2nd Battle of İnönü and Air Operation on the 101st Anniversary

Situation after the 1st İnönü War:

The Greeks, who were defeated in the 1st Battle of İnönü, attacked with the encouragement of the British in order to compensate for the defeat, not to allow the strengthening of the national army, and to punish the GNAT Government, which did not accept the peace proposals in the London Conference. The Greek army aimed to seize the railway transportation by taking Eskişehir and Kütahya and to reach Ankara and have the Treaty of Sèvres accepted by the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

Aircraft Status Before the 2nd Battle of İnönü:

The 2nd Battle of İnönü was one of the important stages of the National Struggle, Turkish aviation participated in the war with a very small number of aircraft and a limited number of aircraft were used at the front. After the 1st Battle of İnönü, the repair of the planes was dealt with and the reconnaissance plane at hand was repaired, two planes captured from the Greeks as trophies, two fighter planes out of maintenance and two more fighter planes were made ready for war. Two planes were purchased from Italy and donated to the Air Force by the patriotic businessman from Erzurum, Nazif Kotan, and in this period, an important example of donation planes was experienced in the history of aviation. The plane was wanted to be brought to Eskişehir by flight over İnebolu and Akçaşehir from Istanbul, it was decided to prepare a landing field in Akçeşehir and to put Turkish signs on the plane. However, the transfer of the plane to Eskişehir took a long time, the plane first landed in Bolu, it was not possible to participate in the operation due to the breakage of the landing gear and propeller during the test flight.

How the 2nd İnönü War Started:

The 2nd Battle of İnönü, in the morning hours of 23 March 1921, with all the negativities and impossibilities; It started with the 3rd Greek Corps attacking from Yenişehir-İnegöl direction and the 1st Greek Corps from Dumlupınar-Afyon direction. On March 23, 1921, at 13.30, Western Front Commander İsmet İnönü, whose headquarters was in Pazarcık; In the message he sent to the Air Force Branch in Eskişehir; “Today, on March 23, 1921 at 09:30, the enemy is advancing from the Yenişehir, İnegöl highways and the land between the two roads. It was requested from the 1st Aircraft Squadron to quickly gather information about the enemy's Air Force status and movement by flying a suitable aircraft.

Thereupon, on March 23, 1921, at 15.00, Svl.Plt.Hasan Fehmi and Rasıt Lt. Hasan Basri from the 1st Aircraft Squadron in Muttalip Square took off for the reconnaissance flight, but the aircraft returned due to engine failure and therefore reconnaissance mission failed.

Subsequently, Plt.Astsb.Vecihi Hürkuş took a mission flight within 40 minutes, saw the marching arms of the enemy forces during the reconnaissance on the Yenişehir-Bilecik and İnegöl-Pazarcık roads, and attacked the troops with bombs and machine guns. On March 24, 1921, Vecihi Hürkuş bombarded the Greek enemy forces advancing on the Yenişehir-Söğüt-Bilecik-İnegöl road during his reconnaissance flight and fired them with machine guns.

In the 2nd Aircraft Company; Experienced and successful aviators Plt. Lieutenant Fazıl and Lieutenant Halil Ziver served, participated in the operation with a single plane during the war and did not fly in the first two days of the war on 23/24 March 1921. During his reconnaissance flight on 25 March 1921, Captain Fazıl determined that a Greek regiment was resting around Dumlupınar-Düvertepe and that there was a cavalry marching branch on the Uşak-Paşacık-Dumlupınar road. At around 11:00 on 25 March 1921, Plt.Astsb.Vecihi from the 1st Aircraft Division announced that the enemy's force on the Hamamlı Domaniç road; While preparing for the reconnaissance flight to determine the class, amount and head of the arm, information came to Eskişehir that two Greek planes were approaching. He took off to avoid the plane, and returned because his engine failed. Born in Yemen, Plt. Üt. Hasan Fehmi took off to prevent Greek planes after the malfunction of the plane was fixed, the plane crashed on its way back to the square due to engine failure after takeoff and became the second air martyr of the National Struggle.

Condition of Turkish Aircraft:

Vecihi Hürkuş in his memories; “O, we grappled with makeshift planes in holy cause. We were stretching the wing cloths that were rotting on the ground and torn in the air with a material made from a mixture of leg gelatin and starch, and made them fly.”

