HAKAN ALTIN

Commander-in-Chief Mustafa Kemal Pasha launched the Great Offensive from Kocatepe at 5:30 a.m. on August 26, 1922, with cannon fire, personally commanding the battle. The enemy was routed in the field battle of Dumlupınar on August 30 and in hand-to-hand combat, and victory was achieved with the Turkish Army's entry into Izmir on September 9, 1922. On the 103rd anniversary of this victory, we commemorate all our martyrs and veterans, especially Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades-in-arms, with mercy and gratitude. (August 26, 2025)

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...