Who Burned Izmir?

It is perhaps one of the most mysterious events in the history of the War of Independence of Türkiye. Yes, Izmir was burned after its liberation. According to most Western media, the Turks burned Izmir, but it is obvious that this statement was written with hostile feelings. Far beyond the financial loss in the Izmir fire, the most important culture and art center of the Mediterranean burned down and this very important city could not reach the same level again.

Let's listen to the Izmir disaster from the American witnesses who had been there. Two articles dated 1923 were written by two American journalists and a writer by observing before and after 9 September which is the date of Smyrna Fire.

The universe, with all that it contains, is actually a whole of mysteries. While we think that we can explain the nature (universe) with various laws that we have determined by ourselves, we always ignore the possibility that a small flapping of wings, which we call the Butterfly Effect, can cause storms in another continent. Chaos examines these issues but cannot formulate them. Such like the historical dimension of the subject.

The history we write that we know is out of our hands, so it is quite humane. While someone writes what he has done, he/she repeats current life and does not show what is happening as it is. If historians are dependent on the dominant Powers (ruling class), they have to write in line with their will. Even if we think for a moment that they are independent, this time they become passionate about certain ideologies or original interpretations. For example, while the history of Herodotus gives a premium to the Hellenes, it is cynical and even condescending towards other civilizations that are contemporary, and moreover, it is dreamy. Xenefenon, the author of Anabasis, is like a paparazzi in his diary/historical travelogue. You keep turning pages to get valuable information. Another serious mistake of western origin is when you pick up an academic history book, for example, while you are trying to improve your knowledge of Caesar, you suddenly come across references from the Torah. However, it is not possible to decide whether the Torah is a history book or a religious book.

The area burned is marked on the map. The Izmir Fire was one of the biggest fires of the history.

Diana is a Saint, Saddam Antichrist

Today, history emerges as a result of the thoughts, personal beliefs or the motives of the system to which they belong. Those who will read Toktamış Ateş's (Republican Writer in Turkiye) historical research on any subject in the future will be shocked when they read Abdurrahman Dilipak (Conservative Writer in Turkiye), who also wrote on the same subject. Although this is called freedom of interpretation or thought today, what matters in the end is where the truth is and who wrote it.

Current problems, individual and organizational perspectives, and dominant powers will cause great troubles to humanity in the future, and may lead to socio-political chaos far beyond the unknowns of 5000 years ago we live today. As in science fiction novels, maybe Atatürk will be thought of as a prophet, Princess Diana will be believed to be a saint, and Saddam Hussein will be considered an Antichrist.

After World War II, America declared Nazi Germany eternal evil by means of cinema and literature. However, She did not think that the Nazis might be a cult gang trying to take power of the country, a mafia organization or a structure that includes the both in meaning, and that the millions of Germans who died might not be one of them. According to historical science, their crime of the German is to choose Hitler and vote for him. But the responsibility of millions of people who were tortured and burned alive by the French, Spanish and Italian churches in the Middle Ages is not attributed to these countries or the churches themselves.

It is only bitter nostalgia from today's point of view that the Spanish bandit named Cortez or the jailbreaker cowboys wiped out a civilization completely from the earth’s surface.

Now, the source of this article is The Nation magazine and the narrators are two American journalists. Sometimes the facts can be as different as night and day between those who lived the days and those who wrote about them. Just as it is not right to attribute a bad sample in the crowd to the whole group. It is not so easy to see and evaluate the events with an objective eye. Under this perspective of mankind, what is told today will be interpreted in quite different ways in the future than today.

Hagia Photini Church. Some Turkish poeple found dead as tied hands and feet in this chırch in the ashes…

Did the Turkish Army Persecute?

In the liberation of Izmir, the accusations were directed towards the Turkish Army, and it was about their behavior when Izmir was concuered. The British and American reports were taken into account as the sources for the full evaluation of the events, and the main policy behind such reports is Anti-Turkism, which is consistently maintained.

