Greek sailors and fireships delayed Ottoman-Egyptian reconquest

The Greek revolt faced a severe mismatch in resources, but experienced sailors and a makeshift fleet initially prevented Ottoman forces from receiving reinforcements by sea. The sultan secured Egyptian support by offering control of Crete to Muhammad Ali and the Peloponnese to Ibrahim if they recovered the lost territories. European assistance had helped Egypt develop a modern army and navy, trained largely by French officers. Crete would provide a base for an invasion while another army advanced from the north. Greek naval resistance delayed the island campaign, and a later fireship attack destroyed six enemy warships at considerable Greek cost. The delay forced the invasion force to winter in Crete. Ibrahim eventually moved in February 1825, choosing rougher conditions that denied the lighter Greek vessels the advantages they enjoyed in calm summer weather.