The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-10-06
GREEKS WINNING
IN ASIA MINOR

The Associated Press correspon-
dent with the Greek army in Asia
Minor writes: The battle of Eski-
shehir probably will remain an epic
in modern Greek history. 1t was here
that the Hellenic army crowned its
smashing Today offensive against the
Turks by vanquishing IA divisions of
Mustapha Kemal and scattering his
DICTIONARIES in disorder toward An
CORA. Some regard it as one of the
most decisive battles in all of Greece's
long time OF struggles.
Seven Greek divisions shared in the
hener of the victory. The third army
corps, commanded by General George
Polymanakos, covered itself with es-
pecial distinction. The same army
corps was the first to occupy KemaPs
other great stronghold, Kutahia.
The Turks had sought to lay trap
for the Greeks. They retired from
Eski-shehir. on the afternoon of July
10, and took up positions in the hills
just outside the town. 1t was their
intention to return to the city in q
few days, when the Greek forces
should be well within the town.
At noon on July 81. believing that
most of the Greek troops would be
caught unaware within the city, Ke-
NAL with all his available troops,
launched a. spirited attack from a
point eight kilometers to the north of
the town.
The Turks descended from the
crest of the long range of hills which
encircle Eski-Shehir, like wolves bear
ing down upon a sheepfold. Eski-
Shehir was too great prize to be
given up lightly. Not only is the
tcwn strongly fortified, but it is an
important railroad head and links
Constantinople with Angora. The
town lay peacefully upon the broad
wheat plain, the surrounding
mountains combining to form vast
amphitheater around its environs. II
was perfect setting for a battle
The weather was ideal. Within the
city the population was preparing
quietly for luncheon, with no though
that struggle was about to ensure
Only the hum of Greek airplanes
overhead disturbed the repose of the
lethargic Turkish town.
The Greeks had taken up positions
on the outskirts of the city. They
themselves, had planned an offensive
that afternoon. So the Turks; found
their adversaries more than prepared
Long lines of Kemalist troops could
be seen crawling down from the sum.
mits of the mountains in serpentirs
fashion. The Greeks hurried to then
positions and waited the order to fire
The Greeks steeled themselves for the
onslaught.
The Turkish guns soon were roar.
ing out a fierce volley. Their ain
was accurate and deadly. Scores Of
Greeks could be seen, falling. By de-
grees the Kemalists. advanced unit
they were within five kilometers O,
the city. Their artillery fire was es
pecially effective. The Greek troop.
then got into action and answered tn,
murderous cannon and rifle fire thai
met them. Their work was described
by neutal military observers as su
perb.
In spite of the sustained rifle ant
machine gun fire of the Greek infan
try, however, the Turks were getting
nearer and nearer to the city. Thei
shells were breaking within tn
streets. The population became panic
stricken. Some fed in terror to tn
cellars of their homes. Groups o
them surrounded the Associate,
Press correspondent and sought som
work of encouragement from him
would the Turks retake the city
That was the question that worrie
them. For a time the situation look
ed dark.
But the Greek reserve divisions ha
not vet been heard from. They ha
been cleverly deployed around tn