When the victorious Turkish Army entered the Aegean Region, the first thing that came to Christians’ mind was that the Greeks slaughtered 4000 Muslim people in 1919. That's why a panic started immediately and the Christians were begging for protection from the revenge of some Turks. The Council of the League of Nations in Genoa sent petitioners to Ankara, demanding that they were treated softly and not persecuted. This act actually meant the League of Nations' official acknowledgment of Greek persecution. Gradually, the fall of the Greeks in Izmir and the rise of Christian nations in Europe coincided with the same period. However, the great morale collapse of the Greeks during the retreat caused them to behave very aggresively, and the British censorship, which was very effective, did its best to prevent any information to the press.

As the defeated Greek Army's brutal looting and the burning and destruction of every place it passed increased more and more, Commander İsmet Pasha managed to control the soldiers aiming to take revenge, although it was difficult. The dignity and discipline of the soldiers deeply impressed western observers. The first Turkish troops entering Izmir immediately formed a military police force to prevent the looting. It was the best thing to do to calm the hysterical Greek people in panic.

The view of Izmir Fire and wind carries it to city. September 14, morning…

The Greeks Gone Crazy

The correspondents of the London Daiy Mail, Chicago Tribune and Reuters Agency were in the most influential parts of the unfortunate city and found no trace of the Turks in the fire. Despite the news and testimonies of these journalists, it is still said and believed that the Turks burned Izmir. Reuter reporter, who was in the Greek Army during the retreat, warned a Greek officer not to burn the city while leaving Uşak, but could not make him listen. He conveyed the news from Izmir to the newspaper as follows. “The demoralization of the Greek soldiers was very high, but the worst part was that most of the officers personally directed the looting and burning and even did it by hand.”

Colonel Haskell of the American Red Cross said in his official statement after returning from his research tour in the Middle East: “America would feed the million Turks who were left homeless due to the stubborn destruction of the retreating Greek soldier, whereas this aid would be for the Greeks and Armenians living there and waiting for help.”

The real perpetrator of the so-called Turkish massacre, which was mixed with countless lies and spread in the American public opinion, is the Greeks.

Source: Arthur Moss and Florence Gilliam. “The Nation, 13 June 1923”

Alsancak Railroad Terminal. Estimated that the fire began in this area...

Did Armenians from Izmir Plan the Fire?

“Almost everyone in America believes that the tragedy that caused the Izmir Hell was perpetrated by the Turks, but this collective belief came as a surprise to me and I believe it has been for others as well. Nationalism or political allegiance, whichever it is, the surprise you will experience will be bigger, especially if you have seen that disaster. It is not wise to accuse the Turks of the highest known war crime under the influence of motives. Yes, they took Izmir; the city stood still, and the Orient was the greatest reward of a war. The Turks living in the city were trying to find food, protect their homes and run their business. A shop selling various tools and equipment was trying to meet the needs of the soldiers and the public. Then why would they burn down places that meet their own needs? Another general belief is that Armenians and Greeks do not want to leave booty to their enemies. According to a rumor/report heard a few days before the fire, a group of Armenian youth was preparing to start a big fire if the city fell into the hands of the Turks.

Punto(Alsancak) Postfire view...

A Foresight of Horror

Izmir Fire Chief Paul Griscovitch was worried when he came to me, he talked about the rumors and especially emphasized the possibility of sabotage by the Armenians. He was pointing out that the flow and style of events, and finally, the great horror to be experienced in Izmir Dock. In the first days of September, Admiral Mark L. Bristol, who was the Istanbul High Commissioner, started to organize the Emergency Aid Committee. He was sure that the city would fall into the hands of the Turks and predicted that bad things would happen. When the American Destroyer USS Lawrence under the command of Captain Wolleson moved the aid committee to Izmir, I was in it as a committee member. We arrived at the port on Friday evening, September 8, 1922. We were watching the last Greek soldiers to leave the city. Comparing the serious problems brought before us, the possibility of fire was accepted by all committee members. There was a very high tension in the city. As we learned, all the city police and firefighters were Greek, they were all in fear. They wanted to abandon their duties as soon as possible and escape from the approaching Turkish Army. I wanted to review the situation in order to do my duty, the firefighting team consisted of sixty people at two small stations.

