GREEK PRISONERS
Twelve days after September 3, 1922, Ankara witnessed a historic
day, witnessing a final scene of victory that revived the spirit
of victory...
The Greek prisoners were arriving. At dawn, the station area was
packed with people. At 4:00 p.m., the train whistled, and it
slowly entered the station. More than 150 Greek captive officers
were loaded onto carriages in front of the station. The public's
excitement was calmed by gendarmerie, army units, and their
entourage. Suddenly, a profound silence fell. No other nation
could display such noble fortitude and endurance as the Turkish
nation. The carriages departed. When they arrived in front of
the Turkish Grand National Assembly, they rose from their seats,
saluting as if they were standing, and remained there until they
departed. The convoy arrived at Sarıkışla. The Location and
Garrison Commanders welcomed the prisoners as they disembarked
from the carriage:
-Get well soon, welcome!
They welcomed them inside, seating them in twos and fours in rooms like
guests. Thanks to the Turkish-speaking staff, there was no difficulty in
communicating. After relieving their travel fatigue with a bath, a
cleansing session, and complimentary tea and coffee, the Location
Commander said:
-You are free. You can wander around the
courtyard as you wish. If you have any needs or needs, please let me
know!
The captive Greek officers, overwhelmed with joy, first asked for pen
and paper to write letters to their families.
Three days later, the second convoy of prisoners arrived in Ankara,
accompanied by their Commander-in-Chief, General Trikupis, and
other commanders. He answered reporters' questions as follows:
-We finally raised the white flag. They came
and took us. After our arrest, we received exceptional treatment from
everyone, for whom I will always be grateful." Your fellow citizens were
truly generous. Not a single one of us even got a nosebleed. We cannot
forget this...
General İsmet took me to your Commander-in-Chief. Mustafa Kemal Pasha
is calm, present, resolute, and serious. He weighs every word carefully
and immediately impresses those around him. He is a great man who is not
swayed by appearances, but carefully calculates every action, makes
decisions based on facts, carefully monitors their implementation, and
knows how to take appropriate and timely measures accordingly. Your army
is composed of distinguished individuals and has a top-notch command
staff. The Turks are truly brave. Perhaps the greatest reason for our
defeat was the effective and accurate fire of your artillery...
A week after the arrival of the second prisoner convoy, Mustafa Kemal
Pasha was arriving in Ankara. General Trikopis, who had shown his
unwavering desire to see the Commander-in-Chief's arrival, was brought
under a tree where he could see it from afar.
Seeing the city, bustling with excitement, enthusiasm, and love, echoing
with thunderous applause, embrace its beloved leader with an
indescribable yearning for his commander, Trikopis wiped his eyes,
which welled up with tears for the first time, and said in a trembling
voice:
-Great nation, great commander. It's a shame
we didn't recognize him. And we were too late to understand...
He simply said...