Following the initial landings, the Greeks sought to strengthen their position by pushing into surrounding territory. The Hellenic Army of Occupation in Izmir was renamed the Occupation Field Army of Asia Minor in December 1919. The Greeks were supported by the British, who supplied naval, land and air power, and by the Kuvâ-i Inzibâtiyye (Forces of Order), an Ottoman force established to counter the Türk Ulusal Hareketi (Turkish National Movement).
Reinforcements were dispatched to Smyrna, and by May 1920 the Greek force totalled 3,248 officers and 91,063 men. Initial moves were made the same month: the Kuvâ-i Inzibâtiyye attempted to seize Geyve and Izmit but were repelled. Nevertheless, they dug in outside Izmit while British troops acted in support. The following month, Turkish forces attempted to drive back the Kuvâ-i Inzibâtiyye but, in the face of British naval and airpower, failed to do so.
The British and Greeks then planned a new offensive, the latter needing little encouragement to advance into the southern coastal area of the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean Region. The Greeks viewed this region as their historical lands.
This story is from the Issue 109 edition of History of War.
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This story is from the Issue 109 edition of History of War.
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