Around 8pm on 7th April 1939, 21 Italian bombers in formations of three, swooped low over Tirana to scatter leaflets: 'Albanians! Italian troops are landing today in your country.....do not oppose them with useless resistance. It will be wiped out. Do not listen to government or the men who have impoverished you and now would lead you to futile bloodshed. Soldiers of His Majesty the King Emperor of Italy have come and will remain only for the time necessary to restore order, justice and peace.'