July 4, 1822: The Battle of Splantzatranslated

The Battle of Splantza was a military encounter between Greeks and Ottomans, in the context of the Revolution of 1821. It took place in Splantza or Spiatza Fanariou (present-day Ammoudia of Preveza) on July 4, 1822 and ended without a winner on the battlefield.

Before the Battle In mid-June 1822, Kyriakoulis Mavromichalis and Ioannis Razikotsikas, with a force of 500 men from Mani and Messolonghi, landed on the continental shores, by order of the President of the Executive (prime minister) Alexandros Mavrokordatos. Their mission was to reinforce the closely besieged Kiafa Souliotes. They were transported from Messolonghi by water ships, led by Nikolaos Vokos.

The small Greek force first occupied the port of Mourtos (today's Sivota in Thesprotia), where they burned the houses and captured 150 Turkish inhabitants of the area, whom they sent by ship to the Peloponnese. The amphibious action provoked the reaction of the English, who then occupied the Ionian Islands and defended the Ionian Sea. An English ship that arrived at Mourtos demanded that Mavromichalis leave the area immediately. The maniacal chieftain, because he was afraid of military action...