Liberation of İzmir

Capture of İzmir
Part of Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922)
The entry of the Turkish Army into Izmir. (77 cm × 53 cm, Museum of Ataturk and the War of Independence Museum)
Date 9 September 1922 Location Izmir, Ottoman Empire Result Decisive Turkish Victory Greek withdrawal from western Anatolia Armistice of Mudanya Great Fire of Smyrna
Belligerents
Grand National Assembly	Greece
Commanders and leaders
Fahrettin Altay	Aristidis Stergiadis
Strength
	40,000 (İzmir's Defense, 4 divisions)[1]

The Capture of İzmir (Turkish: İzmir'in Kurtuluşu) was the final phase of the Great Offensive and last conflict of the Turkish Independence War.^[1] After the Turkish Army inflicted heavy losses on the Greek Army at Dumlupınar, on 30 August 1922, Greek forces were constantly retreating towards İzmir as the Turkish Army's westward advance continued. On the eve of Turkish arrival, Greek forces left the city, and on 8 September, at ten o' clock in the morning, the Greek administration ceased to exist in İzmir.^[2] On 9 September 1922, the Turkish Army entered İzmir from the east (Kemalpaşa).

Legacy

9 September is considered a local holiday commemorating the Liberation of İzmir in the Province of Izmir, Turkey. Dokuz Eylül University (9 September University) is named in honor of the event. Mustafa Kemal (later Atatürk) who founded the Republican People's Party chose 9 September 1923 as the establishment date of his party as a reminder of the capture of İzmir.

References

1. Greeks surrender Smyrna to Turks after shell fire, New York Times, published September 10, 1922.
2. Karavasilis, Niki (2010). The Whispering Voice of Smyrna.