Abstract:

Because of a heavy defat suffered by the Greek Army at the hands of The Turkish Army, the National Struggle Movement came to new stage. After September 10, 1922, the Turkish Armies’ target was the Turkish Straits and İstanbul, so the British and her allies. Following the Bolshevik Revolution, the plans of partition agreements of the United Kingdom, France and Italy regarding Ottoman Empire fell apart. Since the British Government was pursuing İstanbul as her part, French and Italian Governments left Britain alone with the Turkish Army in Çanakkale. The British Government, on the one hand, engaged defense preparations with its limited military forces, on the other hand sought new allies, colonies and Balkan States. Yet, when it failed, the British Government was found itself communicating with Mustafa Kemal Pasha described himself earlier as a adventurer. This period from 10th to 30th September 1922, was called as “Çanak Crisis” since Britain was confronted by the Turkish Army and her allies left her alone. During the crisis, although Cabinet members had differences of opinion, the United Kingdom showed decisiveness to defend Çanakkale and the Dardanelles in the event of a Turkish attack. As a result of mentioned decisiveness, comprehensive analyses were prepared. With planning possible defence movements, troops were sent to area. At the end, Mustafa Kemal Pasha’s approval of an armistice invitation within the frame of Paris memorandum on condition that Istanbul, the Dardanelles, Bosphorus and East Thrace would be belong the Turks. With signing of the Armistice of Mudania, George Lloyd’s political career was coming to end. Britain's military status, the results of the defense strategy and applications in and around Çanakkale will be explained in this article in the light of the British documents.

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