Flights on 26 March:

On March 26, 1921, Lt. Halil Ziver arrived in Eskişehir with a fighter plane from the 2nd Aircraft Squadron on 27 March in order to reinforce the 1st Aircraft Squadron. The purpose of this transfer was realized because the enemy troops were very close to Afyon, but Afyon was occupied shortly after this transfer. On March 26, 1921, in the discovery of Plt. Lieutenant Fazil from the 2nd Division; He determined that there was no Greek unit on the Afyon-Altıntaş-Dumlupınar roads, but that a Greek marching column entered Sinan Pasha at 10:00, and another branch was marching between Karaköse-Çiftlik. Again, at 11.45 am on the same day, in the discovery of Lt. Halil Ziver; The cavalry leaders of the Greek forces advancing towards the Turkish positions in Balmahmut came between Küçükhöyük and Sinan Pasha, 3-5 km. He stated that there was an artillery battery and 2 cavalry divisions next to the marching column composed of various units. Again, it was seen that the Greeks were advancing towards the Sinan Pasha-Saraylık-Balmahmut-Köprülü line with 2 infantry divisions and 1 cavalry regiment. During the reconnaissance at 16.00, it was determined that the Greek troops were approaching the Turkish positions south of Örenköy.

27 March Flights:

On March 27, 1921, Lt. Halil Ziver stated that the Greek forces were advancing towards Sinanpaşa during the reconnaissance flight and that the Greek troops approached the Turkish troops around Örenköy during the reconnaissance at 16:00 on the same day. Plt.Astsb.Vecihi, on the same day in the reconnaissance flight in the Söğüt region; 1 camp with tents and 2 battalions to the north of Söğüt, 1 infantry regiment to the south, 1 company of Greek troops and 15 km from the fountain position. He determined that there was a marching arm of 2 squadrons in the east. On March 27, 1921, Captain Fazıl stated that 1 Greek artillery battery and 2 cavalry companies were advancing in the direction of Afyon-Altıntaş, that at 09:00 on the same day, these units came to Çatalçeşme level and 2 Greek companies entered Balmahmut station. It has been reported that Greek artillery has arrived in the Büyükçorca region, its troops are approaching Afyon and the city is in danger.

28 March Flights:

On March 28, 1921, the 2nd Aircraft Squadron was transferred to Eskişehir with Plt. Lt. Halil Ziver in order to prevent the only aircraft in the inventory of the 2nd Aircraft Squadron from falling into the hands of the enemy. On the same day, Vecihi was 1 km from Söğüt in the exploration. north; two battalions and tent camp, 1 km. In the south, it was stated that there was a battalion and a regiment camp in the marching column hidden by the roadside. In the afternoon of March 28, 1921, Lt. Halil Ziver discovered that approximately 50 Greek transport vehicles were moving in the direction of Karaköy between İnönü and Bozüyük, and that a Greek battalion headed westward was on the march in the north of the Düzdağ Hill ridges and in the valley. .

29 March Flights:

On the afternoon of March 29, 1921, Plt.Assb.Vecihi reported that there were battle trenches in the northeast of Bozalan with his reconnaissance flight over the İnönü battlefield. On March 30, 1921, Lt. Halil Ziver, during his reconnaissance flight in the direction of Bozüyük-Çepniyörük, at 12:22, 2 km from Kızılcapınar. In the distance, the portable tented camp and approximately 300 Greek cavalry entering Bozüyük were identified. At noon on March 31, 1921, Plt. He stated that in Vecihi's exploration in the direction of İnegöl-Bozüyük-Yayla and Bozüyük-Söğüt-Gündüzbey, 1 Greek battalion was resting on the northern ridges of İnönü. The attack of the Greek Forces, which started on March 23, 1921, lasted for 1 week, and during the afternoon reconnaissance on March 30/31, 1921, it was determined that they withdrew to Dumlupınar positions.

Second İnönü Victory:

Vecihi, on April 1, 1921 at 14.20; He found that a convoy of 60-70 trucks was resting in Gündüzbey and was pulled north from the tomb of Ertuğrul Gazi with scattered walking arms and weights on the Bilecik highway. He stated that there were many Greek soldiers and transport vehicles at Bilecik Station. He stated that the Greeks were definitely withdrawing under the auspices of strong rearguard units reinforced with machine gun detachments on the right and left flanks. After the reconnaissance flight, the information and good news that the enemy was retreating, the second important victory of the National Struggle, was reported to the troops by the aviators. On the reconnaissance flight on April 1, 1921 at 14:45; It was observed that the Greek forces were withdrawn in successive intermittent groups, and upon this information, İsmet İnönü sent a telegram from Metristepe to Atatürk; “The enemy has left the battlefield filled with thousands of dead to our weapons.” He declared the defeat of the Greek army.

