Samsun clashes (1920)

Samsun Clashes
Part of Anglo-Turkish War, Franco-Turkish War and Pontic uprising
Date1920
Location
Result Turkish victory
Belligerents

Turkish National Movement

United Kingdom United Kingdom

  • Australia Australia
  • New Zealand New Zealand

French Third Republic France


Pontic Rebels[1]
Commanders and leaders
Mustafa Kemal Pasha
Topal Osman
Şefik Avni Pasha
Unknown
Units involved
15th Division[2]
Strength
1 division United Kingdom 200[2]
Australia 150[2]
French Third Republic 700+[3]
Most of the Greeks in Samsun[2]
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

The Samsun Clashes were military engagements during the Turkish War of Independence that resulted in a victory for the Turkish forces.

Background

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After the Armistice of Mudros, British and French forces invaded Samsun on March 9, 1919. Following the British, the ANZAC forces arrived and were stationed at the site of the present-day Samsun Atatürk Anatolian High School. On February 1, 1920, as residents gathered in front of the Samsun Şehremanet building to protest the occupations, Greek forces, who were celebrating the arrival of American warships and additional land troops at Samsun Port, occupied the Şehremanet building.[4]

Clashes

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Şefik Avni Pasha, who arrived in Samsun on May 7, 1920, assumed command of the 15th Division. The division was rearmed with support from the Grand National Assembly. Once rearmed, the 15th Division engaged in conflicts with British, French, and Pontic forces.

Aftermath

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Following the clashes, British and French forces withdrew from Samsun.[2][3][5] Subsequently, Turkish forces made gains against the Greek rebels.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Bozdağ 2009, p. 30.
  2. ^ a b c d e Sarısakal 2002, p. 27.
  3. ^ a b Nutku 1962, p. 23.
  4. ^ Bozdağ 2009, p. 53.
  5. ^ Bozdağ 2009, p. 43.
  6. ^ Atatürk, Mustafa Kemal. Ordu ile İlişki. kulturturizm.gov.tr. 9 August 2011.

Sources

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  • Sarısakal, Baki (2002). Bir Kentin Tarihi:Samsun. Samsun: Samsun Valiliği. ISBN 978-975-585-289-8.
  • Nutku, Emrullah (1962). Yakın Tarihimiz. Istanbul.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Bozdağ, İsmet (2009). Nutuk Öncesi Atatürk Konuşuyor. Istanbul: Truva Yayınları.