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- EPISODE 5- BEGINNING OF THE END
- USE PHOTOGRAPHS TOO.
- Don't worry, as soon as I get to Istanbul I'll have the book published.
The whole world should know his cruelty.
- They have damaged 24.000 pieces of rail out of 25.000 between Afyon and Eskisehir.
They destroyed all the bridges and stations.
They filled the waterholes with dirt.
They even destroyed the trees on both sides of the railway.
- The enemy is tearing out the rails in the east of Afyon to use the iron in their fortifications.
We need those railways. - Don't worry, we'll repair them.
- With who? How? With what?
How many railway engineers do you have? - One.
The first Turkish engine driver in on his way.
Would you like to see? - Really?
Go with God child.
Where are you going to find workers? All the men are under arms.
- We still have the women.
- Now that our friends are back from Malta we can gather up.
I'm glad General Ali lhsan accepted to command the 1st. Army.
Soon we'll retain control over the army. - We need Rauf Bey too.
- He's not one of us but he's devoted to the Sultan.
He might help. We'll have a meeting with Black Vasıf Bey tonight.
- We extended the fortifications. - Good.
We have propped the sides. The frontal part is ready too.
Shall we extend it downwards? - Yes, do it.
From a concentration area on the slopes.
Prop our shelters - Very well Sir.
- It won't take long. Thank you.
- He wants to keep his post, so he's playing with you saying he'll attack.
- Playing? - Yes.
I'm an officer too. We haven't attack in 300 years.
We were always defending, we can't attack now.
This is not a game, we need a trained and well-equipped army to attack.
- What are we going to do? - Here's what I thought.
I served my country on the expense of my honor.
Otherwise I would never work under the commander of Ismet.
He couldn't even aquip the army.
The army is so ruined it can't even take an offensive.
- This army created the Sakarya miracle.
- I didn't ask your opinion.
- General Ali lhsan inspected another division and was surprised.
He says "These men are a crowd of beggars with pistols in their hands."
"Most of them don't have water bottles, bags, bread sacks...
...blankets, shovels or gloves."
He talks about gloves when we can't even find sandals.
- He'll understand in time. How abouth the cavalry army-corps?
- General Fevzi wanted to see you.
- He told me you wanted to appoint me as the commander of the 2nd Army.
- Would you accept? - Of course, with honor.
- General lhsan refused the post because he is senior to Ismet.
- Strange. - We had to force him.
- This is not a period to think about ranks and seniority.
General Ismet has commanded the army since it was established.
I may argue with him but I won't be a problem.
- Thank you General.
- To the Commander of the 2nd Army General Yakup Sevki.
- The director of the intelligence office is here. He wants to see you
- Excuse me, I'll be back in a minute.
Yes Baki Bey? - I'm sorry.
- What is it?
- Zaharov's man has contacted our secret agents. He'll give us whatever we want.
He accepts to be paid after the war is over.
Istanbul is asking your instructions.
- We could make us of an opportunity like this but the price would be very high.
We're poor because we don't rob them.
They're forcing us to sell out our future.
Notify Istanbul.
Refuse the order and cut the contact.
We gave the Soviets 600 tons of grains in order not to be obliged.
- We 're planning to send you to Ankara as our new ambassador.
- We 're planning to send you to Ankara as our new ambassador.
- Would I be successful? - Of course, you are a diplomat.
The ambassdor of Azerbaijan Ibrahim Abilev is in Ankara.
He's good friend of Mustafa Kemal, he'll help you.
Ankara signed a treaty with France.
Here's what we need to know.
Did they succeed to divide the imperialists into two.
...or did they give up our friendship?
We have to be cautious.
I want you to go to Ankara at once and learn the truth.
We heard that opposition against Mustafa Kemal was getting stronger.
Minister of Defense General Refet has resigned.
- Something's going on in Ankara.
Even the men he had released from Malta are now against him.
- Wonderful.
