A panel themed “The Turkish Nation’s Rebirth: The Great Victory” was held in collaboration with the Samsun Governorship, Samsun Metropolitan Municipality, Ondokuz Mayıs University, and Samsun University.

The panel, which took place at the Samsun Museum, was attended by Samsun Governor Orhan Tavlı, Garrison Commander Major General Davut Alâ, Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Brigadier General Mustafa Bakçepınar, Provincial Police Chief Ahmet Arıbaş, SAMU Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Salih Kesgin, SAMU Secretary General Assoc. Dr. Adem Soruç, OMU Rector’s Advisor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şener Şentürk, Provincial Director of Youth and Sports Feyzullah Dereci, and the people of Samsun.

At the panel moderated by Dr. Lecturer Selim Ahmetoğlu from Samsun University, Prof. Dr. Kaya Tuncer Çağlayan from Ondokuz Mayıs University delivered a speech titled “The Victory of August 30 and England,” while Prof. Dr. Mustafa Çolak from Samsun University presented on “The War That Ended All Wars: The Great Offensive.”

“Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Started the National Struggle from Samsun.”

During his speech at the panel, Prof. Dr. Kaya Tuncer Çağlayan, Director of the OMU Center for the Study and Application of Atatürk’s Principles and Revolutionary History, stated: “The 30th of August Commander-in-Chief Battle, whose 102nd anniversary we are celebrating, resulted in a great victory that shattered the Western powers’ plan to expel the Turkish nation from Anatolia. England and France, who sought to harshly punish the Ottoman Empire and the Turkish Nation for extending the war by four years by entering the war alongside Germany, aimed to implement their plans for a Greater Armenia in the east and a Greater Greece in the west through secret partition agreements they had signed. However, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the heroic son of the Turkish nation, relying on the nation’s deep-seated desire for independence, initiated the National Struggle from Samsun. Although many in Istanbul and the British labeled Mustafa Kemal Pasha and his friends as adventurers, they achieved the impossible by first organizing under the umbrella of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) and then forming a regular army.”

“The Offensive Plan Was Thought Out in the Finest Detail.”

Indicating that intense preparations were made against the Greek occupation forces, whose offensive power had been broken in the Battle of Sakarya, Çağlayan said: “This preparation, which lasted about a year, involved increasing the number of soldiers and officers, providing equipment, training, and deployment. The offensive plan was meticulously thought out, prepared, managed, and successfully concluded. Around 100,000 Greek soldiers stationed at Dumlupınar were largely killed or captured in the Field Battle, which began with artillery fire on August 26, 1922, followed by the fearless attacks of our cavalry and infantry. Their Commander-in-Chief Trikopis and high-ranking officers were captured. The remaining soldiers retreated in disarray from Afyon through Uşak and Aydın to İzmir, unfortunately burning and destroying everything in their path. By September 9, İzmir was under the shadow of the glorious Turkish flag. September 11 marked the liberation of Bursa, and the last Greek soldiers left Anatolia from Biga and Erdek on September 18, 1922.”

“A Success Story That Surprised the Whole World Came True.”

Continuing his speech, Prof. Dr. Kaya Tuncer Çağlayan said: “Mustafa Kemal Pasha’s order on September 1, 1922, ‘Armies, your first goal is the Mediterranean, forward!’ was quickly turned into a success story that surprised the entire world. With this great victory, the Turkish army had won against European imperialism for the first time in a long while. The defeat at Dumlupınar was not just for the Greeks, who were used as pawns, but primarily for the United Kingdom. The British Prime Minister Lloyd George, who persistently advocated for the division of Türkiye, was forced to resign. England and its allies had no choice but to recognize the new Türkiye and sit at the negotiation table as equals. The victory on August 30 vanquished Pan-Hellenism with the National Pact. The Greek King Constantine, who dreamed of a Byzantine revival and wearing the imperial crown in Hagia Sophia, faced the Asia Minor Catastrophe instead of victory and fled his country. The Greek Prime Minister Gunaris, the Commander-in-Chief of the Greek Anatolian occupation forces Hacıanesti, and four ministers were executed, and former Greek Prime Minister Venizelos was forced to leave the country.”

“The Notion That a Western Power Could Not Be Defeated by an Eastern Nation Was Shattered.”

This victory demonstrated that Gazi Mustafa Kemal Pasha was not only the savior of the Turkish Nation but also an inspiration to the oppressed nations of Asia and Africa. “The notion that a Western power could not be defeated by an Eastern nation was shattered. Mustafa Kemal Pasha was given titles such as ‘The Heroic Child of Islam,’ ‘The Champion of Islam,’ and ‘The Renowned Commander.’ With this victory, the final phase of the Turkish War of Independence was completed, and it was certified that Anatolia would remain a Turkish homeland forever. The sacred spirits of the Dumlupınar martyrs and the veterans' blood became the cement of our national unity and integrity. This victory heralded the foundation of the modern Republic of Türkiye, and Gazi Pasha became the recipient of unshakable leadership love. After this great victory, the Turkish nation, which the world wanted to bury in history, showed it was ready to shape the future with all its might. As a result of this victory, the Westerners no longer dared to invade Anatolia.”

Thanking the participants, Prof. Dr. Çağlayan concluded his speech: “I pay tribute and gratitude to Gazi Mustafa Kemal Pasha, Chief of General Staff Fevzi Pasha, Western Front Commander İsmet Pasha, 1st Army Commander Nureddin Pasha, 2nd Army Commander Yakup Şevki Pasha, Cavalry Regiment Commander Fahrettin Pasha, and all our commanders and soldier ancestors. I congratulate the Great Turkish Nation on the August 30 Victory Day. May their noble souls rest in peace!”