The Mim Mim Intelligence Group played a significant role in the Turkish independence movement as a secret resistance organization operating in Istanbul during the Turkish National Struggle period, undertaking intelligence, propaganda, and the shipment of weapons and ammunition to Anatolia. Taking its name from the initial letters of the Müdafaa-i Millîye Organization, this group was established to support the national struggle in Anatolia and continued its activities by reorganizing under difficult conditions after the occupation of Istanbul.

Establishment and Structure

Born from within the Müdafaa-i Millîye Organization, which was founded in April-May 1920 in the Topkapı district of Istanbul, the Mim Mim Group primarily operated in the fields of intelligence and logistics. Topkapılı Mehmet Bey, a prominent figure from the Topkapı Branch of the Karakol Society, played an important role in its establishment. Mehmet Bey had served in the Teşkilat-ı Mahsusa, an intelligence organization during the Committee of Union and Progress era, and the Karakol Society. However, after the occupation of Istanbul, the organization lost its effectiveness due to the arrest of its members and the suppression of the city. During this period, with the support of the Ankara Government and under the guidance of Fevzi (Çakmak) Pasha, upon the recall of Hüsamettin (Ertürk) Bey, the last head of Teşkilat-ı Mahsusa, to Anatolia, the Mim Mim Intelligence Group was reactivated through the cooperation of Hüsamettin Bey and Topkapılı Mehmet Bey.

The group's structure consisted of important military and civilian figures such as Topkapılı Cambaz Mehmet Bey, Captain Emin Ali Bey, First Lieutenant Muhlis Bey, and Governor Kemal (Koçer) Bey; Cavalry Colonel Esat Bey was appointed as its head. However, disagreements over leadership arose within the group; although Hüsamettin Bey was accepted as the leader by Ankara, Topkapılı Mehmet Bey was recognized in Istanbul as "Nazım-ı Umur," meaning the organizer of affairs.

Activities

The Mim Mim Intelligence Group carried out multifaceted activities in occupied Istanbul. In addition to propaganda and intelligence activities, it organized the shipment of weapons and ammunition to Anatolia; it collected critical information about the British, French, and Italian occupation forces and transmitted it to the national forces. Furthermore, effective work was carried out, such as identifying and reporting spies of the occupying powers in Istanbul to Ankara, tracking pro-Caliphate societies through their agents, and utilizing the conflicts between these structures in favor of the national struggle.

The group established an information network using agents from various segments of society (journalists, politicians, teachers, etc.); agents sometimes disguised themselves as workers, beggars, or printers to collect news. Encrypted telegrams and alternative cipher systems were used in intelligence-gathering activities. One of the pieces of information collected by the Mim Mim Intelligence Group was the seizure of a report sent by General Harrington, Commander of the Istanbul Occupation Forces, to the British War Ministry. This report contained observations about the situation in Istanbul and the Kuvâ-yi Milliye movement, providing a strategic advantage to the national struggle.

Internal Conflicts and Political Struggles

The disagreements over the leadership of the group constituted a significant source of tension in its internal dynamics. Ankara's acceptance of Hüsamettin Bey as the leader and Topkapılı Mehmet Bey's role as the organizer of affairs in Istanbul caused confusion in the group's hierarchy. Furthermore, severe conflicts occasionally arose between the Mim Mim Intelligence Group and other secret organizations in Istanbul due to differing political views and struggles for power and position. These conflicts became particularly evident during the Istanbul by-elections; while the Mim Mim Intelligence Group supported Nurettin Pasha's election, some other members of the Müdafaa-i Millîye supported rival candidates. The opposition during this election process highlighted the extent of tensions within and outside the group.

General Harrington's Report

One of the most remarkable activities of the Mim Mim Intelligence Group was the seizure of the report prepared by General Harrington, Commander of the Istanbul Occupation Forces, to be sent to the British War Ministry. In this secret report, Harrington conveyed developments during the occupation and his thoughts on the Kuvâ-yi Milliye movement.

The report stated that in the winter of 1920 and spring of 1921, British forces began to dominate the situation in Istanbul, but with the strengthening of the Turkish army, it gained the power to drive the Greek army out of Anatolia and expel the allies from Istanbul. It also emphasized that Greek army commanders were inexperienced and therefore British plans did not receive sufficient support, while the Turkish army achieved success through disciplined and patriotic leaders.

The delivery of this report to Ankara provided the national forces with a critical advantage regarding the situation and plans of the British occupation forces and initiated serious debates in the British public opinion about the sustainability of the occupation in Istanbul.

The Mim Mim Intelligence Group carried out systematic intelligence gathering, developing encrypted telegrams and alternative cipher systems used for communication with the General Staff of the General Staff (EHUR).

Disbandment

The activities of the Mim Mim Intelligence Group were officially approved by the Ankara Government on May 3, 1921, becoming an important part of the National Struggle. However, during the establishment process of the Republic of Türkiye, the group was officially dissolved on October 5, 1923.