ΧΑΪΔΑΡΙ ΧΑΪΔΑΡΙ - ΣΥΝΑΝΤΗΣΗ ΜΕ ΤΗΝ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ | Page 214

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The developments until the battle of
Analatos (24 April 1827)
In August and September 1827 the Akropolis siege
became tighter, with constant wall undermining
operations, but the besieged held tight. Makrygiannis
and Chormovitis were among the distinguished captains.
Nonetheless, the situation of the besieged worsened as
gun and food supplies ran short. The castle commander,
I. Gkouras was killed on the midnight of the 30th
of September. On the 12th of October Karaiskakis
and Krieziotis broke the enemy lines and supplied
the Akropolis. The same was achieved by Faviere
a month later.
Meanwhile the government had granted Karaiskakis his
Roumeli campaign in order to cut Kutahiye’s supply line,
stir again the Revolution and send the Great Forces a
message. He set out into Boiotia on the 25th of October
1826 and by the 5th of February he had triumphed in
several battles through Roumeli. Two days later he was
back to Athens, were the situation was not good, as
Kutahiye was determined to win and seemed invincible.
In January 1827 Greeks and Philhellenes tried to reinforce
Greek positions in Piraeus and Phaliro. Despite a defeat
at Kamatero, the repeling of a strong Turkish force saved
the day. Karaiskakis’ return to Attica and the critical
conditions of the fight resulted in a great gathering of
forces. Kolokotronis sent 1480 Peloponnesians with
his son, Gennaios. It was the largest Greek force ever.
Greeks won the battles at Keratsini (4 March) and Agios
Spyridonas in Piraeus (13-16 April).
However, the government appointed English Philhellene
commanders, D. Church and T. Cochrane, a fact that
brought discontent and reduced the Greek fighting
strength. Cochrane, unlike the guerilla tactics of
Karaiskakis, wanted to attempt a full frontal attack.
During a phase of decision making and in a minor
fighting episode, Karaiskakis was fatally wounded at
Phaliro, on the 21 April 1827. He died two days later.
Despite the tragic developments, Cochrane insisted
and led the Greek army to a catastrophic defeat. The
Greek camp was disbanded and Akropolis surrendered a
month later. The whole of Roumeli then belonged to the
Ottomans, and was recovered only after the naval battle
at Navarino (October 1827).
The battle of Daphni (21 March 1827)
During the battles for Athens a battle took place in
the olive grove in front of the Daphni Monastery. It
was initiated by Karaiskakis, who meant to encourage
the besieged that watched it from the Akropolis. G.
Kolokotronis, C. Sisinis and other Peloponnesian captains
took part in it. Karaiskakis entered the olive grove with
one hundred and fourty cavalry and a small infantry
force. General Kutahiye was cunning enough to leave
his troops hidden on the surrounding hiils and unleash a
surprise attack. The Greeks were trapped as they were
cut off from their reinforcements in the Keratsini camp.
The battle became a fierce and close fight with swords.
None of the two armies was able to win. At this point,
Karaiskakis ordered his Turkish protegee to make him
coffee in order to show that he remained calm! Three
hours later the Greeks managed to withdraw.
Georgios Karaiskakis (1780-1827).