From the collection of the Imperial War Museums.
British officers and men stationed in Salonika (Thessaloniki), Greece play football on the 25th of December, 1915. First World War.
Tag Archives: Greece
On this day: the Turks depart Crete
Ottoman Turks are seen departing Chania (Hania) on the Greek island of Crete on the 3rd of November, 1898.
During Ottoman occupation, Chania’s churches were turned into mosques. However, a population exchange between Greece and Turkey in the 1920s at the Ottoman Empire’s dissolution ended Islamic influence in the region.
On this day: the Battle of Lepanto
On the 7th of October, 1571, the Holy League destroyed Ottoman Empire forces in the Battle of Lepanto.
The coalition, made up of European Catholic maritime forces and organised by Pope Pius V, met the Turkish forces sailing west at the Gulf of Corinth, Greece.
The battle concluded at about 4pm.
The Holy League lost around 7500 soldiers, sailors and rowers, but they freed about as many Christian prisoners. The Ottomans lost around 15000, and at least 3500 were taken prisoner.
On this day: German tanks in Athens
On this day: the Nazi invasion of Crete
Christmas in 19th Century Greece
Nikiphoros Lytras, Carols, 1872. Greece.
On this day: the Great Fire of Smyrna began
Smyrna citizens trying to reach the Allied ships
The Great Fire of Smyrna destroyed much of Smyrna (known as İzmir today) in September 1922. It began on the 13th and was more or less extinguished by the 22nd of September. It effectively marked the end of the Greco-Turkish War.
The city on fire. 14th September. 0600 AM.
At the outbreak of the fire, up to 400 000 Greek and Armenian refugees were forced to remain on the waterfront while Turkish troops committed massacres.
The death toll from the fire is disputed, but Greek and Armenian deaths are placed somewhere between 50 000 and 100 000.
The aftermath.
