The liberation of Thessaloniki in November 1912 was followed by the recapture of Ioannina, another Ottoman-held Greek city, at the Battle of Bizani in early March. By the time of his assassination, George was a popular king, having brought the "Megali Idea" closer than ever during his nearly-50-year reign. On 18 March 1913, George took his usual afternoon walk in Thessaloniki, accompanied by Greek Army officer Ioannis Frangoudis. Against the urging of his advisers, the king refused to travel the city with a large number of guards; only two gendarmerie were permitted to follow at a distance. George and Frangoudis walked by the harbor near the White Tower of Thessaloniki, discussing the king's upcoming visit to the German battleship "SMS Goeben".