40,000, along with 80 artillery pieces (amongst which 12 heavy 105 mm and 155 mm guns) and six aircraft.[1][13] On the other hand, an additional number of Ottoman soldiers, who were retreating from the Macedonian front, reinforced the defenders.[3] Throughout the period, the siege continued actively, with artillery duels, attacks by Albanian irregulars on Greek supply lines, and reconnaissance and bombing missions on the city by the Greek airplanes.[14] At the same time, the hardships of the winter affected the morale of both sides.[15] The Greek Epirus front commander, General Konstantinos Sapountzakis, launched a new frontal attack on January 20.