- We can make use of this weakness by proposing a peace plan to Ankara.
- Have you prepared anything? - Yes.
- Good.
- General Karabekir doesn't accept the Ministry of Defense.
He says the Soviets are a little uneasy about the treaty we signed with the French.
He doesn't want to leave the eastern front at a delicate time like this.
- He's right.
- I thought of General Kazım and Fahrettin - Good idea.
- We'll nominate two cabndidates to the Assembly.
- Both are hard workers.
- Do you see the draft of the plan?
- It's too risky but we don't have a choice.
- Let's look at the map.
We can only win by a strategic raid because our effective force is much less than theirs.
- I think the best site for a raid is this point.
- His Highness the Sultan summoned me last night.
He requests his message to be conveyed to His Excellency Lord Curzon.
- Very well.
- The Sultan promises to leave the control of the Straits to the British.
...if we can sign a treaty right away.
The management of the land surrounding the Straits will also be rendered to the British.
The British may use both their own troops and the Turkish gendarmery.
This is his proposal, but... - Yes?
- This proposal has been kept secret even from my government.
We hope that His Majesty's Government will keep our secret untill a treaty is signed.
- You may trust the British Government.
- Thank you.
- Would you like to have some coffe? - With pleasure.
- Please sit.
I want to leave the protocol aside and talk friendly.
General Ali Fuat stated that the treaty we signed with the French disturbed you.
We have given a copy of the treaty to your predecessor.
And we showed the French the treaty we signed with the Soviets.
There's nothing to suspect, we're frank.
We want to disarm at once and go to work.
We want to be in peace with both the east and the west.
My people has deserved a happy and wealthy life as a civilized nation.
You have commanded an army during the civil war, you know what war is.
Soon I'll show and Abilev that we're ready to fight.
You'll see 200.000 men ready to die in order to give their nation a life worth to live.
If other nations insist on listening to the voice of power, I'll take the offensive.
Please believe me.
I pity the Greeks when I picture that doomsday.
But the British who have encouraged them don't have any pity.
Soon Yusuf Kemal Bey will go to London in order to explain our point of view.
I hope we can solve the problem without using weapons.
- Ankara wants to send their Minister of Foreign Affairs.
- They exhausted everything they had. Now they're going to beg for peace.
- I think so too.
We can start the peace talks after we conclude an armistice.
- That is the main point of our offer.
- The peace talks will last quite long.
- I think so. - Good.
Meanwhile, poor Ankara will either submit to our conditions.
...or will perish in poverty.
- They just listened to Yusuf Kemal Bey.
It seems they have a peace plan of their own, we have to be prepared.
- Black Vasıf says "This army cannot dare to take the offensive."
- He said "Our financial condition is not available to establish an independent state" at the Sivas Congress.
We have as many heedless people as heroes.
- You complain about everything without considering the conditions.
This is a veteran army sharing it's nations poverty.
- Ankara has wired the conditions for peace.
- Let everybody know.
We entrusted half of the army to your honesty and skills.
Don't forget that Good day.
- Izmir and the Straits would be governed by an international committee.
Edirne, Kırklareli and Gallipoli is given to Greece.
If we accept these conditions they will let the Greek army avecuate Izmir.
- A bitter joke.
They either want to wear us off with the hope of peace...
...or they want to present us as war-mongers to the world.
- Both possibilities are dangerous. - What shall we do?
- We 'll see to it.
It seems we'll have to fight.
I have been preparing for that.
- We are suffering the result of our dependence to Britain.
The Greek nation will not be satisfied with these conditions after suffering so much.
The British are playing with us as well as the Turks.
Our financial condition is not suitable to go on struggling.
My Government has decided to resign.
- Ankara replied and accepted our conditions for the armistice and peace.
But on the condition that the Greek army evacuated Anatolia before the peace talks started.
- An ingenious reply.
- If we accept this the Turks will start the peace talks having solved all their problems.
