Second Battle of İnönü

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict = Second Battle of İnönü
partof = the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922)


caption = Greek advance towards Turkish line.unverifiedimage
date = March 26 - 31, 1921
place = near İnönü, Turkey
result = Turkish victory
combatant1 = Turkish revolutionaries
combatant2 = Greece
commander1 = İsmet İnönü
commander2 = Anastasios Papoulas
strength1 = 30,000 Fact|date=February 2007
strength2 = 37,000-42,000 Fact|date=February 2007
casualties1 = Unknown
casualties2 = Unknown

The Second Battle of İnönü took place in March 1921 near the Turkish village of İnönü during the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922). It marked a turning point in the Greco-Turkish War and the Turkish War of Independence of which it was a part, as Greek forces had previously been victorious over mostly irregular Turkish forces.

Background

Battle

The battle began with a Greek assault on the positions of İsmet's troops on March 26, 1921. The better-equipped Greeks pushed back the Turks and took the dominant hill called Metristepe on the 27th. A night counter-attack by the Turks failed to recapture it. On 31st March İsmet attacked again after receiving reinforcements, and recaptured Metristepe.In a continuation battle in April, Refet's forces retook the town of Afyonkarahisar.

Aftermath

While the battles marked a turning point in the war, following the battles of İnönü there was a stalemate, as the Turks had missed their chance to encircle and destroy the Greek army, which retreated in good order. There were heavy casualties on both sides, and neither side was in a position to advance.

References