 Complete the following phrase:  During the 1897 war he was a captain, and distinguished himself through his bravery in the Battle of Velestino, earning a field promotion. On the outbreak of the First Balkan War, he commanded the 7th Infantry Regiment within the Army of Thessaly. Following the capture of Thessaloniki, he led a mixed force of two battalions and an irregular volunteer corps to the capture of the island of Chios, which he accomplished against strong opposition by the Ottoman garrison. After the capture of Chios, he and his men were transferred to the Epirus sector, where he led one of the attack columns during the 