The Liberation of Thessaloniki on October 26, 1912, during the First Balkan War, was a landmark in modern Greek history. The city was under the control of the Ottoman Empire and was an important strategic hub for the Balkans. For Greece, the capture of Thessaloniki was of vital importance, as it was the key to dominance in Macedonia.

The Hellenic Army, under the leadership of Crown Prince Constantine, advanced rapidly towards Thessaloniki, after the victories at Sarantaporos and Giannitsa. On October 25, the Greek troops were on the outskirts of the city, while Bulgarian forces were approaching from the north. The Ottoman commander of Thessaloniki, Hasan Taksin Pasha, realising that he could not defend the city, agreed to surrender it unconditionally, signing a capitulation with the Hellenic Army. The Hellenic Army General Staff sent its representatives to the Headquarters of Hasan Taksin Pasha in Thessaloniki, at 19:00, October 26, to draw up the surrender protocols for the city. After a two-hour meeting, the said handover protocol was signed at 23:00, October 26.

The Liberation of Thessaloniki was a turning point for the Greek strategy in Macedonia, while it strengthened the Greek claims in the Balkans.

#ΕλληνικόςΣτρατός, #HellenicArmy