Great Offensive

Part of the Greco-Turkish War (1919–22) and the Turkish War of Independence

Field Marshal Mustafa Kemal at Kocatepe

Date

26 August – 18 September 1922

Location

Western Anatolia (Afyon, Dumlupınar, Uşak, İzmir

Result

Decisive Turkish victory

Liberation of İzmir
Greek Army withdrawal from Western Anatolia
Armistice of Mudanya
End of the Turkish War of Independence

Belligerents

Grand National Assembly

Greece

Commanders and leaders

Strength

98,670 infantry
5,286 cavalry
323 artillery

130,000 infantry
1,300 cavalry
348 artillery

Casualties and losses

2,318 killed, 9,360 wounded, 1,697 missing and 101 prisoners
Total: 13,476

By 7 September:
50,000 (35,000 killed and wounded, 15,000 prisoners)
Total: 100,000

Decisive Turkish victory

The Great Offensive (Turkish: Büyük Taarruz) was the largest and final military operation of the Turkish War of Independence, fought between the Turkish Armed Forces loyal to the government of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and the Kingdom of Greece, during the Greco-Turkish War. The offensive began on 26 August 1922 with the Battle of Dumlupınar, and Turkish troops reached the sea on 9 September with the recapture of İzmir. It ended on 18 September 1922 with the liberation of Erdek and Biga. The Turks amassed around 104,000 men, the largest number since the beginning of the war, to begin the offensive on 26 August and drive the Greek army of over 200,000 men out of western Anatolia. A pursuit operation began on a 400-kilometre-wide (250-mile) front.

The Turkish units marched for 10 days (from 31 August to 9 September), covering a distance of 300 km (190 mi) while fighting Greek troops. The Turkish army lacked motorized vehicles; its forces consisted of infantry and cavalry units, and logistical support was provided by a supply system based on ox carts. Within two weeks, the Turkish army drove the Greek forces out of Anatolia. From 26 August to 9 September the Turks chased the fleeing Greeks 400 km (250 mi) to İzmir, which was later abandoned by Greek troops. The Greek occupation of Smyrna, which began in May 1919, ended on 9 September 1922 with the liberation of İzmir. The Great Offensive ended on 18 September 1922 with the liberation of Erdek and Biga.

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Wikipedia