SMYRNA DISASTER (1922), (Smyrna massacre). The massacre of Greek and Armenian peaceful population in Smyrna by Turkish troops during the Greek-Turkish war in 1919-22.

Receiving financial, military, political and moral support of the Great Powers and Soviet Russia during the war, Turkey's Kemalist government troops defeated the Greeks  that had penetrated into Asia Minor and liberated ancient Greek territories. On September 9, 1922, they invaded Smyrna and with the help of the Turkish mob started to massacre Greek and Armenian civilians and to loot their property. In total mess of that time Torgom, who was in Smyrna, wasn’t able to organize the self-defense of the native Armenians and a large number of Armenian refugees that sttledSt. Stephanos Armenian Church in Smyrna, XVI century, a postcard. From the collection of O. Calumeno (The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute).in Smyrna.   

Thousands of Armenians sheltered in St.Stephanos Church to avoid the slaughter. On September 13, a massive fire started in the city that was set by the Kemalists (Turkish and Soviet historians wrongly asserted that the town was set on fire by retreating Greeks). More than 50 houses, 24 churches, 28 schools, banks, consulates and hospitals were destroyed because of the fire. The massacre of the Christian population was carried out not only in the city, but also on the coast in front of the European vessels’ crew, but they did nothing to save the victims because of  the political interests of their countries. American writer Ernest Hemingway described the actions of Turkish barbarians against the Christians. The Turks also carried out the massacres of the Armenians and Greeks in the surrounding areas of Smyrna, as well as sank the ships that had sheltered many survivors.

Only few Greeks and Armenians managed to survive and were transferred to Greece by Greek ships. 

The disaster of Smyrna was an act of genocide organized by the Turkish Government against the Armenians and Greeks. 

A. Kharatyan

Source- Encyclopedia “The Armenian Issue”, Yerevan, 1996. 

Hovsepian M. The Smyrna Affair, N.Y., 1971.

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