- And they will get whatever they want because we will have played our last card.
- There is only way out.
Going on with this deadlock untill Ankara falls and definitly refusing their proposal.
- According to the in coming messages they 're very close to the end.
- We refused the peace terms. - They were unacceptable.
- You want to continue the state of war so that Mustafa Kemal can keep his position as the Commander in Chief.
- Don't be absurd. The decision was made by the Assembly.
- I never agreed with it.
This problem can only be solved by politics, not war.
- Lf they obtain the majority we'll not join the voting.
- The Government propeses to extend the act of Commander in Chief three more months.
- I request permission to address.
The term of the act of Commander in Chief ends tonight.
Only a few hours are left, it's finished There's nothing to talk about.
Do we still need a Commander in Chief?
If we do, does he have to be Mustafa Kemal?
What will be his authority?
We can discuss this later.
But not in a secret sitting like this one.
We will discuss openly so that the whole nation will know.
We shouldn't hide the truth from the people.
Let's put an end to this comedy.
The General Should be in the Assembly.
We have highly skilled commanders who can handle war.
- Please Hüseyin Avni Bey.
- Where's the General? - He's sick.
- Last year the enemy had arrived before Sakarya.
We invested our chairman with full powers as Commander in Chief...
...and won a historical victory.
Now the whole world admits that the conditions are in favor of us.
- You're wrong, we're in a more dangerous situation.
- We are in a state of peace now, we don't need extraordinary precautions.
- What peace? - The enemy proposed peace recognizing our lawful rights.
- Then why don't they evacute Anatolia? - Lf they don't we'll make them.
- How? By using words?
- I still oppose this law.
I won't consent to turn over my authority once more.
I won't accept that could be anyone more able than the Assembly.
I can't imagine a man with higher thoughts than this Assembly.
But you miserables would rather hand down your power to a tyrant's grip.
This infamy will effect the whole nation.
Watch your words! Shut up! You're insulting the Assembly!
- Who do you think you are?
- Silence. Please.
- I think this law should be discussed in the open.
If General Mustafa Kemal's desire is to seize our right, this would only humiliate himself.
And we would be fools to let him do so.
- Vasıf Bey, Please.
- We don't have a right to defend this law, it had no military benefits whats over.
We haven't moved for nine months and we will not move.
- Lf this law is rejected, I'll resign - Me too.
- I left Istanbul just after my son was born. It's been two years, he must be a big boy now.
- When will they come to Konya?
- Very soon, I get excited when I think about it.
Is something wrong? - Yes General.
The oppsition didn't join the voting The law was rejected as a result of the lack of majority.
- Then Mustafa Kemal is no longer the Commander in Chief.
Did he ask for it? No.
The Assembly he establised demanded.
Was he defeated? No.
He gathered the whole nation under the flag of independence.
...and defeated the army that had become the toy of the imperialists.
He saved everything we regarded sacred.
A normal human deing would remember his services with gratitude.
The cost of politics should not be our fatherland.
- Ankara is divided. The end is near.
- Who knows?
- Lf you resign the crisis will grow deeper.
Please be patient and wait until tomorrow.
- But the majority seem determined.
- Nothing can be done in defiance of the Assembly.
I want to warn the Assembly once more before the voting.
- We tried to, but they didn't listen.
- They might insult you too.
- Minutes of the Assembly.
We'll leave you alone.
- Thank you. Good night.
- ıs it morning already? - You were sick.
- ı have to be ready. Lf we leave it at this point we'll have to oblige to the favors of the British.
If I cannot convince the Assembly today three years of bloodshed and suffering will have been in vain.
- We have the majority we are now in session.
- Why is the session closed? - I requested it. I'll address the Assembly.
- Let him speak!
- Those in favor of a secret session please raise their hands.
It is accepted. Please General.
- I couldn't join the session when the extension of the act of Commander in Chief was discussed.
