Battle of the Sakarya
1921 · On the Sakarya River near Polatlı (in present-day Ankara Province, Turkey) · World · Modern
The Greek army advanced on Ankara but, after about three weeks of fierce fighting along the Sakarya River, failed to break through and was forced to fall back to the Eskişehir–Afyon line.
Belligerents
Government of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey
- Commanders
- Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, İsmet, Fevzi
- Strength
- About 90,000 to 100,000
Kingdom of Greece
- Commanders
- Papoulas
- Strength
- About 100,000
Background
After World War I, Greece occupied the Smyrna region under the Treaty of Sevres and pushed into the Anatolian interior, seeking to force the national movement led by Mustafa Kemal (Atatürk) to submit. After winning the Battle of Kütahya–Eskişehir in the summer of 1921, the Greek army decided to strike directly at Ankara.
Course of the battle
- Advance on AnkaraThe Greek army advanced east across the waterless steppe, its supply lines stretching ever longer.
- Bloody fighting on the riverbanksFrom late August the two sides fought back and forth over the heights on the east bank of the Sakarya River, the Turks resisting step by step in a defense in depth.
- Greeks withdrawIn mid-September the exhausted Greek army withdrew west of the river, and the Turks went over to the counteroffensive.
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1921 |
|---|---|
| Place | On the Sakarya River, near Polatlı (in present-day Ankara Province, Turkey) |
| Result | The Greek army advanced on Ankara but, after about three weeks of fierce fighting along the Sakarya River, failed to break through and was forced to fall back to the Eskişehir–Afyon line. |
| Winner | Government of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey |
| Casualties | Casualties on both sides ran to tens of thousands (estimated). |
| Territorial change | The Greek army went from offense to defense; in August 1922 the Turkish army launched a general assault, and the Greek occupation of Asia Minor collapsed completely. |
Impact
The Battle of the Sakarya was the turning point of the Greco-Turkish War; it earned Mustafa Kemal the title "Ghazi". Turkey went on to win the war and found a republic, and Greece's Megali Idea collapsed.
See the world in 1921 on the map →