Lassithi During the Greek War of Independence - Part 3

During the Greek War of Independence, in 1821, Sultan Mahmoud II sought the help of Mohammed Ali, the regent of Egypt, for the suppression of the revolution. Ali has therefore sent Hassan Pasha's son-in-law, as head of the Egyptian army, along with thousands of soldiers.

Hassan Pasha initially attempted to attack the plateau from its west passes, but after several unsuccessful attempts, he decided to move towards the city of Ierapetra. He then changed his course and moved to the north, but this time towards the village of Kritsa, which lies east of the Lassithi plateau.

Thanks to this maneuver, Hassan Pasha managed to fool the rebels, who had assembled most of their forces in the province of Merabelo. In late January 1823, the Egyptian army invaded Lassithi via the unguarded Katharon plateau, where wild massacre and merciless extermination followed.