Eski Sehir, July 1921: The Greek Cavalry crushes the Turks!

It is written by Konstantinos Vlachos, Lieutenant General e.a.

In 1921 the Greek Army had already been fighting in Asia Minor for some time. The Cavalry, although small in number, had played an important role in operations. But soon he would write new pages of glory in the Greek homelands there.

In June 1921 the Cavalry Brigade (TI), after its participation in the operations of the 3rd Army Corps (SS) in the spring of the same year, was undergoing reorganization.

The Cavalry Brigade under colonel Nikolaidis relocated to Usak in view of the upcoming operations towards the East. It would cooperate with the infantry to outflank and cut off the Turkish forces towards Kutachia.

Battle of Utz Sarai

On 3 July the Cavalry Brigade was ordered to move east of Eski Sehir. The next day the Turks attacked with strong forces against the Greek 14th Infantry Regiment (SP) at Uts Sarai. They continued to suffocate the Greek infantry the next day as well.

The Cavalry Brigade with its infantry units held off the Turks. However, the right of the 14th SP was bent and the Turks, who also had numerous cavalry, threatened to annihilate the Greek forces.

In order to prevent this eventuality, the deputy commander Spyridon Markopoulos attacked the Turks at the head of the 1st and 2nd Ilis of the 1st SI. The Greek horsemen charged with swords against the enemy in a charge of death. The Turks, superior in numbers, repulsed the advance. \

53 Greeks were lost in the battle, including the captain and 80 horses. Nevertheless, time was gained and thanks to the initiative of the then Chief of Staff of the Cavalry Brigade lieutenant colonel ALEXANDROS PAPAGOS, the cavalry covered the retreat of the infantry, maneuvering in successive positions and delaying the Turks, causing them serious losses, so serious that they stopped the pursuit.

The advance on AK Bunar

After the battle at Utz Sarai the Cavalry Brigade moved towards An Bunar. On July 8, the Turks launched their big offensive comeback with the aim of recapturing Eski Sehir and destroying the Greek forces there.

The Cavalry detected the Turkish movements in time and covered the gaps between the Greek infantry divisions. But at the same time he wrote an indelible page of glory… Seeing the Turkish pressure, the Cavalry Brigade ordered the 3rd SI under Colonel Varthis to advance against the Turks.

The two divisions were headed, the 1st, by the heroic CYPRUS, CHIEF IOANNIS TSAGGARIDES and the 2nd by the then CHIEF GEORGIOS STANOTAS (Commander of the Cavalry Division in 1940-41). The Greek horsemen drew their swords and to the sounds of the trumpet, with the blue and white flag flying, they charged out with the chant “Aera…” vibrating the atmosphere.

The Turks were surprised, bewildered, panicked, and started chasing after the horsemen…

The Greeks chased the Turks to a depth of 4 km killing over 500 and capturing another 100! The 3rd SI only lost one horseman… It was a great victory.

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