1913 Greek View of the Invasion of Chios During the First Balkan War

This is a 1913 Greek chromolithograph view of the invasion of the island of Chios during the First Balkan War. The view illustrates Greek troops landing on the beaches of Chios and meeting the opposing Turkish army head-on, with Greek troops continuing forward in the face of severe musket and cannon fire. The Macedonia, a transatlantic liner that had been fitted with four large cannons, is depicted in the bay flanked two Greek gunboats. The fire from the Macedonia was reported to be most effective in aiding the Greek troops in their operation. The Seal of the Kingdom of Greece is situated in the center of the bottom border and bears the royal motto, 'my power to love people'.

The landing of three infantry battalions and one mountain battery occurred on November 24 (November 11 on the Julian calendar). A force of 4,000 Turkish troops occupied the island, and the landing was opposed by Turkish forces. Still, the Greeks successfully occupied the town of Chios and drove the Turks into the mountainous interior of the island. Skirmishes between Greek and Turkish forces would continue until the remaining 1,800 Turkish troops surrendered on January 3rd. The liberation of Chios is still celebrated on the island today, with the anniversary marked by parades and other festivities.

This view was printed in Greece in 1913. It is extremely rare, as we have been able to locate only two other known examples, both in museums in Greece.