But I read the minutes, studied the votes and acquired enough information.
Let's try to remember the day when this law was accepted.
The Greak army was about to march on to Ankara.
The Supreme Assembly was urged to take precautions to stop the enemy.
As a result I was appointed Commander in Chief with comprehensive authority.
I was the one who suggested that this law should end in three months.
It was extended three times untill now.
However there were members objecting to the title of Commander in Chief.
Those members have also caused this recent dispute.
I would not support the continuance of an unnecessary post.
Before I explain myself, I would like to refer to the speeches of some members.
Mehmet Salih Bey said "If his desire is to seize our right, we would be fools to let him do so.
I didn't ask anyone to give me this title.
On the contrary, I was forced to it.
Those members who oppose today...
...were urging me to accept the title and win a victory.
Forgive me for being frank.
But I was the one who worked hard to invest every one of you with extraordinary powers.
I had severe dispute with my friends and risked my life for this.
In short, the Assembly is my achievement.
Like everybody else, I would like to exalt my achievement, not insult it.
You have objected to this secret session.
Mehmet Şükrü Bey said "We shouldn't hide the truth from the nation holding a secret session like this one"
The Supreme Assembly is not an ordinary legislative authority.
It is a grand government because it is vested with executive power.
There's not one government on this earth that makes all it's decisions in the open.
Is it appropriate to discuss about the position of the Commander in Chief before the enemy?
Mehmet Şükrü Bet regarded this necessity as comedy.
But I think he is the comedian of this Assembly.
Hüseyin Avni Bey said " You miserables would rather hand down your power to a tyrant's grip"
- No, I didn't say that!
- Unfortunately they are in the minutes. - No, you're wrong!
Allow me! - Enough, you're not in a coffe shop.
- This is the Kaaba of the nation. Then show some respect.
If a man seizes a post and exercises powers not vested in him, he's called a dictator.
I was appointed to this post by an act accepted by the Supreme Assembly.
You haven't authorized me with your right to legislate.
My authority was limited to the army the Assembly may take it back anytime.
So what's the use of this agitation?
What are you trying to accomplish with these absurd pretensions?
Do you wish to restrict the army?
Black Vasıf Bey said " We haven't moved and will not move."
And some of you applauded this heedless fool.
I was not only sorry but ashamed as well.
Let's just keep this a secret.
Obviously even the opposition should be responsible.
Now, allow me to explain my point of view.
- They haven't finished yet.
- The proposal on the extension of the act of Commander in Chief...
...has been accepted by 11 nays, 15 refrains and 177 ayes.
- That was a close call.
- You know that the opposition is forcing the Minister of Finance to resign.
- I've heard.
We may have him elected to the Ministry of Economics.
I would like you to undertake the Ministry of Finance.
- But I don't know anything about finance.
- That's why we chose you.
Our financial condition is so bad that an expert would only complicate matters.
- Today at the Cabinet meeting...
- Today at the Cabinet meeting...
...we decided to borrow half of the people's savings as compulsory loan.
- How?
- They'll tear the banknotes in half.
One half will stay in circulation with half value.
The other half will be a treasury bond. We can collect 1.5 billion drahmis.
This was the only solution.
- General Papoulas resigned - Accept it.
- Who're you going to appoint to his post?
- Someone more brave and decisive...
For example, General Hacıanesti.
- I want to go to Ankara for a few days.
- My family will be in Konya this week. I wonder what the boy will do when he sees me. 32800:28:04:2000:28:06:02 -Urgent General.
- Impossible. - Is it bad new gain?
- The worst. General Ali lhsan is sending his men disguised as soldiers to some divisions to prpagate himself.
They tell the soldiers that only General Ali lhsan can save the country.
- He wants gains without pains like General Enver.
- I didn't mind him playing with me.
But I won't let him play with the army.
- General Ali Fuat didn't accept to be commander of the 1st. Army.
He claims that he's senior to General Ismet.