Entry of Turkish Army into Izmir (Smyrna)

Were the Arsonists Among the Immigrants?

He provided a towable fire truck (suction and force pump) in good condition and half a dozen hand machines. With these, sea water could be sucked from the dock and transmitted by hoses. The number of three-storey buildings in the city was very few, the majority of them were two-storey. According to a rumor circulating in the city, 1500 immigrants gathered around the Armenian Hospital were burned by the Turks. We received a call for help before noon on Tuesday. I went to the hospital, accompanied by Dr. Post, two nurses, and the Near East Relief Team. While I was there, 15-20 Turkish soldiers under the command of a captain came and said that they wanted to use the hospital for military purposes. Meanwhile, the immigrants came one after another. Some were crowding into trucks, and there were all kinds of people among them. Everyone, including men, women and children, was trying to take shelter in the hospital. By six o'clock, the hospital building, the hospital garden and the surrounding area were full of immigrants.

The Turkish Captain had written orders given by the Command and he wanted to make the hospital ready for use by the occupation forces as soon as possible. He told us that the Turkish patients and wounded will come from onwards tonight. Also, most of the immigrants were armed and the Captain wanted to collect those weapons. Among his orders was to open fire if the immigrants did not want to surrender their weapons. He wanted our help to collect the guns, and he trusted us the Americans, Dr. Post, the two nurses, and me.

Left to right; English Post Office and St. Jean Greek Orthodox Church. In this church, found some Turks dead as in Hagia Photini Church.

The Proofs Found

The next morning was Thursday, September 13, and the critical situation had reached its peak. Fire Chief Paul Griscovich came in and told me he had found bundles of old clothes, rags, and bed linen, soaked in gasoline. Some of these were made by Armenian immigrants and left. Grescovich was pressuring me to testify. During the three days I spent with him, we argued. Until Sunday morning… We searched. We didn't need a translator because he spoke perfect English. Grescovich was an engineer. He was educated in Austria and known in Turkey. He had become Izmir Fire Chief 12 years ago and was a competent person. He told me that in the first week of September, an average of five fires a day broke out in the city, but he overcame them with his inadequate organization, in despite of the conditions. The fires were usually caused by carelessness, but some believed they were caused by arson. As a result, it was a normal period and nothing unusual. After the Turkish authorities arrived and took control, Grescovich had requested reinforcements and fire material. But instead of help, the Turkish Military Governor, when he learned that the Greeks were still working as firefighters, ordered all of them to be arrested. Now only 37 firefighters remained. On Monday night, several fires broke out, the fire crew was insufficient naturally, but the Turkish soldiers coming for help extinguished the fires.

View of Kordon Pasaport Dock pre-fire…

A Group of Arsonists Captured

Turkish soldiers shot a group of Armenians on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Those killed had been accused of starting a fire using gasoline near the railway in the Armenian quarter. On Wednesday morning, Grescovich found some evidence of arson and informed me that thousands of immigrants from the Armenian School and the Dominican Church, led by two Armenian priests, had come to get shelter around the docks. When Grescovich went up to them, he found among their belongings unidentified gasoline-soaked rags and ready-to-light torches. The Fire Chief and his men were confident, and some of the young Armenians were disguised as women, and some of them were disguised wearing uniforms of irregular Turkish soldiers, but were caught that morning before they could start the fire. But now things were flowing.

Famous Sporting Club in Kordon. Imperial war ships are seen around.

Didn't Kazım Pasha Take the Fire Seriously?

