Ambassador Jeffrey Visits Sakarya Memorial

Ambassador Jeffrey Visits Sakarya Memorial

On January 17, Ambassador James Jeffrey visited the memorials to the great battle of Sakarya, west of Ankara.   This epic battle, fought for 21 days in August and September 1921 along a 100 kilometer front near the Sakarya River, marked the turning point in the Turkish War of Independence and prevented the Greek army from advancing on the new Turkish capital of Ankara.  The Ambassador first visited the Karargah Müzesi in Alagöz, the house that Atatürk chose for his field headquarters during the battle.  There, he wrote in the guest book: “The victory of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk not only gave birth to our ally, modern Turkey, but served as an inspiration for all who yearn for independence and sovereignty.”

Later, Ambassador Jeffrey visited the Sakarya Zafer Anıtı ve Müzesi in Polatlı; and the Duatepe Şehitlik Anıtı, the beautiful monument on the top of the first hill to be retaken by counterattacking Turkish troops.  The Ambassador was guided on his tour and provided an excellent account of the battle by Colonel Abdulkadir Koc and Major Erkan Oğulganmış, both of the Turkish Armed Forces Artillery and Missile School in Polatlı.

Visiting Fulbright Professor George Gawrych, who is doing research for a book on Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s transition from general to statesman during the Turkish War of Independence, also accompanied Ambassador Jeffrey on the visit.

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