greek: Πολύανθος) and Chaonites (Greek: Χαονίτης).[4]
References
- An abridged history of the Greek-Italian and Greek-German war, 1940-1941: (land operations). Athens: Hellenic Army General Staff, Army History Directorate. 1997. p. 117. ISBN 9789607897015.
The successful outcome of this battle was of particular importance, since the occupation of Koutsi saddle opened the road through the Siousitsa valley... After that, the Italians abandoned Himara, into which the Greek troops entered, in the morning of December 22.
- Frashëri, Xhemil (2007). Lufta e armatosur e popullit shqiptar: thelbi, përmasat, vlerat dhe arritjet e saj : 7 prill 1939-29 nëntor 1944. Dardania. p. 50. ISBN 978-99943-968-0-1. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
- Tamburi, Polikron; Ymeri, Petrit (1900). Veteranët tregojnë. Shtëpia Botuese "8 Nëntori". p. 88. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
- Hammond, Nicholas Geoffrey Lemprière (1967). Epirus: the geography, the ancient remains, the history and topography of Epirus and adjacent areas. Clarendon P. p. 679.
The Polyanthus (Shushke) is called 'Chaonites' by Lycophron