Battle of Kanlı Geçit

The Battle of Kanlı Geçit was a battle between Turkish National Forces and the French Third Republic during the Franco-Turkish War. The battle ended with a Turkish victory on November 1, 1920.

Battle of Kanlı Geçit
Part of the Franco-Turkish War
Disposition of the French and Turkish forces during the battle.
Date 1 November 1920 Location Kanlı Geçit ("Bloody Gateway") Result Turkish victory
Belligerents
National Forces	France
Commanders and leaders
Tufan Bey	Unknown
Strength
1000 Kuva-yi Milliye militias [1][2]	over 3500 soldiers
Casualties and losses
Unknown	1050 killed

Cause

French interest in the region was sparked by the Sykes-Picot Agreement, signed amidst World War I.

Battle

By November 1, 1920 various forces were scattered in national detachments within in the town of Osmaniye, but in the morning hours a large part of the French force advanced to Mamure railway station without suffering any resistance from the 1000 Kuva-yi Milliye militias. French forces advancing in the direction of "the bell" were met with resistance but continued to advance towards Kanlı Geçit also referred to as "the Bloody Gateway." By noon, all French forces had reached the Blood Alley-Mamure railway line. Turkish forces from Osmaniye were able to retreat to Yarpuz, 20 km away. Turkish Forces from Ceyhan retreated to the northern bank of the Ceyhan River with a portion of the platoon beginning to move towards Kadirli.

French forces north of the Ceyhan River and east of the starting offensive, were placed under intense fire by Turkish forces. This fire was continued against French forces east of the Ceyhan River resulting in heavy casualties. As a result French forces there were repelled.

After the Battle

By November 2, 1920, there has not yet been another serious conflict. With French forces continuing to collect at "Blood Alley-Mamure", Turkish troops rapidly began to consolidate at the "Blood Alley zone" along with 500 Kadirli platoon command "Aydınoğlu Mr. Flood", arriving to Haruniye.

Attacks from both sides ceased during the consolidation of Turkish and French forces at "Bloody Gateway." However, on the morning of November 8, 1920 the French began to fire on Turkish forces. In addition to ground fire, Turkish forces were also assaulted by French aircraft passing overhead. During this early morning attack, the French captured the high positions of the Turkish forces, but by evening these positions were taken back by the Turkish. During this attack the French managed to occupy a hill, where they then spent the night.

The following morning of November 9, 1920 the French began an extensive and intense offense against the Turkish Forces in Kabaktepe. This french offensive continued until the evening. At 12:00am on November 10, French forces in Kabaktepe were seized after which the French offensive and their captured territory had been reduced to "Islahiye Hasanbeyli, Square-i Ekbez" and "Gaziantep-Kilis."

References

1. Türk-Fransız mücadelesi: Orta Toros geçitleri, 1915-1921, Süleyman Hatipoğlu, page 83 (in Turkish)
2. Website of Gülek municipality, Karboğazı Savaşı (Battle of Karboğazı) (in Turkish) Archived 2014-07-14 at the Wayback Machine