The Western Black Sea in the National Struggle: Bartın and Surrounding Command

In the National Struggle, the Western Black Sea Region, which controls the Bosphorus Strait and Ankara and hosts the land and sea routes between Istanbul and Anatolia, has become a strategic region. The fact that the Parliament operated safely in Ankara and continued the fight against the Greeks effectively depended on the fact that the Western Black Sea Region was kept under control by the Kuvâ-yı Milliye. Zonguldak and its surrounding, one of the important centers of the Western Black Sea Region, was being defended by the Bartın and Surrounding Command (Zonguldak Detachment). The command, whose headquarters were located in Çaycuma, was headed by Captain Cevat Rifat Bey. The command was subordinate to the Kastamonu and Surrounding Command, which was administered by Muhittin Pasha. January October 15, 1920 and January 12, 1921, the Bartın and Surrounding Command managed to stop two major infiltration operations by the French from the Bartın-Ereğli line to Ankara with resistance. Captain Cevat Rifat Bey took an active role in the suppression of the Second Düzce Rebellion. Thus, it was prevented by the French from putting pressure on Ankara through Zonguldak and Bolu. Captain Cevat Rifat Bey made important contributions to the hijacking of the Alemdar Ferry from Istanbul to Anatolia in 1921. In addition to its military activities, the Bartın and Surrounding Command also fought active bandit in the area of responsibility. Apart from military activities, Captain Cevat Rifat Bey, who also contributed to the economic development of the region, led the construction of a six-classroom school along with a hospital in Çaycuma.

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