mitralozë

Mitraloza is the Albanian term for a machine gun. Historically, it most commonly referred to the Soviet-designed Maxim machine gun, which saw widespread use in various conflicts. The name "mitralozë" is derived from the Italian word "mitragliatrice," meaning machine gun. This weapon, characterized by its water-cooled barrel and belt feed, was a significant technological advancement in firearms, offering sustained automatic fire. During the 20th century, variations and copies of the Maxim gun, as well as other machine gun designs, were adopted by military forces worldwide, including those in Albania. The term mitraloza became a general descriptor for such automatic weapons in the Albanian language, regardless of their specific origin or model, though the Maxim remained its quintessential representation for a considerable period. Its impact on warfare involved providing suppressive fire and increasing a military's offensive and defensive capabilities.