Demirci Akıncıları

Demirci Akıncıları is a local resistance force established under the leadership of Ibrahim Ethem Bey, a civilian leader and district governor of Demirci, on Türkiye’s Western Front during the Turkish National Struggle. Active since 13 October 1921, this organization employed guerrilla tactics against Greek occupation forces, secured public order in the region, and contributed significantly to the victory of the War of Independence.

Ibrahim Ethem Bey (Akıncı) is one of the prominent civilian leaders of the Turkish National Struggle on the Western Front. Despite having no military background, he led an effective resistance against the Greek occupation through the militia force he founded, known as the Demirci Akıncıları. He was appointed district governor of Demirci by the Ankara Government and carried out his duties under extremely hazardous conditions.

Appointment as District Governor of Demirci and Participation in the National Struggle

Following the Greek occupation of İzmir, Ibrahim Ethem Bey initially moved to Bursa and then to Istanbul. He later traveled to Ankara to join the National Struggle. The Ankara Government appointed him as district governor of Demirci, a region bordering the Greek-occupied territories and under constant threat of occupation.

Ibrahim Ethem Akıncı (Demirci Subdistrict)

Formation and Structure of the Demirci Akıncıları Organization

Shortly after assuming his duties as district governor of Demirci, Ibrahim Ethem Bey launched an organization called the Demirci Akıncıları to establish the authority of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) in the region and to combat the enemy. Although structured along military lines, this organization was founded and led by a civilian leader.

Founding Date and Membership

The organization became active on 13 October 1921. It initially consisted of approximately 300 members.

Organizational Model

The Demirci Akıncıları were organized into small detachments of 25 to 30 men each, designed to operate across a wide geographic area using guerrilla warfare tactics.

Leadership and Directives

• Commander of General Akıncı Detachments: District Governor Ibrahim Ethem Bey.

• Directive Document: A 40-article directive document was prepared regulating the organization’s operations, movement patterns, areas of responsibility, and the procurement of food, clothing, and weapons. This document ensured that detachments operated in a disciplined and coordinated manner.

Detachment Commanders and Areas of Responsibility (Key Examples)

• 1st Volunteer Detachment: Hüseyin Çavuş (Bigadiç and Konakpınarı subdistricts)
• 2nd Volunteer Detachment: Kulalı İhsan’s son Mehmet Efe (Kula and Eşme)
• 3rd Volunteer Detachment: Hacı Veli (Sındırgı)
• 4th and 5th Volunteer Detachments: Bakırlı Saçlı Mustafa Efe and Bakırlı Ahmet Çavuş (Kırkağaç, Akhisar, Soma)
• 6th Akıncı Detachment: Arslan Ağa, later Arap Ali Osman Efe (Balat/Dursunbey, Kirmastı/Mustafa Kemalpaşa, Yenice)
• 10th Akıncı Detachment: Kirmastılı Ahmet Nazif (martyred), later Arslan Ağa (Kepsut subdistrict and Balıkesir)
• 11th Akıncı Detachment: Parti Mehmet Pehlivan Ağa (Demirci and Simav)
• 12th Akıncı Detachment: Usturumcalı Halil Efe (Gördes and Salihli)
• 13th Akıncı Detachment: Sarı Mehmet Efe (later left without a commander)
• Independent Detachments: Leaders such as Simavlı Yusuf Çavuş, Tireli İsmail Efendi, Kadıdağlı Pehlivan, Recep Pehlivan, and Mustafa Ağa, commander of the Yaykın Detachment, also operated under the Akıncı banner.

The Demirci Akıncıları consisted of volunteers from various social groups and geographic regions. These included migrants from Rumelia (particularly those with prior komitacı experience), as well as local populations from different districts of Western Anatolia such as Sındırgı, Bigadiç, Balıkesir, Ayvalık, Edremit, Gönen, Havran, İvrindi, Kepsut, Manyas, Gördes, Demirci, Manisa, Akhisar, Kırkağaç, Kula, Selendi, Soma, Simav, Emet, Tavşanlı, Gediz, Ayvacık, Ezine, and Kirmastı. It is noted that a significant portion of the Akıncı members were educated.

Intelligence Organization

Ibrahim Ethem Bey established an effective intelligence organization that made significant contributions to the National Struggle. The primary rationale for this organization was the army’s continuous demand for information and the necessity of establishing an intelligence network within enemy territory.

The Demirci Akıncıları operated based on directives requiring them to provide the army with continuous intelligence on enemy movements, establish an internal intelligence network, accurately assess the true situation of Greek occupation units, and remain vigilant and cautious in the face of occupation threats.

Intelligence Plan

Ibrahim Ethem Bey prepared a partial draft intelligence plan and sent it to Derviş Bey, commander of the First Cavalry Division operating on the Gediz front. Derviş Bey highly approved the plan and immediately requested its implementation. A financial support of 100 liras was promised for the plan, but only 25 liras could be delivered.

Scope and Centers

Main Center: Simav was designated as the intelligence center.

