National struggle and Greek occupation in the northern districts of Denizli (Çal, Çivril and Bekilli) in the light of oral sources

The most dangerous of the occupations that started after the First World War, in which the Ottoman Empire was defeated, was the occupation of Izmir by the Greeks, in terms of its aims. After this invasion, which had a triggering effect on the Turkish nation, a harsh struggle began against the Greeks, who were rapidly spreading in the Western Anatolia region. In this process, very valuable figures who led the Turkish people, who resisted both through legal means and through armed struggle to protect their homeland, also came to the fore in the region. In the light of the torch of resistance lit by Denizli Mufti Ahmet Hulusi Efendi on the day Izmir was occupied, the districts of Denizli immediately participated in this struggle. This spirit of National Struggle, which we saw in the example of Çal Mufti Ahmet İzzet Efendi, spread throughout Denizli in a short time. During these difficult years, Denizli tried to resist with its available means against the Greek army, which was approaching Denizli from the direction of Aydın, and, on the other hand, heading towards the northern districts of Çal, Çivril and Bekilli. This resistance was not on its own, but was carried out in coordination with the Turkish Grand National Assembly Government in Ankara. In accordance with the decision taken by the Allied Powers at the Paris Conference, the National Struggle Movement carried out in Denizli, located at the intersection of the Greek and Italian occupation zones, is admirable. In particular, the support provided to the Turkish army fighting on the Western Front is extremely important, as is the resistance shown against the Greek troops heading towards Denizli via Uşak and occupying the northern basin of the Büyük Menderes River. The situation of the Turkish people, who had to partially emigrate and partially submit to these oppressions in the face of the atrocities and painful practices of the Greeks in the occupied region, is also extremely sad. Despite everything, it can be said that the Greek occupation process in the northern districts of Denizli, which was shaped in parallel with the course of the wars on the Western Front, where the real struggle took place, did not cause as much destruction as in the neighboring provinces of Uşak and Afyonkarahisar. Following the victory of the Turkish army in Dumlupınar on August 30, 1922, the local people were able to take a deep breath when the Greek troops retreated from the northern districts of Denizli in panic and left the region. Keywords: Western Anatolia, Greek Occupation, War of Independence, Denizli and Northern Districts, Menderes River, Mufti Ahmet İzzet Efendi