- We'll ask General Refet then.
- I will never forgive Ali lhsan.
- Let's not fool ourselves we can't attack.
Even if we do, the British will intervene at the very beginning.
I'd like to be excused.
- All right General.
- If we narrow our front in Anatolia our defense will be easier.
- But we shed blood to secure that front.
- This will prevent us from evacuating Anatolia.
- He's right. - We also have to reorganize the army.
First of all I'll discharge Pallis, Sarıyanis and the commanders of the army-corps.
However still, this problem cannot be solved in Anatolia.
- What do you mean? - It will be solved in Istanbul.
- How? Explain yourself.
- Talk to General Nurettin, may be he'll accept.
I'll leave for Adapazarı tomorrow. I'll take my mother and come back.
- Good, how is she?
- She got sick the day she heard I was condemmed to death She never recovered.
- She will when she sees you.
- I hope so Meanwhile, I'll inspect the units in that region. General Ismet will join me on the way.
- The Assembly is in session. - All right. Please.
- Attention!
- Izmir.
- The aircraft and trucks we purchased from Italy are on the way.
- And I managed to increase the number of the artillery to 320.
- Have you thought of a date for the offensive?
- I can only be ready at the end of August.
- It's be difficult to holt the Assembly.
- General Yakup Şevki is troubling me.
He thinks the final offensive plan is ton dangerous.
He suggests that we should give up the offensive.
- Find an excuse to gather all the commanders of the army and the army-corps.
I'll come secretly and talk to them.
What are they doing? - Repairing the railway.
- Who is the commander of this unit? - Colonel Plastiras.
- You're well-prepared. I like it.
But I heard you were interested in politics. I'm not like General Papoulas.
If you don't give up your interest you may find yourself behind the lines.
- Our group faces that dammed 11th division - They were very cruel to the local people.
- They are three times crowded than us. Send in reinforcements.
I'll be very sorry if this division escapes.
- The plan is definite, we can't even spare a battalion.
- Nesrin Hanım wants to be transfered to the front line. - Let her do as she pleases.
How are you Hasan? - Thank you Corporal.
- University students are boycotting the colonial intellectuals...
...like Ali Kemal and Rıza Tevfik who humiliate the national struggle.
- Don't let the British lay their hands on the children. - We're watching.
- General Tevfik's son wants to go to Anatolia too.
- He's Vahdettin's son-in-law.
- Let him come. - Finally the throne is resolving.
- He even threatened Plastiras. - Then he doesn't know him.
- Probably. Otherwise he wouldn't dare.
- How could they appoint a crazy man like him the Commander in Chief? Damn.
- Everyboady's asking for money.
I told them I knew nothing about special funds.
I just salaries.
From now on all the money goes to the army.
The other day Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defense came to visit me.
He ased for automobiles for all the commanders of the army-corps.
I said "Very well General, right away."
"The enemy has lots automobiles in Izmir, go and take anyone you like."
- I thought General Ali lhsan was a clever man.
He's waiting to be discharged instead of taking the offensive with his army.
- Not so loud.
They didn't appoint anyone else to his post.
- Of course, with pleasure It will be an honor to work with General Ismet.
- I walked around the entire front but didn't meet a commander called Mustafa Kemal.
I've changed my mind about narrowing the frontage. All the positions are in good condition.
Intelligence reports that the enemy only has 80.000 men and 200 artillery.
It would be unthinkable to take the offensive with such a weak army.
If they take a sham offensive we can repel it easily.
Tomorrow I'll leave for the Thrace.
I will address you from Istanbul in a few days.
Gentlemen, Athens has vested in me the authority I requested.
- We decided to take the offensive at the end of August.
- Really? Is the army ready?
- More than ever. Can you go to Europe right away?
- Of course, but why?
- I want you to warn the authorities once more. May be we can avoid the bloodshed.
But don't tell anybody about the offensive.
