100 years ago on this day, the “Great Offensive” was launched by the Turkish army led by Mustafa Kemal, against the occupying Greek army
100 years ago on this day, the “Great Offensive” was launched by the Turkish army led by Mustafa Kemal, against the occupying Greek army
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Pictures from left to right (from top to bottom)
* Turkish artillery units
* Turkish cavalry during a mopping-up operation
* Turkish troops in Ankara readying for an offensive
* Turkish infrantry in a trench
* Greek infantry retreating
The most interesting thing is:
Some months after the Greek defeat at the Sakarya river (September 1921), Mustafa Kemal had a lot of pressure by the opposition why the Turkish army was not launching an offensive, claiming the army was incapable of action, etc. However this was only benefiting Mustafa Kemal. Rumours were assiduously spread among the foreigners that the army was not yet ready for an offensive. Even most of his cabinet members didn’t knew about this. Meanwhile, Ismet Pasha issued secret orders to army and corps commanders to prepare for the attack.
Mustafa Kemal left Ankara by car in the night of 17/18 August, arriving Aksehir on 20 August. An announcement was made that a tea party would be held in Çankaya (his residence). On 25 August, he joined the 1st Army headquarters in Kocatepe, while all communications between Anatolia and the outside world were cut. At dawn the following day, the attack started with an artillery barrage. After a time, Greek guns stopped responding, because, as it transpired later, their observation posts had been knocked out.
On 30 August, Trikoupis (Greek commander in chief of Asia Minor) surrendered alongside his men.