Summary
Highlights
Following the Sakarya Battle, the Italians and French withdrew from Anatolia, leaving the Turkish and Greek forces to face each other. There was a one-year period between the Sakarya Battle and the Great Offensive during which the Turkish army was meticulously prepared, applying the 'Tekalif-i Milliye' (National Obligations) regulations. Despite demands from the opposition to attack, Mustafa Kemal insisted on full preparation to avoid negative outcomes. The offensive was set for August 26, a date chosen for its historical significance (Malazgirt in 1071).
The battle is known by several names: Dumlupınar Field Battle, Chief Commander's Battle (as Mustafa Kemal led it as Commander-in-Chief and Gazi Marshal), Rum Sındığı (Defeat of the Greeks) as coined by Mustafa Kemal, and 'Yurt Kurtaran' (Savior of the Homeland). Unlike previous successful offensives, the Great Offensive was the first successful large-scale offensive of the Turkish regular army, aiming to completely clear the enemy from the homeland.
To conceal the attack's timing, various deceptions were employed. The Foreign Minister was sent to London, a circumcision ceremony for an Ankara deputy's son was planned, and Mustafa Kemal visited Konya for a football match, while a tea reception was organized in Ankara. However, all preparations were secretly made at Afyon Kocatepe. Mustafa Kemal presented the 'SAT' (Surprise Attack Tactic) plan to the assembly, an encirclement strategy previously used in Carthaginian wars. Despite objections from Kazım Karabekir about the risks of Kocatepe terrain, the plan was adopted, and Karabekir was reassigned for his opposition.
The attack commenced at 05:30 on August 26 in Afyon Kocatepe. The Turkish army launched a fierce assault, taking the Greeks by surprise. The Greek forces were routed and began a rapid retreat towards İzmir. Mustafa Kemal gave the historic order, 'Armies, your first target is the Mediterranean; Forward!' This phrase implies advancing towards the Aegean Sea, which was historically also referred to as the Mediterranean. The Turkish army relentlessly pursued the Greeks, reaching İzmir by September 9. The Greeks attempted to escape by sea, with some jumping into the water. Despite what's commonly believed, the Greeks were not 'thrown into the sea' as their ships were already present for withdrawal. They even retaliated by bombing İzmir before leaving.
The story of Mustafa Kemal being shot in the watch happened previously at Gallipoli, not during the Great Offensive. Kazım Karabekir was not present at the Great Offensive due to his earlier opposition. The narrative of 'throwing the Greeks into the sea' is also historical hyperbole, as they mostly withdrew by ship. In Greece, the Turkish War of Independence is often portrayed differently, focusing only on Greek victories like Kütahya-Eskişehir and attributing their defeats to internal political chaos. This perception highlights the psychological advantage held by Turkey.
During the offensive, Greek Commander-in-Chief Trikopis was captured. Colonel Reşat Çiğiltepe tragically committed suicide for failing to capture a strategical hill on time, demonstrating the high sense of duty among Turkish officers. Following the victory, with Italians and French already gone and Armenians defeated in the East, the Turkish army turned towards İstanbul and the Bosphorus, leading to the 'Çanakkale Incident,' where for the first time, Turkish and British forces directly confronted each other politically and militarily. Fevzi Çakmak was promoted to Marshal after the Great Offensive, and İsmet İnönü also received promotions.
The military phase of the War of Independence concluded with the Great Offensive, leading to the diplomatic phase. The Mudanya Armistice was signed between the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) government and Britain, France, and Italy in Mudanya. İsmet Pasha represented the TGNA, marking his first significant diplomatic role. Greece, although not directly participating, accepted the terms. The Meriç River was established as the border. İstanbul and its surrounding areas were handed over to the TGNA without further fighting, boosting İsmet Pasha's political standing.
The transfer of İstanbul, the Ottoman capital, to the TGNA effectively meant the legal end of the Ottoman Empire. The Mudanya Armistice significantly invalidated the terms of the Treaty of Sèvres and prepared the ground for the Lausanne Peace Treaty. The defeat and subsequent armistice led to the resignation of British Prime Minister Lloyd George for the second time due to Mustafa Kemal's influence (the first being after Gallipoli), and the Greek government also experienced frequent changes in leadership due to the political and economic crisis.
Refet Bele, entrusted with the task of receiving Thrace from the Greeks via the British, is highlighted as an unsung hero who has not been adequately recognized. The video concludes by emphasizing that while the Mudanya Armistice settled the military conflicts and led to the end of the Ottoman Empire, the next challenge was to determine the sole representative of the Turkish side for the upcoming peace negotiations at Lausanne.