- They wouldn't believe even if I did.
- Athens just submitted a notice.
The Greek Government has authorized Hacianesti to march on to Istanbul with their formations in the Thrace.
- They must be mad. Let's go.
- I'd like to be there when General Ismet meets his soon.
Is something wrong?
- His family and I couldn't tell him until this day.
Unfortunately, a year ago, Ismet's son...
Everytime he talks about his son. I feel pain.
Yes, what is it Zamir Bey?
- The 2nd Grup issued an interesting bill of law.
- I just left for two days.
- This time they oppose to the rule of electing the ministers among the candidates you nominate.
They want their friend Rauf Bey to preside the Cabinet instead of General Fevzi.
- Do you know what this means?
- They want to remove you of active office.
- When the law was accepted in the Assembly, all of us resigned.
- When is the election? - In three days.
- We can only attain our goal with a Cabinet that believes in independence.
I'll give the Assembly a chance to state it's real opinion and conduct.
I too, have decided to resign.
- The government has submitted to the students pressure and dismissed our friends from the unıversity.
- No problem. Mustafa Kemal has come to an end. Ankara is boiling over.
- The majority insists on Rauf Bey.
- No problem, I'm more interested in the majority of the Cabinet.
- The former ministers were reelected except for two.
- In this case. I'll vote for Rauf too.
- The opposition is getting stronger.
- The extension for the law of Commander in Chief is due shortly afterwards.
- Don't worry, this time they won't object.
- The proposal for the extension of the act of Commander in Chief is requested to be discussued urgently.
I submit it to your vote. Those in favor?
The proposal is accepted.
- The law we are about to discuss was the result of a crisis.
The Supreme Assembly had vested some of its powers in me.
I thank the Supreme Assembly for your confidence.
Hoever our army has reached such a mental and material state that doesn't necessitate extraordinary precautions.
Therefore I believe that there is no need for me to exercise the powers of the Assembly.
The post may be fulfilled until we reach our national objective.
- The British Ambassador visited me today.
He stated that his government refused our proposal about the British control over the Straits.
- Why?
- The British Government doesn't want to make secret agreements independent of its allies.
- From now on, Ankara cannot be stopped.
- The Assembly extended unanimously Mustafa Kemal's term as Commander in Chief indefinitely.
- Could you find an excuse to gather all the commanders?
- I agrranged a football mach between the front headquarters and the army-corps.
They'll come to watch the game - I' II be there.
Did you go to Konya? - Yes.
- It seems the cavalry is going to win.
- Time has come for our commanders to hear the offensive plan.
First we'll explain the essence of the plan. Then we can discuss the details.
- We've been working on this plan for 10 months. The essence is to break down the enemy army in one blow.
To accomplish this, we shall secretly move the greater part of our units to the south of Afyon...
...across the enemy's 1st. Division. 47200:42:30:2400:42:34:24 The actual offensive front is Afyon and Çiğil Hill 40 kilometers to the west.
The 13-kilometer zone between Tınaz Hill and Kalecik Cone is the break through point.
While the 2nd army detains the enemy forces stationed across...
...the 1st Army will penetrate the enemy front and move on to the Sincanlı Plain.
Therefore, the enemy won't be able retreat as the road to Izmir will be cut.
After we encircle and destroy the enemy we can easily defeat the small units.
Because we will hold a stronger position than the enemy at every point.
I call this plan "Wolf Trap".
- I told my opinion to General Ismet before.
Now I'd like state it officially.
You think you can move 12.000 men from one end of the front to the other without letting the enemy notice.
This is impossible. The offinsive will lose its effect when the element of surprise is removed.
- Can't we make it? - I don't see why not.
- Impossible. When I move one battalion the enemy aircraft notices right away.
I had the Afyon fortifications examined We cannot break through this position in one day.
- 165 cannons will be firing at thet position.
- In any case, the troops will have to hold before those fortifications.
