Abstract:

The Ottoman Empire had to accept that it was defeated in the First World War by signing the Armistice of Mudros. After the armistice, the Allied Powers began invasions, citing their own security. So much so that the strategic and geopolitical points of Western and Central Anatolia became their first target. After the Greek occupation of Izmir, one of the places that experienced this invasion process most effectively was Afyonkarahisar. The city was at an important point, especially in terms of being at the junction of highways and railways. It was also in an important position militarily. Some of the ammunition belonging to the Turkish Army, which was reorganized at the end of the armistice, was also stored in Afyon. Again, the 23rd Division of the 20th Corps, headquartered in Ankara, was also here. Afyon was also among the places of duty of the 12th Corps in Konya. Therefore, all these reasons made the occupation of the city necessary for the Allied Powers. This location of the city attracted the attention of the Allied powers. Thus, British troops first came to Afyon to check the terms of the armistice. Later, on April 9, 1919, French and on May 21, 1919, Italian forces reached the city, respectively. Struggling with the most difficult conditions of the armistice, Afyon would experience the last Greek invasion. The main theme of this paper will be to reflect the occupation atmosphere in Afyonkarahisar, which is one of the cities that played an important role in the occupations that started with the signing of the Armistice of Mudros, from various aspects. In the study, the military intelligence report dated 25 August 1919, prepared by the Black Sea Army in Istanbul and submitted to the British General Staff, will be examined. The present report will also form the main material of the paper.