The two Balkan Wars took place in the years 1912 – 1913. The First Balkan War (October 1912 – May 1913), with Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Montenegro allied against the Ottoman Empire, was the continuation of the Balkan people’s struggles for their liberation from the Turkish yoke. The Second Balkan War (June 1913 – July 1913), was fought between Bulgaria and the Greek – Serbian alliance.
During the First Balkan War, the Epirus Army section, under Major General Konstantinos Sapountzakis, aimed at liberating Ioannina. Following the battles on the plains of Arta (early October 1912), the taking of Preveza (21 October) and the hard fighting at Pente Pigadia (24 October) and Pesta (29 November), the Hellenic Army reached the fortified perimeter of Ioannina, at Bizani. However, failed attempts to take the fortress (early December 1912 – early January 1913) led to the replacement of Sapountzakis by the Commander in Chief, Heir Constantine. The attack on 20 February 1913 was the final decisive battle for the capture of Ioannina. The 1st Evzone Guard Regiment’s cutting of the telephone cables contributed to deceiving and taking the Turkish command by surprise, and to the bold forced entry of the Regiment, deciding the outcome of the final battle, which was the capture of Ioannina city. Its Turkish commander, Esad Pasha, surrendered it “unconditionally”, on 21 February 1913.
#ΕλληνικόςΣτρατός, #HellenicArmy
