Abstract:

When Western Anatolia was occupied by Greeks, Akhisar was also exposed to occupation by the enemy as is the case with many Aegean cities. As a result, national resistance organization was found in Akhisar to ensure its salvation like other Anatolian cities. “Kuva-yı Milliye” which was established with the support of local people, had an important role for the defense of Anatolian cities until the establishment of a regular army. In this context, many National Struggle Commander struggled to ensure the formation of “Kuva-yı Milliye” in Akhisar. Celal Bey, Reşat Kayalı, Tirelizade İsmail Bahri Bey, Bakırlı Saçlı Efe, Selimzade Ali Şefik Bey, Murat Tolun, Halit Karaosmanoğlu as well as the other unknown patriotic personalities were among those people who contributed to “Kuva-yı Milliye”. In this article, Murat Tolun Bey who strived for the independence and the development of Akhisar are going to be focused upon. Murat Tolun Bey who lived between the years of 1890–1934, had worked as a National Struggle Commander in Akhisar Front which was consisted of two national battalions which are “Burunören” and “Koyuncuali”. Therefore; in this article, Murat Bey’s services to development of Akhisar and the independence of Anatolia during the years of National Struggle are going to be emphasized.

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