Greco-Turkish Wars
1807 to 1897
Greece's struggle for Independence from the Ottoman Empire.
| Siege of Missolonghi (Greek War of Independence )
Turks victory
This place was besieged in 1821 by a force of 11,000 Turks, under Omar Brionis Pasha, and was defended by a small Greek garrison, under Mavrocordatos. The little garrison made so gallant a defense, that at the end of two months Omar was forced to raise the siege. On April 27,1825, the town was again besieged by the Turks and was again most obstinately defended by the garrison and inhabitants. So little progress was made that it was found necessary to call for the aid of the Egyptian army, under Ibrahim, son of Mehemet Ali. It was not, however, till three months after his arrival before the place that it was finally taken by storm, April 22, 1826, having held out for all but a year. | ||
| Battle of Navarino
(Wars of the Lombard League )
Allies victory
Fought October 20, 1827, when the allied fleets of Great Britain, France and Russia under Codrington, de Rigny, and Heiden respectively, and numbering in all 24 ships, annihilated the Turkish and Egyptian fleets, 60 vessels being entirely destroyed, and the remainder driven ashore. The allies lost 272 in killed and wounded; the Turks over 4,000. This battle is noteworthy as being the last general action fought under the old conditions between wooden sailing ships. | ||
| Battle of Domokos (Greco-Turkish War )
Turks victory
Fought May 17, 1897, between five Turkish divisions of the army under Edhem Pasha, and the Greeks under the Crown Prince of Greece, about 40,000 strong. The Greeks held their ground till late in the evening, when the right was outflanked, and forced to give ground, though, when the action ceased, the Turks had made no other advance. Edhem was prepared to renew the fight on the following day, but the Crown Prince found that the retirement of his right had rendered the position untenable, and retreated during the night. The Greeks lost 600 killed and wounded; the Turks about 1,800. | ||
| Battle of Velestinos (Greek War of Independence )
Turks victory
Fought May 5, 1897, between a Turkish division under Hakki Pasha, and the Greeks, 9,000, under Colonel Smolenski. The Greeks occupied a strong position at Velestinos, where they were attacked by the Turks, but held their own throughout the day. After nightfall, however his line of retreat being threatened, Colonel Smolenski withdrew to Volo, where he embarked his troops on the 7th. | ||
| Battle of Pharsalus (Greco-Turkish War )
Turks victory
Fought May 6, 1897, when Edhem Pasha, with three Turkish divisions, drove the Greeks from their entrenchments in front of Pharsalus, at a cost of about 230 killed and wounded. The Greek loss was not very heavy. |
| Navarino in | Stories from English History, Part Third by Alfred J. Church |
| Greek War in | Growth of the British Empire by M. B. Synge |
Image Links | ||
|---|---|---|
 British Ironclads in Stories from English History, Part Third |
 The Battle of Navarino in Stories from English History, Part Third |
 The Final Assault and Massacre at Missolonghi in Greatest Nations - Greece |
 Destruction of the Turkish Fleet at Navarino in Greatest Nations - Greece |
 Turkish Troops Attacking the Cretan Insurgents in Greatest Nations - Greece |
 Bombardment of Canea by the Combined Powers in Greatest Nations - Greece |
 Greek Troops Capturing Mount St. Elias in Greatest Nations - Greece |
 Prince Nicholas and his Battery at Mati in Greatest Nations - Greece |
 Greek Peasantry Fleeing from Larissa in Greatest Nations - Greece |
 The British Red Cross Nurses Landing in Athens in Greatest Nations - Greece |
 The Turks in Macedonia in Greatest Nations: Vol X—Turkey |
 Turkish troops crossing the Grecian frontier in Greatest Nations: Vol X—Turkey |