At 11:20 a.m. Thursday morning, at least a half dozen fire reports came in. The fires had started around the loading holds and passenger station. When these important fires stopped between the buildings, an occasion gained to be protected and take precautions for the Turks. At the same time, the fires that broke out in the region where the Christians were located were in their favor. At 12:00, five more fires broke out around the Armenian Hospital. Simultaneously, two more fires at the location of the Armenian Club were reported and a few minutes later there were reports that several more fires had started around the station. That afternoon, Grescovich believed that the city would be destroyed. Again, he went to the military authorities and asked for help, but no help came. However, at six o'clock, 100 Turkish soldiers were sent to the Chief's command. By eight o'clock the soldiers were trying to prevent the fire from spreading by trying to destroy the houses with bombs. I went to the Commander-in-Chief the next afternoon. The window of the room of Kazım Pasha, the Turkish Military Governor, was open and I could see the smoke rising from the burning areas of the city. I tried to get Pasha's attention, but he tried to assure me. The governor said, "I always thought about the possibility of fire, I gave the necessary orders to my soldiers, they will stop the fire." I left the command post and made an appointment with the Governor Pasha to meet again at five o'clock. But the fire was spreading very quickly, the people were sweating in their houses, hundreds of people were running towards the dock in panic. By five o'clock the situation had become so complicated that I realized that it was not possible to reach the command post.

Punto (Alsancak) postfire

Also the wind was hostile to Izmir

In the afternoon the wind got stronger and started to blow from the southeast, which was not normal for this season and at night the wind turned into a storm. The people of Izmir I knew were telling me that they had never seen such a strong wind in these months and that this was an event beyond normal. The wind was blowing thick smoke and ashes over the American destroyer US Litchfield. It was not easy to see and breathe. The destroyer sailed from the shore and anchored 700-800 m away. Three days later I saw Grescovich again. He hadn't slept for five days and was battling the fire. We walked around the burning neighborhoods of the city together. I took note of what was said to me. The representative of Lloyd Insurance Company stated that the extent of the damage was unnatural, but refused to measure. A few weeks after the fire, I had the opportunity to speak with the Turkish authorities; They were all in pain and were shaking their heads philosophically, saying that the enemies had devastated the city. They seemed to be angry with themselves. They implied that they were responsible for the fire, blaming themselves for not being able to adequately control the enemy. Especially the rumors made them very angry. To me; “What do we burn the city for? Izmir is a treasure with all its wealth and it is ours. The fleeing Greek army and navy left behind large stores of military supplies and food. These were necessary both for the people and for the army. In addition to the destruction of all these materials, warehouses and stations were also burned. The Greek and Armenian townspeople, who sailed to the sea, that is, fled, were aware of this richness and abundant material. They had also left everything in their homes and shops. All this was unquestionably ours. Now tell me, are we stupid enough to destroy everything?" they said.

Turks Didn't Start the Fire Because…

In my opinion and in line with the results of my research notes, the situation is different. A lot has been published in the media about this country, even it has been written that the Turks poured gasoline around the American Consulate. I was there for a long time and doing research with the fire chief. There was not a drop of gasoline around the consulate. It is also a fact that even the most honest historian among the people of Izmir at that moment, during the fire, would believe that the Turks were responsible for the fire within a few weeks. The reason for this is the extremely nonreactive appearance of the Turks. Maybe they weren't careful enough. On the other hand, to be frank, we are all closely acquainted with the tragic efforts of Turkish soldiers while fighting the fire. Briefly, neither I nor my friends have seen or found anything that proves or even implies that Turkish soldiers and Turkish people burned Izmir and wanted the city to be destroyed. Signs point the other way.  Mark O. Prentiss

“Writer Mark O. Prentiss, an American engineer, was with the Middle East Relief Team and was in Izmir at the time of the fire. Many western newspapers published what they experienced and saw. After writing the text you read above, he sent it to Admiral Mark L. Bristol from the American Embassy in Istanbul on January 11, 1923.”

Levent Aslan  (The picture of fire on the main page is taken from www.isteataturk.com)