Ottoman–Egyptian Invasion of Mani

The Ottoman–Egyptian Invasion of Mani is a campaign during the Greek War of Independence that consists of three battles.

The Maniots fight against a combined Egyptian and Ottoman army under the command of Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt.

On March 17, 1821, the Maniots (residents of the central peninsula on the southern part of the Peloponnese) declared war on the Ottoman Empire, preceding the rest of Greece in joining the revolution by about a week.

The various Greek forces win a quick string of victories.

However, disputes break out among the leaders and anarchy ensues.

The Ottomans seize this chance and call  for reinforcements from Egypt.

The reinforcements come under the command of Ibrahim Pasha, the son of the leader of Egypt, Muhammad Ali

With the Greeks in disarray, Ibrahim ravages the Peloponnese and after a four months siege he captures the city of Missolonghi in April.

He now goes back to the Peloponnese and turns his attention in June to Mani.

Ibrahim tries to enter Mani from the north-east near Almiro on June 21, 1826, but he is forced to stop at the fortifications at Vergas.

His army of seven thousand men is held off by an army of two thousand Maniots and five hundred refugees from other parts of Greece.

Despite Egyptian and Ottoman artillery, the outnumbered Maniots manage to hold off the Ottomans. Ibrahim sends fifteen hundred men to attempt a landing near Areopolis and go north to threaten the Maniot rear.

This force is initially successful; however they are repelled with heavy losses.

When the Egyptians at Vergas hear that Theodoros Kolokotronis is advancing on their rear they retreat.

In August, Ibrahim renews the offensive and sends a group of regular soldiers down the coast; they reach Kariopoli before retreating.

Ibrahim sends a force of eight thousand men down to Polytsaravo and on the way they destroy a tower that is opposing them.

When they reached Polytsaravo, they are faced by the Maniots in their forts.

The Egyptians and the Ottomans are forced to retreat with significant losses.

This is the last time Mani is invaded during the War for Independence, as Greece is liberated in 1828.

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