Greece, Kingdom, Psara Massacre Commemorative Medal, obverse: the island of Psara, the exploding magazines atop the strong point above the town, the Turkish fleet in the background, 37mm., bronze, good very fine £50-70

In the Greek War of Independence, 1821-29, the island of Psara (N.W. of Chios in the Aegean Sea) was amongst the first to rebel against their Turkish overlords. In 1823 the Psarians raided the coast of Asia Minor. In revenge the Turks under Hosref Pasha attacked the island from Mylilene in June 1824. Refugees from neighbouring islands and the mainland had swelled the population of the island to 20,000. The Turkish fleet silenced the batteries of Kanalos on the north side of the island and then on 24 June 1824 stormed ashore with 14,000 Janissaries. Some of the population had managed to escape the island but those that had not were either sold into slavery or slaughtered by the rampaging troops. Seeing the massacre below, the islanders in a last act of defiance blew up their magazines at Ftelia and Palaiokastro. Some 15,000 Greeks were killed in the massacre.