Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 682 Thermopylae (Part 2)
The battle commenced on the front lines. The Greeks, relying on their remaining advantage of terrain and their unwavering resolve, put up a fierce resistance. Bullets whistled through the air, and Ottoman soldiers fell one after another. But the Ottoman army, with its superior numbers and better weaponry, steadily advanced, its firepower growing increasingly intense.

Just as the fierce battle raged on, a messenger stumbled and crawled into Zoglas's command post, his face deathly pale:
"General! Something terrible has happened! The Ottomans... the Ottomans have circled around from the east via a small path! At least one regiment has appeared on the high ground behind our flank!"

"To the side or rear? That's impossible!" an officer exclaimed. "That path is extremely well-hidden, and we've set up guards..."

"Shut up!" Zoglas interrupted him sharply, rushing to the observation post and raising his binoculars to look east. Sure enough, on a key hill to the flank and rear of their own lines, Ottoman flags and dense ranks of men had appeared, rapidly deploying machine guns and light artillery. That hill overlooked the main Greek defensive line and their only escape route.

"We're surrounded..." the adjutant said, his voice trembling as he voiced the deepest fear in everyone's heart.

The command post was deathly silent, with only the increasingly intense gunfire coming from the distant front lines, which now sounded like a death knell tolling for them.

Zograss whirled around, his facial muscles contorted with extreme tension, but his eyes blazed with a mad, trapped beast-like frenzy. "No! We haven't lost yet!" he roared, his voice hoarse with rage. "Kosmas! Take your battalion and immediately plug the breach in the east! Drive those Ottomans off the high ground at all costs!"

The battalion commander, Kosmas, was an officer known for his bravery. His face was solemn, but without the slightest hesitation, he saluted sharply: "Yes, General! The 3rd Battalion is determined to complete the mission to the death!" He turned and rushed out of the command post, loudly summoning his soldiers.

However, once a decline is established on the battlefield, it is often difficult to reverse.

The counterattack by the Kosmas battalion was tragic and fierce. Facing a hail of bullets raining down from the high ground, they launched a desperate charge. The Ottoman army held a decisive advantage in terrain, and machine gun fire swept through swathes of Greek soldiers like scythes. The Greek soldiers shouted "For Greece!" and charged forward wave after wave, but flesh and blood could not withstand the overwhelming firepower from the advantageous position. Battalion Commander Kosmas, riddled with bullets, fell halfway up the hill; his men were also almost entirely wiped out, and the counterattack was mercilessly crushed.

"Our escape route has been cut off!"

"Run!"

Similar shouts began to echo throughout the positions. The Greek soldiers, who had been putting up a fierce resistance, found their retreat cut off and were attacked from both sides, and their morale collapsed instantly. Many began to abandon their positions and retreat, but the high ground behind them was already controlled by the Ottomans. They had nowhere to escape and could only run around like headless flies in the narrow valleys, becoming easy targets for Ottoman snipers and machine guns.

The main Ottoman force, advancing on the front lines, noticed the faltering and disarray in the Greek defenses. The frontline commander decisively ordered: "The enemy is in disarray! Charge! For the Sultan! For the Empire!"

A deafening roar erupted from the front as Ottoman soldiers leaped from their trenches like a flood bursting its banks, launching a final assault on the shattered Greek defenses. At this point, the Greek command structure had essentially collapsed. In his command post, General Zoglas listened to the bad news pouring in from all directions and the ever-approaching gunfire; he knew it was all over.

"General! The Ottomans have broken through the left flank and are charging towards us! We must move out immediately!" a guard rushed in and shouted anxiously.

Zoglas smiled bitterly, drew his sword, and refused the suggestion to retreat. "I have failed the king and the people, and lost Thermopylae. I have no face to see the elders of Athens again." He said to the remaining advisors and guards, "You... break out on your own, every one of you who can leave is a chance."

Having said this, he straightened his gunpowder-blackened uniform, gripped his sword, and resolutely walked out of the command post, charging towards the swarming Ottoman soldiers. After a brief, desperate struggle, the Greek veteran fell on the pass he had sworn to defend to the death.

Having said this, he straightened his gunpowder-blackened uniform, gripped his sword, and resolutely walked out of the command post, charging towards the swarming Ottoman soldiers. After a brief, desperate struggle, the Greek veteran fell on the pass he had sworn to defend to the death.

With the death of their commander and the complete collapse of their defensive lines, the Battle of Thermopylae entered its final and bloodiest phase: encirclement and annihilation. Lacking unified command and effective organization, the Greek soldiers fell in droves under the pincer attack of the Ottoman army. Corpses littered the valley, and blood stained the ancient rocks of Thermopylae.

A few Greek soldiers attempted to break out separately along the mountain paths, but most were captured or killed by Ottoman squads familiar with the terrain or search parties led by local guides. Only a very few lucky ones managed to escape under the cover of darkness and in the chaos.

The Ottoman flag flew high above the pass. Inside and outside the pass lay the bodies of Greek soldiers, abandoned weapons, and equipment. Over ten thousand Greek soldiers were killed or captured in this battle; one of the most elite main forces of the Greek kingdom was almost entirely wiped out. The Ottoman army also suffered approximately four thousand casualties, but compared to their glorious victory, this price was considered entirely worthwhile.

This symbol of Sparta's resistance against the Persian army was captured for the second time, and in the same way both times: a sneak attack from behind via a side path. However, unlike during the Greek War of Independence, this time the Greeks were disoriented by Iranian artillery bombardment.

Upon learning of the fall of Thermopylae, the Ottoman army under Mitholungi could no longer contain themselves. They began a large-scale bombing campaign and the digging of tunnels. On July 25th, the Ottoman army carried out its largest bombing raid, using over 2000 shells and 400 barrels of explosives.

With a deafening roar, the walls of Mithril collapsed on a massive scale. Ottoman troops swarmed in, and the Greek defenders fought valiantly to protect the holy city, with residents joining the effort. But by midnight, the city had fallen to the Ottomans.

Compared to the first siege of Mysolungchi, this siege lasted only 21 days, which is quite short. This also reflects the progress of the Ottoman army and the backwardness of Greek equipment. The cannons used by the defenders were even purchased 30 years earlier. This gives a glimpse into the state of Greece's economy and military.

(End of this chapter)