Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-09-18
ESK|SH|R BATTLE
WILL REMAIN EPIC
IN GREEK HISTORY
Was at Fight That Hellenic
Army Crowned Its Smash
ing Offensive.
II DIVISIONS OF TURKS
VANQUISHED BY GREEKS
Corps Under General Poly
manakos Covered Itself With
Distinction and Bravery.
rBy Associated Press !


1.-THE battle Of Eskishchir prop
ap!y VIII remain an epic in modern
creek history. 1t was here that the
Hellenic army crowned it's smashing
ten -daS offensive against the Turks
by NanTu!sh!ng fourteen divisions OF
Mustapha Renal and scattering his
ieSionna!rcs in disorder toward An
CORA Some regard IL az one Of mo
most decisive battles in all OF
frccces long time Of struggle
seven Greek divisions shared in
the honor of tho victory. The Third
Army Corps. commanded by General
George Polymanakos. covered itself
with especial distinction. The same
army corps was the FIRST TO occupy
hemala other great stronghold.
hutahia.
Tnrks Seek to I.ny Trnp.
Tho Turks had sought 10 Law n
trap for the Greeks. they retired from
f.skshehir on the afternoon OF July
ana took up positions In the hills
just outside the town. IL was their
intention To return to the city In a
lew days. when the Greek forces
should be well within tho town.
AZ noon on July 81, believing that
most OF the Greek troops would be
caught unaware within the city.
Renal. with all his available troop,
launched = spirited attack from a
point eight kilomcters TO the north
- the town
The Turks descended from the
crest OF the long range OF hill.
which enc!rclc Eskshchir. like
wolves bearing down upon sheep
i"Id. Eskshch!r was too great "A
prize TO be given NJ lightly Not
'N"niy is the town strongly fortified.
nut II Is an important railroad head
and lin'sg
cora The town lay peacefully upon
ne broad whca;-covcrcd plain, the
surrounding mountains combining.
20 form vast amph!thcater around
is cnvirons. L, was "a perfect SGT.
Ting for :, battle The weather was
deal within the city tho popula-
ZION was preparing quietly for
luncheon. with no thought that n
Struggle was about 10 cuSuc. only
Inc hum OF Greek airplames over
head disturbed the reposc 81 tho
.ctharS!c Turkish town
Greeks Take IN Positions.
The Greeks had taken mp positions
on the outskirts of the city. They
themselves had planned an offensive
mat afternoon. 80 the Turks found
thclr adHerSarics more than pre-
pared. Long lines OF Kemallst
troops could be seen crawling down
from the submits of the mountains
IN serpcntine fashion. The Greeks
hurried TO their positions ana await
cd the order to fire The Greeks
settled themselves for the onslaught
The Turkish guns soon were roar
ing out fierce vollcy. Their aim
was accurate and deadly. Scores OF
Greeks could be seen falling. BY de.
Srces the kcmalists advanced until
they were within FIVE ki!lcmcters Of
The city. Their artillery fire was es-
pccialy effective. The Greek troops
then got into action and answered
the murdcrous cannon and rifle fire
that met them. Their work was de-
scribcd Ivy neutral military observers
as superb.
In spite OF the sustained rife and
machine-gun fire OF the Greek infan-
try. however, the Turks were getting
nearer and nearer TO the city. Their
shells were breaking within the
streets. The population became panic
stricken. Some fed 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 Tanks rctakc the city," That was
the question that worried them For
time the situation looked dark
But tho Greek reserve divisions had
not yet been heard from. They had
been clevcrly dcploycd around thc
city at the most advantageous stratc-
cical points They were hurricdIv
brought upvt to the first lines where
their rifles and machine guns did
deadly work. The Turks. then within
three kilomcters Of tho city. fell back.
Are they coming back" the dis
tresscd Christian population kept re-
neatinE. Only the Greek troops could
answer.
Three Creek divisions Of infantry
were now pouring n mcrcilcss stream
Of fire Into the Turkish ranks. They
soon were toincd by the caaalry.
Slowly the Kcmalists began 10 yield
their ground. Fly this time they were
"utnumbcred two to ono by the
creeks and the odds were becoming
greater. Mortals could not stand such
relentless harragc Of bullets. Eomal
nut up brave and determined fight,
nut IL was apparent he had not rcck-
ohcd upon so great a host.
additional units OF Greek infantry
'hadc their appearance until II seemed
as II dozen divisions were in action.
Us the fury of tho fire increased. the
Turkish lines began to thin ont
Those who were not killed turned and
ned toward the mountains. Tho Greek
= FORCES swept on and drove the re-
mainder into. the recesses OF the
mountains. 1t was day OF triumph
for Hellas.
After the battle It was found the
creeks had nearly annlhilated three
o. Kcmars finest divisions. Ono
Greek regiment OF cavalry in a dar-
ing charge. slew 400 Turks with the
sabre. The total Turkish casualties
killed and wounded. were nut Mt
1000, while those OF the Greeks
were estimated at $500.