Eskişehir During the National Struggle

Eskişehir was one of the cities that was occupied immediately after the signing of the Armistice of Mondros and hosted many military and political developments due to its location. The city, which was subjected to British occupation in January 1919, was subjected to Greek occupation on June 20, 1921, which had more severe consequences. Until the end of the occupation on September 2, 1922, many important military and political events took place in the city, making it a center that carried the burden of the National Struggle. In military aspect, undoubtedly the most important battles of the National Struggle took place in this region. First, Ali Fuat Pasha's First and Second Eskişehir Offensives to end the British occupation, then First and Second Inönü Battles, Kütahya-Eskişehir Wars, the presence of the Western Front headquarters here and the efforts to resupply the army show the military importance of the region. By September 2, 1922, when the city was liberated, the occupation and wars had left a burnt, destroyed and tired city. The pro-Istanbul government administrators in the city showed an interesting example of the political struggles between Istanbul and Anatolia with their mismanagement against the National Struggle movement in Western Anatolia and the Sivas Congress. Seeing the resistance of the people and their support for the National Struggle, Corps Commander Kiraz Hamdi Pasha fled to Istanbul and Mutasarrıf Hilmi Bey was assassinated. In this city, which showed sensitivity and support from the first days of the National Struggle, after the end of the British occupation, organization was started rapidly and the struggle took a more systematic form by forming a Association for Defence of National Rights. Developments such as the Circass Ethem Incident, the Green Army Movement, the Eskişehir Independence Court, and the establishment of the Ayn-Pe intelligence organization made the city one of the most important centers of the National Struggle. Mustafa Kemal Pasha's biggest supporter in the National Struggle was undoubtedly the people of Anatolia. At every stage of both military and civilian structuring, the greatest support was the support of the people. Mustafa Kemal Pasha felt the support of the people from the beginning of the National Struggle and the support of the people was the biggest factor in the success of the struggle. One of the greatest support for Mustafa Kemal Pasha came from the people of Eskişehir. The city had been in an environment of chaos and conflict since the first moments of the National Struggle; however, the course of the struggle changed after the national forces had a say in the city, and the first signs of victory were seen. The influence of the Heyet-i Temsiliye on the national struggle in Western Anatolia could only be ensured with the capture of this city, and the opportunity to act jointly was found; a unity of strategy was achieved. As a result, the oppressed and victimized Turkish nation overcame its bitter fate here.

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