Last Tuesday (30th August) was Victory
Day in Turkey, commemorating the last major battle of the Turkish War of
Independence. This period of history, as
the Ottoman Empire dissolved and the Turkish Republic was established, is
something most of us know little about - though Britain actually played a major
role in it! So here is a ‘potted history’.
The Ottoman Empire sided with Germany in World
War I and following its defeat signed an armistice agreement with the Allied forces of Britain, France and Italy that
allowed them control of a few strategic positions and the right to occupy “in
case of disorder”. They promptly moved
in and occupied large parts of its remaining territories, including Istanbul
(then Constantinople), the eastern areas and the Southern front. They also supported Greece in its invasion of
Izmir.
Ataturk, whose picture you see in every office
and on every bank note and who was already a distinguished soldier, established
the Turkish National Movement with his colleagues and led the resistance to the
occupation. Although he went on to
become the first president of the new republic, it is for his role in saving
the ‘Motherland’ from invaders that he is most revered!
After more than 3 years occupation, on August
30 1922, the Greek military was beaten by the Turkish forces. By the way, in response to Turkey’s attempts
to restore rule in the Allied-occupied territories, the British Prime Minister
at the time, David Lloyd George, called for Britain to go to war with Turkey in
September 1922. Thankfully, France and
Italy and even the British military were against it and a negotiated settlement
was agreed that gave Turkey the territory it wanted. Lloyd George’s mishandling of the situation led
to his political downfall.
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| 1921 Ataturk inspecting soldiers |
Back at Poppy apartments, we had a good Turkish
night this week. The belly dancer was
assisted by a lovely group of girls.....
.. and the musicians – fresh from playing at a marriage
proposal (she said yes apparently) – played some traditional music.
There was another marriage proposal on the boat
we went on yesterday – it seems to be catching!
The captain wanted to surprise his girlfriend so he had a big banner
made that basically popped the question and got the boys on the neighbouring
boat to unfurl it while she was swimming in the sea. She also said yes – I wonder if he would have
driven off and left her there otherwise?
And that’s the other news – I had Monday off
and went to the beach (first time this year) and was on a mini boat trip on
Saturday afternoon. It’s almost like a
holiday! Got to grab it while I can – there
is another Eid holiday next week so there will lots of Turkish guests around,
as well as all the September regulars and the boys will be disappearing off to
school/uni in the middle of the month and then I will be on my own again: chef,
receptionist, barmaid, waitress and pool boy?!