Wide Scope: The network covered the regions of Bandırma, Balıkesir, Bigadiç, Sındırgı, Akhisar, Manisa, İzmir, Gördes, Demirci, Salihli, Alaşehir, Kula, and Uşak.

Regional Centers and Responsible Personnel

Gördes-Centered Network: Covered the districts of Sındırgı, Akhisar, and Salihli.

• Gördes: Gördes Regional Commander (during occupation: Hanzade Hacı Ethem (Büke) Bey)
• Sındırgı: Aziz Efendi
• Akhisar: Seyyar Asım Efendi (covered İzmir, Soma, and Manisa)
• Salihli: Seyyar Cemal Efendi (stationed at the railway station, covered Alaşehir and Manisa)
• Alaşehir: Müftü Efendi

Demirci-Centered Network: Covered the districts of Sındırgı and Kula.

• Demirci: District Governor Ibrahim Ethem Bey (during occupation: Ahmet Ağa from Dede Bardakçı village)
• Kula: Müftü Ahmet Efendi

Demirci Akıncıları (Demirci Subdistrict)

Intelligence Gathering Methods

Due to limited communication facilities such as telegraph and telephone in occupied areas, intelligence was primarily gathered through human sources. Ibrahim Ethem Bey relied on trusted individuals known as “mutemet” agents. These included Muhasebe-i Hususiye Clerk Nurullah Efendi, Hüseyin (also known as Nurullah), M.D., Hasan Ağa, Balıkesir mutemedi M.K., Balat (Dursunbey) mutemedi, Simav mutemedi, I.H. on behalf of Ova villages, Konakpınarlı Deli Hacı Mehmet, and Nazım from Çorum (Düvertepeli).

Judicial Activities

Intelligence gathered was evaluated by a court composed of detachment commanders under the chairmanship of Ibrahim Ethem Bey, modeled after the Independence Tribunals. Individuals collaborating with the Greeks or harming Akıncı detachments and civilians were tried and punished. Ibrahim Ethem Bey’s son, Burhan Cahit Akıncı, recounted his father’s words: “While we were a militia, we conducted investigations and held courts. Some of those we judged were executed.”

Clashes and Engagements with Greek Forces

The Demirci Akıncıları engaged in active combat with Greek occupation forces for approximately 18 months and had a significant impact across multiple regions.

Key Battle Areas and Engagements

• Balıkesir Province: Railway station raid near Ayşebacı village, Bozyer Raid, Bahrisefit Raids (Ayvalık-Edremit-Burhaniye), rural areas of Bigadiç (Adalı Boğazı-Küllük, Bozbük, Çömlekçi, Faraş, Güvemçetmi, Kırca, Neyzan-Beşpınar Battles), rural areas of Dursunbey (Güvemdere Battle), rural areas of İvrindi (Korucu, İvrindi Plain Battles), rural areas of Gönen (Çakmak Battle), rural areas of Kepsut (Muster against Çetmi Eşkıyası near İsaalanı village, Palamut Kepsut Battle), rural areas of Sındırgı (Aktaş, Alaçam-Akdağ, Çıkrıkçı-Babaoğul, Dedeler, Demyanlar, Gölcük, Gözeren-Dedeler, Karaağaç, Kepez (Operation to Break the Siege of Ulus Dağı), Kertil, Kınık, Kocayayla, Osmanlar Raids), Susurluk Raid.

• Bursa Province: Kirmastı (Mustafa Kemalpaşa) Raid.

• Çanakkale Province: Rural area of Yenice (Alakilise Battle).

• Kütahya Province: Emet Battles.

• Manisa Province: Rural areas of Manisa (Palamut Farm Raid), rural areas of Akhisar (Başlamış, Çaltılıçukur, Çanakçı, Kurtulmuş, Selçikli Battles), rural areas of Demirci (Akdere Enemy Ambush, Çat Farm, Yeniköy Raids), rural areas of Kırkağaç (Bakır Village Bakırlı Raid, Gelenbe-Söğütalanı-Alacalar, Kınık Battle), rural areas of Selendi (Çortak, Selendi Battle), rural areas of Soma (Menteşe, Naldöken, and Sevişler Village Battles).

• İzmir Province: Rural area of Bergama (Dereköy Battle).

