November 24, 1826: The victory of Karaiskakis in Arahova

In order to cut off the supplies and the reinforcement of Kioutahi Bey, who besieged the Acropolis of Athens, Gheorghios Karaiskakis decided to effect an encirclement and attack the Turkish Albanians of Musta Bey and Kehaya Bey in the area between Leivadia and Salona (Amfissa). Hostilities took place during the period from November 18 to 24, 1826. The final battle was held in Arahova and there several Turkish Albanians were slain along with their two chieftains. Karaiskakis was assisted effectively by the armed detachments of Nikitaras, Gheorghios Drakos, Vassilis Bousgos, Hatzimihalis Dalianis, Nakos Panourghias, Gheorghios Dyovouniotis, Constantinos Ghioldassis, Costas Hormovas, Kitsos Botsaris, Demetrios Makris, Gheorghios Tzavellas and Demetrios Kallerghis.

It was a Panhellenic endeavour, which proved what can be achieved thanks to concord and good cooperation, indeed when there is also the appropriate leader. The victory in Arahova was the most brilliant moment in the war action of the hero Gheorghios Karaiskakis, a mere few months before he was hit by the fatal bullet in Phaliron (April 22-23, 1827).