Occupation and Liberation of Mersin

Commander of the Yıldırım Army Group, Mustafa Kemal Pasha, which were abolished after the signing of the Armistice of Mudros, advised the people of Mersin to be prepared for the invasion before leaving the region. Due to the Mersin port, the Entente soldiers entered Anatolia first from here. During the First World War, some Armenians who were sent to other regions during the First World War returned and were systematically settled in Mersin by the invading states. Tensions increased in the city when Armenians attacked the Turks. When André, who was appointed by the French as the district governor, had the French flag hoisted instead of the Turkish flag, the Turks objected and reacted. On the other hand, the Armenian bandits in the Taurus Mountains continued to attack Turkish villages, further increasing the tension. The Turks started to gather around Emin Arslan Bey, the Commander of the Kuvâ-yı Milliye, who established resistance organizations and was appointed to the region by the Representative Committee. While Mustafa Kemal Pasha had the people organized around the Kuvâ-yı Milliye, he also ordered the destruction of the Taurus tunnels and railway bridges in order to cut off the enemy's supply lines. Conflicts in Mersin started on 6-7 April. Heavy losses were inflicted on the enemy in areas far from the coast, but artillery fire from the French ships prevented the capture of the city. The French attacks accompanied by reinforcements continued. However, they failed to take control of Mersin. In this study, it is aimed to reveal the occupation of Mersin, one of the important entrance gates of Anatolia, the reaction of the Turks to this and the national struggle of Mersin. In the study, the documents obtained from the Presidency of State Archives and Ankara University Turkish Revolution History Institute will be used as the main source. Memoirs and memories of those who lived through the period together with previous academic studies are other sources used.

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