Kastamonu During the National Struggle

The administrative, economic and socio-cultural regression seen in Kastamonu in the last periods of the Ottoman Empire deepened even more with the Armistice of Mudros signed after the First World War. Although Kastamonu was not invaded after the Armistice; The people were hesitant to stick to the Istanbul Government or to resist the occupations and start a new struggle. However, the publication of Açıksöz newspaper on June 15, 1919 enabled the public to wake up quickly about the national cause. On the other hand, Mustafa Kemal Pasha asked 20th Corps Commander Ali Fuat Pasha to send an officer with extraordinary powers to Kastamonu. Upon this instruction, Ali Fuat Pasha assigned Colonel Osman Bey to go to Kastamonu. Colonel Osman Bey's arrival in Kastamonu and his control of the situation ensure Kastamonu participation in the National Struggle. With the establishment of Kastamonu Defense of Rights Society on September 18, 1919, Kastamonu and its surroundings came under the control of the Society. Müdafaa-i Hukuk and Hilâl-i Ahmer Societies played an important role in supplying the equipment needed by the army. The Himaye-i Etfal Society, on the other hand, provided for the needs of martyrs and orphans. After the publication of the Tekâlif-i Milliye Emirleri, the aid to the army in Kastamonu was placed on an official basis. The activation of the Kastamonu Independence Court reduced the security incidents in the region. The people of Kastamonu protested the occupation of İzmir, Antep, Urfa and Maraş with rallies. Kastamonu's most important contribution to the National Struggle was to ship and transport the weapons and ammunition needed by the Inebolu-Ankara line and the Western Front. Kastamonu was also an important center providing the human resources of the Western Front, and a significant amount of soldiers were sent to the Western Front from here.

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