The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-09-19
CREEKS FOUGHT SPLENDID BATTLE
 AT ESKI-SHEHlR

Ecki-Shehir, Asia Minor, Sept. 1s- .(By A. P0-The battle. of Eski- in modern Greek history. It was here that the Hellenic army crowned | it's smashing 10-day offensive against the Turks by vanuufshinig 14 divis- ions of Musta pha Renal and scat | tering his lesionaries in disorder to- | ward Angora. Some regard it as one | of the most decisive battles in all of Greece's long time of struggles. the % honor of G the alvisto Vietory. The er Third m Army Corps, commanded by General with especial distinction. The same army corps was the first to occupy Kemafs other great stronghold, ku- tahia.
 The Turks had sought to lay a trap for the Greeks They retired from Eski-shehir on the afternoon of July 19, and took up positions in the hills just outside the town. It was their intention to return to the city in a few days, when the Greek forces should be well within the town
 At noon on July 21, 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 ki1ometers to the north of the town
 The Turkes descended from the crest of the long range of hills which encircle Eski-shehir. like wolves
  Eski-sh ehir was too great prize to be given up lightly. Not only is the town strongly fortified, but it is an important railroad head and links town lay peacefully upon the broad wheat-covered plain, the surround ing mountains Combining to form vast amphftheatre around it's env1- rons. It was perfect setting for battle. The weather was ideal. Within the city the population was preparing quietly for luncheon, with no thought that a struggle was about to ensue. Only the hum of Greek airplanes overhead disturbed the re- pose of the 1ethargfc 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 pre- pared. Long lines of Kemalist troops could be seen crawling down from 1 the surnmits of the mountains in ser pentine fashion. The Greeks h1r5 i1d, the order to fire. The Greeks steeled themselves for the onslaught
 The Turkish guns soon were roar ing out fierce vol1ey- Their aim was accurate and deadly. Scores of Greeks could be seen falling. By degrees the Kemalists advanced until they were within five kilometers Of the city. Their artillery fire was es- pecia1ly effective. The Greek troops 1 then got into action and answered the murderous cannon and rifle fire that met them. Their work was de- scribed by neutral military observers as superb.
 In spite of the sustained rifle and machine gun fire of the Greek in fantry however, the Turks were get ting nearer and nearer to the city Their shells were breaking within the streets. The population became panic-stricken Some fled in terror to the cellars of their homes. Groups of them surrounded The Associated Press correspondent and sought some word of encouragement from him Would the Turks retake the city 7? That was the question that worried them. For a time the situation look ed dark.
 had not yet been heard from They had been cleverly deployed around the city at the most advantageous strategical points. They were I3. hur. where their rifles and machine guns did deadly work. The Turks, then within three kilometerS of the city fell back
 tressed Christian population kept re- beating. Only the Greek troops could answer.
 Three Greek divisions of infantry were now pouring a merci1ess stream of fire into the Turkish ranks. They soon were joined by the cavalry.
 Slowly the d Ksmalists beg began t,nte te they were outnumbered two to one by the Greeks and the odds were be- coming greater Mortals could no, stand such a relentless barrage ot bullets. Renal put up @ brave and determined fight, but it was apparent he had not reckoned upon so great a host.
 Additional units of Greek infantry
 made their appearance until it seem ed as if a dozen divisions were in &C., ton. As the fury of the fire increas- ed, the Turkish lines began to thin out. These who were not killed turned and fed toward the noun tains. The Greek forces swept on and drove the remainder into the re- cesSes of the mountains. It was a day | of triumph for Hellas.
 After the battleF it was found the Greeks had nearly annihilated three of KemaPs finest divisions. One Greek regiment of cavalry, in a dar- ing charge, slew 400 Turks with the sabre. The total Turkish casualties killed and wounded. were put at 1000, while those of the Greeks were estimated at $500.