1912, 7 Δεκεμβρίου | The liberation of Korytsa (Korce)

After the liberation of Thessaloniki (October 26, 1912) the Macedonian Army turned towards Western Macedonia. The Ministry of Defense recommended to the Chief of Army Staff, Throne Successor Constantine, to combine his offensive actions against the Turks in the area of ​​the Monastery with the corresponding Serbian ones, in order to quickly clear the situation and capture the Turkish forces that were retreating to the south.

According to the εstimations of the Government, which made them known to the Army, there was a danger that the Turkish forces, in case of their escape, would turn to Epirus and strengthen the Turkish guard of Ioannina.

After the occupation of the Monastery by the Serbs, since the Greek Army did not catch up due to bad weather conditions and long distances, the Ministry of Military considered it appropriate to deploy two divisions for the liberation of Korytsa first and then the other cities of Western Macedonia. Following the armistice signed between Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria on the one hand and the Ottoman Empire on the other, the Army told the Ministry of the Army that it did not consider it appropriate to continue operations towards Korytsa, provided it was 19 until 18 November. that the bulk of the Turkish army had left for Ioannina. In the face of the new situation, the Government agreed, as it was necessary to gather a significant part of the army in Thessaloniki, in view of the landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula to open the straits of the Hellespont.

On November 19, an Army Group was set up to secure the areas of Kastoria and Florina in case the Turks attempted to attack them. Lieutenant General Konstantinos Damianos was appointed its commander.

The remaining Turkish army forces that had remained in the area of ​​Korytsa were reportedly estimated at 13 infantry battalions (10,000 – 12,000 men). Due to the cessation of Serb operations, most of them held positions against the Greek divisions which harassed them with constant attacks.

At 11:00 on November 29, strong Turkish forces attacked the guards of the Greek Army Group (1st Cavalry Regiment) and after a hard fight forced them to retreat to the west of Biglista, on the hills of Kapestitsa, where Divisional units had been forwarded.
The Macedonian Army, following a relevant proposal by the Army Department, ordered a counterattack against the Turkish forces.
The action from the 3rd and 6th Divisions, the detachment of the 5th Division, and the 1st Cavalry Regiment was lightning fast.

After a raid on December 5, Turkish forces in the area of ​​Biglista were overthrown and pushed towards the Tsagoni Strait and the mountain passes of Mount Morava.
On December 6, the advance of the Greek Forces to the west continued and despite the roughness of the ground and the hostile resistance on the slopes of the snow-covered Morava, in the evening they arrived and settled immediately east of Korytsa.

On December 7, 1912, at 06:00 the Greek Army entered Korytsa and among the joyful and sentimental encouragement of the inhabitants, the Greek Flag was raised at the City Hall.

One week later, on December 14, the 3rd Division advanced a Battalion of the 12th Infantry Regiment towards Moschopolis, which it liberated without encountering any hostile resistance.

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