Flight Activities After the Second İnönü Victory:

The Western Front Commander İsmet İnönü, who came to Eskişehir, expressed his satisfaction with the army and the aviators and congratulated him. Atatürk, in his historical response to İsmet İnönü; “In all history, there are few commanders who have undertaken a task as heavy as the one you undertook in the İnönü Pitched Battles. You defeated not only the enemy, but also the bad luck of the nation.” He expressed his happiness at the joy of victory.

On April 10, 1921, Western Front Commander İsmet İnönü was assigned to the 61st, 24th and 1st Division Commands; “On April 11, 1921, if the weather permits, our plane, purchased from the Italians, will be brought to Eskişehir from Bolu. It is likely that the aircraft will have signs of the Entente Government. I request that an accident not occur.” sent a telegram.

On April 11, 1921, the Greeks evacuated Afyon and withdrew to Dumlupınar positions. The 2nd Aircraft Squadron, together with 1 fighter plane, was transferred from Eskişehir to Afyon again, and started its flights on April 13, 1921. In his 2 reconnaissance flights; It was stated that between Büyükoturak Village and the train station and around the village, 2 Greek infantry regiments and a 40-car transport branch, and two infantry companies were marching in the direction of Banaz. On the 2nd flight, 15 km on the Oturak-Islamköy road. In a field, the camp and car arms were seen and machine gun fired. On April 15, 1921, at 09:45; A camp was found between Oturak and Karakose, where the tented camp in Oturak Village was moved behind the ridges to the west of the village.

On April 17, 1921, in 2 aerial reconnaissance; It was stated that a new Greek position was prepared on the road from the northeast of İslamköy to the south of Paşacık over Kaplanlıdağ, and a Greek army of 2 regiments was established behind the positions and a Greek camp was established around Uşak Station. Commander of the Southern Front, Refet Bele, in the article with the warning "Cannot be postponed"; In order to follow the enemy movement that started in the south, it was requested to make reconnaissance flights from the planes under the command of the Western Front over the Sinanpaşa, Dumlupınar, İslamköy and Uşak regions. Plt.Astsb.Khalil on 19/20 April 1921, 2 aerial reconnaissance on 3 and 7-8 May 1921; It has been reported that there is no new movement and activity of the Greeks in the Dumlupınar-Afyon-Uşak region. In the discovery on May 12, 1921; It was stated that the number of Greek troops in İslamköy increased, a division was gathered around Hasanköy, the camp of 1 division and range tents were set up in the west of Uşak. Due to the fact that Afyonkarahisar Airport was far from the operation area, the 2nd Aircraft Squadron, which was reinforced with 1 reconnaissance and 2 fighter planes on May 15, 1921, moved to Kütahya Square in the Porsuk Stream-Zivra Village and started exploration in the Altıntaş-Dumlupınar-Uşak region. has begun. The company carried out reconnaissance flights in Altıntaş, Dumlupınar and Uşak regions with 1 reconnaissance and 2 fighter planes in mid-May.

On 13 June 1921, the 2nd Aircraft Company Commander Plt. Captain Fazıl announced that three planes were ready to fly and that they would fly according to the weather conditions, and that if the weather was bad in Kütahya, a team of 5 people would be sent to Afyon to take advantage of the aerodrome. On June 19, 1921, Captain Fazıl discovered; 10 km from Uşak. It is stated that the Greek battalion set up camp with tents in the north, large tents on both sides of the station and a regiment headquarters between Kızılca-Iksag Village on the Islamkoy road. A tented camp with the power of two regiments in Derbent and a camp with supplies in Banaz were identified. The 1st Aircraft Squadron was transferred to Kütahya due to the fact that the square in Eskişehir was under the influence of the floods in the Porsuk Stream from time to time. On 20 June 1921, by the order of the Western Front Command, the 1st and 2nd Aircraft Divisions were temporarily merged and renamed as "Mertep Squadron (Combined Squadron)" and Plt. Lieutenant Fazıl was appointed as its commander, consisting of 2 reconnaissance and 3 fighter aircraft.

