ÇANAK(KALE) KRİZİ’NDE İNGİLTERE’NİN ASKERİ DURUMU


ÇAĞLAYAN K. T.

Turkish Studies (Elektronik), cilt.12, sa.9, ss.19-34, 2017 (Hakemli Dergi) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 12 Sayı: 9
  • Basım Tarihi: 2017
  • Dergi Adı: Turkish Studies (Elektronik)
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.19-34
  • Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Büyük Taarruz sonucunda Yunan ordusunun dünya tarihinde ender görülen bir hezimet ile Anadolu'yu terk etmesi Millî Mücadele Hareketini yeni bir aşamaya getirmiştir. 10 Eylül 1922 sonrası Türk ordusunun hedefi artık Yunanlılar değil Boğazlar ve İstanbul'daki İngiltere ve müttefikleridir. Osmanlı Devleti'ni paylaşım aşamalarının Bolşevik İhtilali neticesinde kısmen ama önemli değişikliğe uğraması sonunda Boğazlara yerleşmeyi düşünen İngiltere'nin bu isteğine sıcak bakmayan Fransa ve İtalya, Çanakkale'de İngilizleri Türk ordusu ile yalnız bırakmıştır. Bir taraftan sınırlı kuvvetleri ile savunma hazırlıkları yapan İngiltere diğer taraftan yeni müttefik arayışına girmiş, kolonileri ve Balkan devletlerini yoklamış, onlardan da yüz bulamayınca tekrar Fransa ve İtalya'ya dönerek Türklere karşı savaşa iknaya çalışmış, başarısız olunca maceraperest diye tanımladığı Mustafa Kemal Paşa ile masaya oturmaya mecbur olmuştur. Ancak 10 Eylül 1922'den 30 Eylül 1922'ye kadar geçen zaman dilimi içinde sıcak çatışma ile yüz yüze kalan ve yalnızlığa mahkûm olan İngiliz idaresi bu sürede meydana gelen süreci Çanakkale'yi Çanak olarak isimlendirdiği için "Çanak Krizi" olarak tanımlamıştır. Bu kriz esnasında her ne kadar Hükümet üyeleri arasında fikir ayrılıkları kendini gösterse de Kabine Türk ordusunun saldırması durumunda Çanakkale ve Boğazı savunmada kararlılık göstermiştir. Bu kararlılığın bir sonucu olarak Boğazın ve kentin savunulması konusunda geniş analizler yapılmış, muhtemel savunma hareketleri planlanarak bölgeye askeri kuvvet sevk edilmeye başlanmıştır. Ancak Mustafa Kemal Paşa'nın Paris notasında yer alan İstanbul, Boğazlar ve Doğu Trakya'nın Türklere verilmesi karşılığında ateşkes çağrısını kabul etmesi Mudanya Mütarakesi'nin imza edilmesiyle sonuçlanacak, bu netice Başbakan Lloyd George'un siyasi kariyerinin sonunu getirecektir
Because of a heavy defat suffered by the Greek Army at the hands of The Turkish Army, the National Struggle Movement came to new stage. After September 10, 1922, the Turkish Armies’ target was the Turkish Straits and İstanbul, so the British and her allies. Following the Bolshevik Revolution, the plans of partition agreements of the United Kingdom, France and Italy regarding Ottoman Empire fell apart. Since the British Government was pursuing İstanbul as her part, French and Italian Governments left Britain alone with the Turkish Army in Çanakkale. The British Government, on the one hand, engaged defense preparations with its limited military forces, on the other hand sought new allies, colonies and Balkan States. Yet, when it failed, the British Government was found itself communicating with Mustafa Kemal Pasha described himself earlier as a adventurer. This period from 10th to 30th September 1922, was called as “Çanak Crisis” since Britain was confronted by the Turkish Army and her allies left her alone. During the crisis, although Cabinet members had differences of opinion, the United Kingdom showed decisiveness to defend Çanakkale and the Dardanelles in the event of a Turkish attack. As a result of mentioned decisiveness, comprehensive analyses were prepared. With planning possible defence movements, troops were sent to area. At the end, Mustafa Kemal Pasha’s approval of an armistice invitation within the frame of Paris memorandum on condition that Istanbul, the Dardanelles, Bosphorus and East Thrace would be belong the Turks. With signing of the Armistice of Mudania, George Lloyd’s political career was coming to end. Britain's military status, the results of the defense strategy and applications in and around Çanakkale will be explained in this article in the light of the British