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 20 May 1825, Battle at Maniaki, Panagiotis Zografos, Papaflessas and his men against an Egyptian army of Ibrahim Pasha
The Battle of Maniaki was fought on June 1, 1825 in Maniaki, Greece (in the hills east of Gargaliano) between Egyptian forces led by Ibrahim Pasha and Greek forces led by Papaflessas.[1] With 3000 Greek soldiers, Papaflessas chose to position his troops near Mount Malia in order to acquire a decent view of the plain near Navarino. From that entrenched position, Papaflessas awaited Ibrahim's forces. Many of the Greeks in Papaflessas's ranks fled after seeing Ibrahim's enormous forces.[2] Ibrahim, in person, advanced towards the Greek position leading a force of 6000 soldiers.[3] However, 1000 Greeks decided to stay and fight (Finlay places the number at 1500[4]). After Papaflessas provided an eloquent speech that enhanced the morale of his troops, the Arabs in Ibrahim's army attacked. The Greeks held their positions staunchly but were eventually overwhelmed by Ibrahim's forces. Ultimately, 800 Greeks including Papaflessas and 400 Arabs perished in the aftermath of the battle (Finlay places the number of Greek casualties at 1000[5]). Yet, despite the defeat of Papaflessas, the battle itself helped to change and strengthen the declining morale of other Greeks who contributed to the independence movement.[6]
Papaflessas at Maniaki 1825, Greek Stamp of 1975 References
Sources Finlay, George. History of the Greek Revolution. Blackwood and Sons, 1861 (Harvard University). Phillips, Walter Alison. The War of Greek Independence, 1821 to 1833. Smith, Elder and Company, 1897 (University of Michigan). * Maniaki is a Greek village in Messinia,
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