Summer Term Flight Activities:

On 21 June 1921, it was stated that a Greek fleet consisting of 7 aircraft was approaching in the direction of Kütahya. Captain Fazıl took off with a fighter plane and encountered 7 Greek planes in Altıntaş region, 4 Greek planes did not engage in air combat and returned. Yzb. of 3 Greek planes. Despite Fazil's attack on his plane, he heroically opened fire with 2 machine guns, and the planes managed to escape thanks to their high speed. Plt.Lzb.Fazıl received the 2nd veteran certificate with his successful prevention of the Greek 7 aircraft's operation and experienced the 2nd major air battle of Military Aviation. The operation by the Turkish planes attracted the attention of the Greek soldiers and they suffered many casualties due to the fact that they came out of their trenches and watched the planes. Therefore, the Greek camp gave an order and prohibited the Greek soldiers from leaving their trenches to watch the Turkish planes. On June 29, 1921, on the return of reconnaissance, the pilot was making a forced landing because the engine of the plane stopped on Pazarcık and the blade has been damaged. After the landing maintenance repair was completed, it was sent to Polatlı.

On 3 July 1921, the 1st Aircraft Company Commander Captain Mehmet Nuri stated to the Western Front Command that the plane was ready for flight, but that it had no gasoline other than the gasoline in its tank. Plt. On July 4, 1921, Hayrettin intercepted a branch of 4 Greek planes approaching Kütahya Airport.

Evaluation of the Second Battle of İnönü in terms of Air Operations:

In the 2nd İnönü War; The 1st Aircraft Squadron was formed with 2 reconnaissance and 2 fighter aircraft, but carried out air operations with a single fighter aircraft. Because 2 reconnaissance and 1 aircraft were not used effectively, the pilots successfully performed 9 reconnaissance and bombardment missions with 1 or 2 fighter aircraft. The 2nd Aircraft Company performed 6 reconnaissance and bombardment missions with only 1 fighter plane. Combined Front Aircraft Squadron; He made 26 reconnaissance and 1 bomber and 2 interceptor flights in the July-August period with 4 aircraft, 5 pilots, 9 passengers and 3 mechanics. Lieutenant Fazil 7, Plt. Hayrettin entered air combat against 4 Greek aircraft. In this war; 2 planes, 2 Plt. and air squadrons, despite the loss of 1 man; He provided useful information to the army with reconnaissance flights made under difficult conditions, bombed the enemy and successfully fulfilled the task of deterring the enemy with his machine gun attacks. The importance of this operation was that Turkish aviation, whose experience has increased, reached the ability to work in coordination with the land elements.

Atatürk's Congratulatory Telegram:

The 1st and 2nd İnönü Victories on the Western Front had a very important place in the history of Turkish Aviation. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk expressed this thought to İsmet İnönü; “In the entire history of the world, there are very few commanders who have undertaken a task as heavy as the one you took in the İnönü Field Battles. The independence and existence of our nation rely on the sensitivity and patriotism of our commanders and comrades, who honorably perform their duties under your supreme leadership. The whole country, together with our unfortunate lands under invasion, celebrate your victory today to its most remote corners. The enemy's ambition to invade was shattered by slamming his head against the crag of your tenacity and patriotism. There, you defeated not only the enemy, but also the unfortunate fortune of the nation.” The regular army proved itself and gained the trust of the nation.

Conclusion:

It increased the power and authority of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and abroad, and moreover, the Turkish army gained the upper hand against an army stronger than itself. This victory increased the faith and morale of the Turkish nation. The French and Italians began to withdraw from Anatolia. With the victory in the İnönü Wars, it was adopted by the enemy, who covets the independence of the nation, and the Istanbul Government, which was in despair, and made the Allies accept their existence. The advance of the Greek army was stopped and precious time was created for the Turkish army to recover itself. Turkish aviators gave great support to the struggle and became an important part of the struggle for independence. In the discoveries made in July; It has been evaluated that the Greek mass has increased, a large force is gathering in the Uşak and Bursa-İnegöl regions, and that the enemy will take an attack by acting in an important movement. After the defeat in the İnönü Wars, the Greek army started the preparations for a new offensive in order to restore its reputation against the Entente Powers.