Desertion of 4 March 1997

Albanian civil war of 1997
Part of the
Fighting groups
Forum for Democracy Committee of Public Salvation Government of National Reconciliation Operation Alba Volunteer Forces
Gangs of 1997
Gang of Çole Gang of Gaxhai Gang of Altin Dardha Gang of Pusi i Mezinit Gang of Cërrik Gang of Lushnje Gang of Tepelena Gang of Haklaj Family
Massacres in 1997
Massacre of 28 February 1997 Massacre of Qafë-Gjashta Massacre of Levan Massacre of Cërrik Massacre of Ura Vajgurore
Tragedies of 1997
Otranto Tragedy Qafë Shtama Tragedy
Treasury thefts
Krraba Stealing Stealing of Northern State Treasury
Rescue missions
Operation Silver Wake Operation Libelle Operation Kosmas
Agreements
6 March 1997 9 March 1997
UN Resolutions
Resolution 1101 Resolution 1114
Important events
Opening of the depots Desertion of 4 March 1997 7-8 March 1997 attack on Gjirokastër Visit of Romano Prodi Albanian parliamentary election, 1997 Albanian monarchy referendum, 1997
See also
Pyramid schemes in Albania Role of media in 1997 Literature on the events of 1997

Desertion of 4 March 1997 (Albanian: Dezertimi i 4 Marsit 1997) was the desertion of two Albanian Air Force pilots, Agron Dajçi and Ardian Elezi, to Italy. The incident caused a diplomatic scandal and increased stress between the rebels and the government.

The event

On 4 March 1997, at 15:30, two pilots of the Regiment from 4020 to Rinas airport took off and head towards the south of the country. During their return flight to Italy they decided to land at the Air Base Galattina of Lecce, in southern Italy. They manage to escape radar, by flying their plane 15 meters from sea level and were only detected when Italian forces down. The government later demanded the repatriation of two deserters.

Assumptions on event

The pilots said they were ordered by the government to strike Mifol Bridge, connecting with Fier Vlore, in order to isolate the insurgency. Not wanting to hit civilians, they fled to Italy. But the fact that the aircraft did not spotted by radar, even though a plane is weak and difficult to be piloted at low altitude, suggests that the evacuation plan was parapregatitur Italy and not a spur of the moment idea as the pilots say.

References

YouTube: desertion of March 1997
Top YouTube-Channel: Events of 1997

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