Turning Point - Death Wish at Cal Dagi, September 1921

The summer of 1921 had been the highpoint of the Greek advance into Turkey towards Ankara. The months of June and July had ripped the Turkish Army to shreds. Greek morale and support at home was high even without British and French support. The Greek Asia Minor Army, at this time, sat at a critical junction: halt their advance deeper into Turkey or go for the knockout blow by capturing Ankara, Turkey’s new capital. By capturing Ankara, the Greeks felt that Turkish opposition and Mustapha Kemel would collapse. The potential was there. Many of Mustapha Kemel’s opposition demanded and questioned his ability to command the Turkish Army, now shredded and reeling eastward across the Sakarya River to defend the capital. It was in the hills east of the Sakarya where the Turks made their last stand. It was do or die for them.

So dire was this that Kemel issued orders to shoot any Turk solider found fleeing from battle. For the Greeks, their long advance across the barren Turkish deserts towards the Sakarya, the issue was logistics. The supply depots were far away from the frontlines, trucks were used but roads were few. When the battle began in August, 1921, it was a brutal bloodbath for the hills east of the river. Every meter was a bitter struggle to seize or hold. Over 18,000 would die for the barren hills.

The Greeks advance was steady, one hill after another. However, serious logistical problems had now arrived by late August. Units were running out of ammo. There was little food. For the Turks, they had the same problems. In the end, the face-off on Cal Dagi (a mountain at 4500 ft.) near Haymana in early September with the Greek 1st, 10th, and 2nd Divisions. The ensuing battle saw the Greeks taking it by the 3rd. It was at this time both sides had a decision to make. For the Greeks, Ankara was just 35 miles away. For the Turks, do they retreat and make a last stand at Ankara or hold and retake Cal Dagi. The Greeks were tired and indecision led to no decision. For the Turks, it was "do or die" time. They decided to use their reserves to counterattack one last time. Enough was enough. The Turks sighed with relief. A disaster had been narrowly avoided.