Albanian Infantry, 1914

Its the less well known uniforms that really interest me.
Albania had a brief taste of independence in 1914.
It had its own Army until it was washed away by the Great War.
Here is a postcard showing the infantry, with a very Italian look.

https://i.servimg.com/u/f42/12/22/09/10/postca10.jpg

https://i.servimg.com/u/f42/12/22/09/10/2344310.jpg


A coloured postcard. Can't say I agree with the colours though

Those pictures are very interesting Sean. The colour shades are probably no more accurate than hand tinted photographs usually are but the full dress uniforms visible in the background, being worn by the German princeling who took up the dangerous job of King of Albania from 1912-14, are reasonably close to the light grey-blue shown by Preben Kannik.

In "The first world war sourcebook" PJ Haythornthwaite it mentions the light blue uniform with black facings, but on active service ordinary national Albanian dress worn.
It also mentions that in 1916 the Italians formed an Albanian legion with Italian uniforms and equipment and white fleece cap.
The soldiers in the photos seem to have Italian ammo pouches, could they be showing this Italian legion ?

Pat.