10 July to 5 August 1921
Kütahya and Eskişehir, the retreat to the Sakarya
The Greek army's full summer offensive opens on 10 July 1921 with superior numbers. Kütahya falls, then Eskişehir on 19 July. Mustafa Kemal orders İsmet to break contact and pull the whole Western Front back behind the Sakarya river. Mustafa Kemal gives up ground to save the army. Ankara prepares to move its government to Kayseri.
Greek troops in Eskişehir, July 1921Wikimedia Commons, Greek Army, Public domain (Dorylaio.JPG)
On 5 August the Assembly passes a law that makes Mustafa Kemal commander in chief and gives him the Assembly's own powers for three months. He issues the "national obligations" orders: each household must give the army a share of its food and cloth, and one set of underwear and a pair of sandals.
Parade of the Greek III Army Corps in Eskişehir, 1921Wikimedia Commons, Unknown author, Public domain (Eski-Séhir. Une filée du 3ime Corps d' Armée.jpg)
A Turkish heavy gun captured by the Greek army at Eskişehir, summer 1921Wikimedia Commons, Unknown author, Public domain (VARI-LAFYRO-ESKI.jpg)
Sources
- Andrew Mango, Atatürk (1999).
- Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Nutuk (1927).
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