Settlements Where They Operated

The Akıncı forces were active in numerous districts, towns, villages, and neighborhoods including Balıkesir (Ayşebacı, Selimiye/Bozyer, Konakpınar), Bahrisefit coast (Ayvalık, Burhaniye, Edremit), Balya (Ağunya), Bigadiç (Adalı, Bademli/Neyzan, Yolbaşı/Faraş, Güvemçetmi), Dursunbey (Sağırlar), Gönen (Çakmak), İvrindi (Korucu), Kepsut (Akçakertil, İsaalanı), Sındırgı (Aktaş, Alaçam, Çıkrıkçı, Demyanlar/Dağdere, Gölcük, Gözeren, Kepez, Kınık, Kocayayla, Osmanlar, Düvertepe/Çorum), Susurluk (Yaylaçayırı), Manisa center (Palamut Farm), Akhisar (Başlamış, Selçikli), Demirci (Ahmetler, Akdere, Bardakçı, Çat Farm, Yeniköy, Borlu), Gölmarmara, Gördes (Benlieli, Doğanpınar, Geyikli), Kırkağaç (Bakır, Gelenbe, Kınık), Kula (Hacıibrahimdamları, Yurtbaşı), Selendi (Çortak), Soma (Menteşe, Naldöken, Sevişler), Kütahya (Emet, Tavşanlı, Pazarlar, Gediz), Simav (Ahmetli, Hisarbey, Karacaören), Bursa (Mustafa Kemalpaşa/Kirmastı), Uşak (Eşme), Çanakkale (Yenice/Alakilise), İzmir (Bergama/Dereköy, Öğütler, Menteşe).

Parti Pehlivan from the Demirci Akıncıları (Demirci Subdistrict)

Follow-up Operations and Liberation After the Great Offensive

With the start of the Great Offensive on 26 August 1922, Greek occupation forces began retreating. Under the command of Ibrahim Ethem Bey, the Akıncı Detachments assumed the responsibility of pursuing fleeing Greek units and restoring order in areas liberated from occupation.

Liberation Dates and Regions

• 30 August 1922: Demirci was evacuated and liberated by the Akıncılar.
• 31 August 1922: The village of Yeniköy in Simav and the Düvertepe subdistrict of Sındırgı were liberated.
• 3 September 1922: Sındırgı was liberated by the Akıncılar after a battle. On the same day, Dursunbey was liberated.
• 5 September 1922: Kepsut and Susurluk were liberated. Villages around Balıkesir were liberated.
• 6 September 1922: Balıkesir, Balya, Gönen, and Savaştepe were freed from enemy occupation.
• 7 September 1922: İvrindi was liberated.
• 8 September 1922: Havran and Burhaniye were liberated.
• 9 September 1922: Edremit was liberated.
• 12 September 1922: The entire district of Körfez (Burhaniye, Edremit, and Ayvalık) was liberated by the Demirci Akıncıları.

Follow-up Columns

The pursuit of Greek forces was conducted along three main columns:

1st Column: Detachments led by Arslan Ağa, Arap Ali Osman Efe, and Recep Pehlivan (toward Dursunbey and Kepsut).

2nd Column: Detachments led by Bakırlı Mustafa and Hacı Veli (toward Gelenbe-Akhisar-Kırkağaç). This column also blocked Greek units attempting to flee from the Kütahya-Eskişehir line toward the Aegean coast.

3rd Column (Central Column): The column personally commanded by Ibrahim Ethem Bey (toward Balıkesir).

Pursuit of the Greek Division

The retreating 15th Greek Division was tracked by Akıncı Detachments and regular army units (159th Regiment) from Simav through Sındırgı, Kırkağaç, Soma, and Bergama until Dikili, forcing them to flee by sea.

Scope of Duties (31 August – 30 September 1922)

• Pursue fleeing Greek forces, prevent massacres, and, if possible, eliminate them.
• Correspond with army units, the Western Front Command, and the Ministry of Interior to report the situation and receive instructions.
• Communicate army directives to all detachments, coordinate their actions, and complete the liberation campaign with minimal losses.
• Issue proclamations to enforce laws and establish the authority of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye in liberated areas.
• Ibrahim Ethem Bey successfully carried out these duties, preventing the burning of Balıkesir and the massacre of civilians.

Makbule Hanım from the Demirci Akıncıları (Demirci Subdistrict)

End of Duty and Farewell

With the arrival of the Second Army in Balıkesir, the duties of Ibrahim Ethem Bey and the Akıncı Detachments came to an end. On 30 September 1922, Ibrahim Ethem Bey issued a ten-point final proclamation titled “My Final Address and Sincere Complaints to My Mountain Comrades,” formally disbanding all Akıncı units. This proclamation contained both his gratitude and vital social and moral advice to the fighters as they returned to civilian life. It emphasized avoiding personal revenge, integrating into society, maintaining diligence, and supporting the families of martyrs.

Achievements and Contributions to the National Struggle

The contributions of Ibrahim Ethem Bey and the Demirci Akıncıları to the National Struggle include:

• Conducted guerrilla warfare within enemy territory for approximately 18 months.
• Inflicted significant human and material losses on the enemy (787 killed, 151 wounded, 190 captured, 2 light machine guns, 1 artillery piece, 191 rifles).
• Disrupted enemy coordination by cutting numerous communication lines.
• Saved countless villages and towns from destruction and burning.
• Established a governance system under the authority of the TBMM Government in a vast region, reinforcing Turkish presence, maintaining public order, and eliminating banditry.
• Maintained their organization under harsh mountainous conditions and continued resistance until the enemy was exhausted.
• Played a vital role in the ultimate victory of the Turkish National Struggle.