The Macedonian area was claimed by the various governments of Bulgarian, Greek, Ottoman and even Macedonian Unity groups. As a result various warlords received support from different countries in the form of weapons and volunteers. During the later part of 1903 and early 1904, the various powers founded guerrilla movements and developed bases of support within Macedonia. Most advisors and 'volunteers' from the neighboring powers consisted of small bands of about thirty men which were often supplemented by Macedonian rebels.

However, these bands frequently operated in smaller groups. Most military actions were ambushes and raids associated with guerrilla operations which are not listed here unless a key leader may have been killed. A concerted operation between several bands could raise the number of men involved in an attack to over 150.

Another interesting aspect of these battles is the frequent involvement of several groups with different loyalties fighting multiple enemies. Often Turkish patrols from local garrisons would watch two groups fight it out, then sweep in and try to eliminate both factions. Pro-Greek sources imply that Bulgarian factions often aided Turkish troops. However other sources indicate that Ottoman officials were interested in destroying all independence factions regardless of their loyalties.

May 12, 1904. Bulgarian rebels (komitadjis) ambush and kill Macedonian Unity leader Vangeles Georgiou near Ljubetino in the Amynaion region.

Sept 15, 1904. Bulgarian komitadjis ambush and kill pro-Greek leader Modes within Monastir.

Sept 21 1904. Pro-Greek Guerrillas under Kaoudes attack Bulgarian komitadjis from Trigono and inflict heavy losses.

Oct. 13, 1904. Pro-Greek rebel leader Melas (~20 men) is ambushed by a Turkish cavalry patrol in the village of Statista. Melas is killed and many of his men are captured.

Oct. 14, 1904. Ethnic Greek female teacher Chatzegeorgiou with five other rebels are besieged in her house for four hours by Bulgarian komitadjis. The battle ends as they are burned alive.

Nov 12, 1904. Two pro-Greek bands under Katechakes and Kaoudes attack the pro-Bulgarian village of Zelenich in the Florina region. At a wedding, a meeting of high ranking Bulgarian komitadjis leaders was held. The raid was successful in killing several leaders.

Nov. 30, 1904. A large scale skirmish between pro-Greek fighters (40) and Bulgarian komitadjis (70) near Anatartiko in Florina.

March 25, 1905. A Pro-Greek force under Tsontos attack guerrillas of the Exarchate faction in the village of Zagoritsane in western Macedonia. Both sides suffer heavy losses, especially after a Turkish patrol arrives and attcks both groups. ( A unique gaming scenario)

April 16, 1905. Pro-Greek rebels (115) under Kalomenopoulos located at Drosopege in morihovoare assaulted by several Turkish companies.

April 21, 1905. Pro-Greek rebels located on Mt Siniatsiko near Kozane repel several attacks by regular Turkish troops. The rebels then counter-attack and rout the Turks.

May 5, 1905. Pro-Greek (100) and Macedonian rebels (100) in a village on Mt Vermion are attacked by a Turkish battalion (500). The Turks drive the rebela out of the area.

May 16, 1905. Pro-Greek rebels attack Bulgarian komitadjis in Karpe by establishing positions around the Gandashi Gorge. Both factions are later attacked by Ottoman garrison troops. Most of the leaders and men of the Greek faction are killed or captured.

June 21, 1905. Pro-Greek rebels attack Bulgarian komitadjis at Aetos in Florina.

July 29, 1905. Pro-Greek rebels attack Bulgarian komitadjis under Naum near Kladorrache. Both factions are later attacked by Ottoman garrison troops.

Aug 30, 1905. Pro-Greek rebels (50) attack Bulgarian komitadjis (30) near Gymna.

Sept 16, 1905. Pro-Greek rebels rout Bulgarian komitadjis under Naum at Dragosh in Florina.

Nov 7, 1905. Turkish troops surround and destroy a Pro-Greek band near Patalino.

Dec. 11, 1905. Pro-Greek rebels attack Bulgarian komitadjis near Archontiko. Both factions are later attacked by Ottoman garrison troops.

March 23, 1906. Turkish patrol skirmishes and disperses a Pro-Greek band near Zovich.

April 28, 1906. Bulgarians ambush a meeting of several Greek bands near Lake Giannitsa and kill several Greek faction leaders.

May 7, 1906. Pro-Greek rebels (~200) attack Bulgarian komitadjis (~200) near Osnitsane and Ezerich. The battle lasts 8 hours. Both factions are later attacked by Ottoman (700) troops.

May 29, 1906. Turkish troops assault Pro-Greek rebels at Mt Choraphi Metrou near Lehovo. The assault lasts 12 hours.

June 11, 1906. Pro-Greek rebels attack Bulgarian komitadjis near Lake Giannitsa.

July 9, 1906. Pro-Roumanian vs Ethnic Albanians vs Pro Greek rebels at Bradvishte, Morava. Some reports indicate this as a free-fo-all battle, while other state that it was a combined attack against the Greek faction.

July 15, 1906. Pro-Greek rebels attack Bulgarian komitadjis near Gornichevo in Florina. Both factions are later attacked by Ottoman garrison troops.

Aug. 23, 1906. Pro-Greek rebels attack Bulgarian komitadjis near Chernesovo. A bitter battle where most of the leaders present on both sides are killed. Sept 2, 1906. Turkish troops attack Pro-Greek factions in Serres.

Nov 14, 1906. Pro-Greek rebels are repulsed by Bulgarian komitadjis near Zervochori.

Nov 19, 1906. Turkish troops surround and destroy a Pro-Greek band near Zelovo

Nov 19. 1906. Turkish troops attack a macedonian Unity group in Oshtima.

April 12, 1907. Turkish troops surround and destroy a Pro-Greek band under Photakes at the Paralovos Monastery on the Erigon River.

April 30, 1907. Bulgarian komitadjis attack Kallithea, the home base of the Macedonia Unity Leader Kompokes. He and several followers are killed.

May 8, 1907. Pro-Greek rebels attack Bulgarian komitadjis in Phoupha. The Greeks are repulsed with heavy losses including its leader.

May 10, 1907. Pro-Greek rebels capture the major Bulgarian komitadjis camp at Patoma.

June 14, 1907. Turkish troops surround Pro-Greek rebel positions on the Subrech and Verbishta heights in Vitsi. The Rebels are driven from the heights after several costly assaults.

July 14, 1907. Turkish troops (60) attack and destroy a Pro-Greek rebels (12) in Dovishta.

July 16, 1907. Turkish troops (150) destroy a pro-Greek band (43) near Germa, Kastoria.

Oct 6, 1907. Pro-Greek rebels attack Bulgarian komitadjis at Papadia. Bitter house to house fighting occurred with heavy losses.

Oct 23, 1907. Pro-Greek rebels ambush a Bulgarian Colonist wagon train with a Turkish escort.

May 13, 1908. Pro-Greek rebels (80) attack Bulgarian komitadjis (70) at Papadia. Bitter house to house fighting occurred with heavy losses.

July 8, 1908. Bulgarian komitadjis (150) surround at Pro-Greek band (11) camped on Mt Piperitsa. It is a trap as other Greek bands under Volanes (50) and Karavites (50) attack the rear of the assaulting forces.

Prelude to the Balkan Wars

A Timeline
1854-1896
Greco-Turkish War of 1897
Macedonian Revolt 1903-08
First and Second Balkan Wars of 1912 and 1913