Meanwhile, the central reserve army-corps will join the fight.
Or they'll probably attack in the direction of Konya from the nort of Afyon.
They'll draw us back to south and keep away from Konya.
The road to Ankara will be free and that'll be the end of our army, our cause and probably our country.
- What do you suggest?
- We'll make a frontal attack and fight the enemy on equal conditions.
It they retreat we'll pursue.
If we can't force them to retreat we'll halt and prepare.
This way we won't risk the army.
- I agree.
- The General is right but we can't win the war this way.
- At least it's not dangerous. Even if we lose the war, we won't lose the army.
- We don't have factories to supply us.
It took us a whole year to balance our power with the enemy's.
We're almost exhausted I know it's dangerous.
But I don't think there's another way if we want to win this war.
- Neither do I.
- Don't think so too.
- This is all the Turkish nation possesses.
These are all the weapons, men, cannons rifles and ammunition we've got.
You are risking it by accumulating all in one point. I won't consent to this.
- Is this all that this nation can provide?
Then we'll have to fight with what we've got.
- Those who make this decision will have to undertake the responsibility.
- Don't worry. I will undertake all responsibility.
- My colleagues have freely stated their personal opinions.
But make sure that every ordr you give as the Commander in Chief...
...will be executed with great belief and loyalty.
- My generation has become too cautious because of the pains we suffered during the world war.
I'm not relieved of my worries but I will obey every order of the Commander in Chief.
- Thank you.
Now we can discuss the details.
- Fethi Bey has been in London for a week but none of the British authorities received him.
- Yesterday Lloyd George made a speech in the House of Commons that closed all the doors to the peace.
- We have no other choice than fight.
- Are the conditions suitable for an offensive? Some members of the Assembly think it is madness.
- What do you think?
- Lf the Government approves the army is ready for the offensive.
First Generals Fevzi and Kazım will brief you, then we'll discuss.
But I beseech you not ask the date of the offensive.
- The Cabinet has approved the offensive plan.
Starting at the night of August 14. We shall move the army-corps to the concentration points.
Secrecy is of utmost importance I will not forgive any mistakes about it.
- Last year the enemy started to move on to Sakarya on the same day
- This time they'll learn what offensive is.
- Ministry of Defense needs money again. - I send the last piastre to the front.
- I need 1.5 million liras more. - I don't have it.
- This was the reason why you were chosen for this office. You'll find a way.
- We have to detain two enemy army-corps of 100.000 men...
...untill the Army penetrates the enemy front.
- We will General. - How?
All I have is six weak divisions.
- Lf Salih Bey take the Kazucuran Hill on the first day of the offensive...
- Salih Bey' miserable division cannot even go near that fortified hill.
- There are two steep passes between...
...the Toklu Cone and the Çiğil Hill which the enemy leaves ungarded.
- The cavalry army-corps can go through these passes to the rear of the enemy before the front is penetrared.
- The treasury needs 1.5 million liras.
- These are difficult times, may God help you.
- You shall find the money.
- Impossible.
- You have 16 branches within the borders of the national government.
If you don't give me the money I'll confiscate all your branches.
...take all the money in your vaults and leave a receipt in return.
I'll give you an hour to think it over.
Go and think. We'll finish this business today.
- I understand. There's no need to think.
1million, was it? - 1.5 million.
- All right. - Today.
- Yes Sir, all right.
- I need to talk to you alone.
- Will you leave us alone please?
- I'll leave for the front in a few days to put an end to this business.
But I want to keep it a sevret so that the British won't come to the aid of the Greeks.
Will you help me? - How?
- After I leave Ankara, a tea party will be held at Çankaya.
A few days after you will announce taht you will give an official reception.
When the reception starts one of my men will come to you and tell you I won't be able to join you due my sickness.
This will earn me a few days.
- Agreed. - Thank you.
- Victory will be yours General He who defends his country is protected by the God.
- Welcome.
