Battle of Oranik ( 1456 ) The Second Battle of Oranik took place during the spring of 1456 in the plains of Oranik ( Debar in modern day Macedonia ) . Moisi Arianit Golemi , lord of Debar , and one of Skanderbeg ' s officers , deserted to the Ottomans following the defeat at Berat in 1455 . Golemi set of from Adrianople with a force of 15 , 000 men to capture Albania but was swiftly defeated by Skanderbeg ' s smaller forces . Background . Skanderbeg ' s rebellion had been going on for over a decade , during which time he defeated many Turkish armies . The Ottoman Turks sent an invasion force under Isak Bey Pasha to subdue southern Albania . In this invasion , Isak captured the Albanian stronghold of Berat and crippled the Albanian resistance . Moisi of Dibra , one of Skanderbeg ' s most trusted officers , deserted to the Ottomans and made an attempt to defeat Skanderbeg by using the Ottoman army . He left Adrianople with 15 , 000 soldiers and marched towards Albania . Because of the knowledge Moisi possessed of Skanderbeg ' s strategies and of the Albanian terrain , Skanderbeg made all his dispositions for defense . Pre - battle . Since Moisi was a master in sleights and subtleties , Skanderbeg let the invader march through Oranik without any interruptions . Even when Moisi arrived , Skanderbeg was ready to deal with him by sending envoys but Moisi did not stop his march . The two armies met and the battle began with man - to - man combat between one soldier from each army . A Turk named Ahimaz stepped out and issued a challenge , which was taken up by an Albanian , Zaharia Gropa . Both men rode out on horse and both men were dismounted . The fight continued on foot until Zaharia stabbed Ahimaz in the throat and cut off his head whilst the two horses rode towards the Albanian lines , which was taken as a good omen by Skanderbeg ' s forces . Moisi then stepped out and challenged Skanderbeg to personal combat which caused Skanderbeg to stand in doubt . As Skanderbeg began to move towards Moisi , Moisi turned around and fled back to his own army , giving orders to begin attack the Albanians . The battle . The Ottoman forces were in two lines , the second consisting of picked soldiers who were to support the first in case of trouble . Behind these two lines was Moisi with his reserves of Albanians , probably his tribal supporters . Skanderbeg ' s force , comprising 6 , 000men on horse and 4 , 000 on foot , were divided into three with the commander in charge of the middle . Both Turkish lines quickly broke under the shock of the Albanian cavalry attack and the battle turned to hand to hand fighting with both commanders dangerously involved . Skanderbeg was thrown off his horse , but the initial impetus gave Skanderbeg an advantage that he never lost . Moisi escaped with about one third of his army . Aftermath . Moisi wandered around the frontier area for some time and then returned to Adrianople , where he was regarded with contempt . He found himself in debt , and lived in an atmosphere of fear and foreboding . He suddenly decided to throw himself to Skanderbeg ' s mercy . He left Adrianople at night and rode to Debar , where he was well received . Skanderbeg was at a nearby garrison and Moisi went there to ask for forgiveness . Skanderbeg pardoned him and restored his lands . Bonfires were lit to celebrate his return , and people were warned that his offense should never be publicly referred to .