United States during the Turkish War of Independence

During the First World War, Ottoman Empire and United States sided in different sides, but they never officially declared war on each other. However, American ships carried weapons for the Entente during the Gallipoli campaign.[1]

A ceremony in Bandırma involving Greek and American flags.(July 1920).

After the First World War, the Ottoman Empire was defeated and the Armistice of Mudros was signed. Entente requested Istanbul, Marmara Region and Greater Armenia to be under control of an American mandate.[2][3] Some Turkish communities even defended idea of whole Anatolia being controlled by United States.[3]

United States reportedly helped the Entente during Turkish War of Independence. American aid included but wasn't limited to logistic support. USS Arizona and 3 other American ships provided protection to the Greeks during Greek landing at Smyrna.[4] In 7 June 1922, Greek battleships (including Georgios Averof) and the American battleships USS Sands, USS McFarland and USS Sturtevant bombed Samsun to help the Greek rebels in region.[5] 4 Turkish civilians were killed and 3 were injured as a result of bombardment. The bombardment also caused large scaled damage in city, destroying dozens of buildings.[6]

List of Battleships
USS Noma in front of Dolmabahçe

Many American battleships served in Turkish territorial waters between 1908-1923. The most important ones can be listed as;[7]

References

Citations
  1. a.g.e. Cevizoğlu, page 54
  2. New York Times (Archive), British would keep Sultan in Europe - Want him to retain the semblance of Power in Constantinople, 20 May 1919
  3. New York Times (Archive), Turkish tangle is still unsolved, 26 May 1919
  4. New York Times, Smyrna is taken away from Turkey, 17 May 1919
  5. a.g.e. Cevizoğlu, page 66
  6. a.g.e. Cevizoğlu, page 77
  7. a.g.e. Cevizoğlu, page 64-65
  8. Department of the Navy - Naval Historical Center, Burning of the French Transport Vinh-Long, 16 December 1922

Sources
  • Cevizoğlu, Hulki (2007). 1919'un Şifresi (Gizli ABD İşgalinin Belge ve Fotoğrafları). Ceviz Kabuğu Yayınları. ISBN 9789756613238.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.