documents.This article is about to examine British military position, defencestrategies, applications and consequences during ‘’The Çanak Crisis’’ inthe light of British documents. As a result of The Battle of Dumlupinar ,having been defeated Greek Army left Asia Minor with one of the biggestfails of world history, brought Turkish War of Independence to a newstage. After 10 September 1922, the aim of Turkish Army was not only towipe off Greek Army but also to reach the straits of Dardanelles andBosphorus through challenge Britain and her allies.In the wake of the Bolshevik Revolution, the partition agreementsof Ottoman Empire underwent partly but important changes so thatFrance and Italy left Britain in the lurch against Turkish Army becauseof these powers had not leaned towards Britain to settle the straits. Onthe one hand, making defence preparations Britain, on the other hand,attempted to gain new allies through demanding her colonies and Balkanstates. Having been refused Britain, to face France and Italy to convincethem to fight against the Turks. Failed British initiatives obliged Britain to make a deal with Mustafa Kemal Paşa, who was earlier defined as‘’adventurer’’ by the British Government. The British Administration wasunder risk to have hot conflict from 10 – 22 September in 1922. Thisperiod of time was considered as’’ The Çanak Crisis’’ so that Britishnames Çanakkale city as ‘’Çanak’’.The Article focuses on military and strategical aspects of the crisis.There are some studies already revealed political and governmental sidesof the Çanak Crisis. However, advancing of Turkish army towards thestraits made the British Government distracted so it tried to contact, onceagain, France and Italy to get support. General Harrington made an offerwhich was rejected by London included letting the Turkish Army to landany part of Thrace apart from demilitarized zone. London claimed thatwithout any formal treaty, this offer would encourage Turkish side andoutrage British honour.General Harrington gave orders to strenghten British defence lineover so much more Turkish troops. Following Allies transmitting toMustafa Kemal Paşa ‘’the 23 September 1922 Memorandum’’, Conferenceof Mudania was gathered. At this point, General Harrington’s policyevolved to avoid any kind of hot conflict with Turkish Forces. But BritishCommander was anxious that the Turks were eager to start conflict; toprevent this Harrington gave strict orders his soldiers and organised allplans to avoid from a provocation. In parallel with these measures, healso tried to evacuate British families to safe zone. Damaging of telegramlines by Turkish Nationalists showed Harrinngton’s actions were welldirected. London informed Harrington to stay in these four lines. a) To keephold of Gallipoli Penisula at all costs. b) To defend Çanakkale unlessmilitary forces are fully threatened. c) To evacuate Kocaeli Peninsula inthe event of strong attack d) To withdraw Istanbul at a push.Harrington’s wish was to conclude an agreement while Britain wassecuring its positions in Kocaeli, Çanakkale and Gallipoli peninsulas andthe United Kingdom flag waving in Istanbul.Afeter the defensive preparations, British forces had to secure theOttoman Christians who lived in West Anatolia and Thrace afterwithdrawing of Greek Army from Asia Minor. Local people tended tosupport the Kemalists and Ottoman gendermaries were firm, this wouldmake it harder. Refugees in neutral zone and outside should have beenconsidered. In case of need, full evacuation of the city had been planned;martial law and military control was determined. Colonel Shuttleworthordered on 15th September to gather all Christians who lived aroundÇanakkale and British citizens into Çanakkale.While Turkish army was advancing to Ezine and Biga, Britishaircrafts reported through aerial surveillance that the Turks had no aimto go beyond of Edremit. British soldiers gradulally withdrew fromSarıcalı then Erenköy. In septermber, two comprehensive memorandumswere worked out by General Staff, Royal Airforce comm