- We were about to attack but the French rejected.
If our Government had insisted Istanbul would have been ours now.
Any movement on the enemy front? - No, still dead silent.
- The budget commission called me to a meeting to brief them about the army
- Whatever they say, keep silent.
Don't say anything about the offensive.
I'll leave for the front tonight.
- May God grant you victory.
- See if my mother is available. I want to say good bye if she's awake.
- She'll finish in a minute.
- Don't let anybody notice that I'm not in Ankara.
I need a week.
- Come Mustafa.
My dearest.
Great God, Bless my son and our army and grant them victory.
- The Minister of Defense statters and the General is giving a tea party.
- I want to go on a summer vacation. I don't think there'll be a surprise.
- No, don't worry.
- The Greek National Bank has decided to open branches in the Western Anatolia.
The first one will be opened in september in Ayvalık.
- Any movement at the enemy front? - No. They are in the same order.
- We moved 3 army-corps to the south and the enemy didn't notice.
But our tranport columns are weak.
They will not be sufficient when the army starts to move on.
- We'll acquire our supplies from the enemy - lf you say so.
- Now you can issue a written order to the armies.
We shall take the offinsive on August 26. in the morning.
- Terminate all communications. Stop all the traffic at the ports.
Block all the roads and railways to and from Istanbul.
We'll be cut off from the world untill we're finished.
Don't let the enemy make any reconnaissance flights we have enough planes.
Generals, may your fight be blessed.
This morning an enemy soldier took refuge in my division.
He told me the Turks moved 3 divisions to the south of Afyon.
They have 2 divisions facing us.
5 divisions is too little to charge but too much to defend.
Let's make a reconnaissance flight.
- 11th Infantry and 7th Cavalry Divisions have secretly joined in the main offensive area.
A part of them will approach the exit positions tonight.
- Good, even if the enemy notice now, it will be too late.
- The Turks have new planes. I could hardly have a report.
Here are the old and new photographs.
We examined them, there's no difference.
- Yes it seems so.
- I think the enemy soldier was trying to deceive us.
- There'S nothing to keep me from going to the ball tonight.
- We are receiving contradictory messages from Istanbul. The enemy is about to charge Izmit or Eskişehir.
- Call everybody in!
What is it?
- Nobody came yet.
- Damn! The enemy was approaching our front while we were having fun last night.
Call everbody in, quik!
General Tricoupis is exaggerating. The front makes people sensitive.
Enemy planes are patrolling we can't fly our aircraft.
- The enemy radio are silent.
- They're trying to conceal their preparations.
We're trapped.
Alert all divisions.
Call the 7th Division of the
Keep the railway ready just in case. Send the wounded to Izmir.
- Turkish planes!
- This is the day we've been waiting for Wash up, we'll perform the evening prayers together.
We'll eat our bread, we'll bid farewell to each other and hit the road.
Come on boys.
- We carried your bread and ammunition without complaining.
We dug your trenches, built your road.
We cleaned your wounds and bandaged your broken bones.
We brought you water under fire.
Now, time has come to pay for the labor of these women.
If you don't protect your brothers...
...you'll not be worthy of your mothers, sisters and your loved ones.
- You may call me a traitor...
...if I get frightened and look back for one moment on the run for death.
May my blood be worthy of you.
- So long Lieutenant.
Attention. Turn left.
Shoulder arms.
Forward march.
- It seems the enemy is concentrating at the south of Afyon.
- That's your guess.
- You'll know that I'm right when the enemy offensive starts but it will be too late.
- Then tell me what you want.
- They succeeded to do what we couldn't in Sakarya.
If General Tricoupis and General Digenis should withdraw their army-corps.
...to the fortified position in Dumlupınar we might have a chance. Otherwise...
- Enough!
I saw their Afyon positions with my own eyes.
They can't even approach our lines.
ROAD TO KOCATEPE AUGUST 26,1922,03:30 HOURS