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Photo Album 1
Smyrna 1919
by Konstantinos Chatzikyriakos
On May 1919, the Supreme Council of the Paris Peace Commission endorsed the Greek army’s landing at Smyrna and the establishment of a Greek administrative zone.
Aegean islands of Imvros and Tenedos, eastern Thrace (but not Constantinople) and the entire Smyrna district of western Anatolia (or Asia Minor) ceded to Greece.
Turkey ceded Lebanon and Syria to France (French Army also acquired Cilicia on 1st Jan 1919). Cyprus, Palestine, Trans-Jordan, and Iraq were ceded to Britain; The Dodecanese Islands of Aegean Sea (with Rhodes as their capital) were conceded to Italy (also, the city of Antalya was recognized as Italian territory from 29 Apr 1919).
In the following years until 1922, Smyrna was the largest commercial port on the Asia Minor coast and one of the most popular destinations in the world. Its population was about 500,000. Roughly 43% were Turkish Muslims, 45% were Greek and Armenian Christians, 6% were Jews, and 5% were foreigners. The Greek and Armenian populations had deep roots in Smyrna going back to 4 millennia. However, in this populous city, many years before the landing of the Greek army the Christian population had gone through many persecutions and assaults by the Ottoman Turks, forcing thousands of Greeks and Armenians to flock together abandoning their residences. In spite of these difficulties many owned successful and long-established businesses. Others were professionals, artists and educators. They had a thriving cultural life.
(click the button below to see the pictures)
| No: | Thumbnail: | Original Size of the picture: | Description: |
| 1 |
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587x543 | Girls of Smyrna celebrating the liberation of the City, 1919. |
| 2 |
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581x369 |
Battleship Averof in Constantinople,1919. Oil painting by Aimilios Prosalentis. |
| 3 |
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683x459 |
Custom House & Port Authority building of Smyrna. The picture is dated around 1920. |
| 4 |
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478x320 |
Citizens of Smyrna visit the destroyer "Leon", the first Greek ship arrived at the harbor of Smyrna. 28th of December 1918. |
| 5 |
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490x334 |
The Greek fleet at the harbor of Smyrna. The Battleship "Lemnos" has its own predominant position. |
| 6 |
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848x1136 |
Officers, NCOs and sailors on the hospital ship "Amphitrite", arrived at the Port of Smyrna on 20th January 1919 |
| 7 |
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148x235 |
Vassilios Tsounoukas, Chief Medical Officer on hospital ship "Amphitrite". |
| 8 |
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510x396 |
Landing of the 1/38 Evzonic Regiment at the quay of Smyrna, 1919 |
| 9 |
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313x237 |
The Evzonic Regiment in Smyrna roads |
| 10 |
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399x199 |
The High Commissioner of Smyrna Aristides Stergiadis welcomes Chief General Leonidas Paraskevopoulos |
| 11 |
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481x668 |
Chief General Leonidas Paraskeuopoulos speaks to the people of Smyrna from the balcony of the Metropolitan mansion |
| 12 |
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513x388 |
Smyrna 1919. Parade of the 1st Greek Division at the platform of the city. |
| 13 |
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342x216 |
Recruits taking the Oath in front of Chief General Leonida Paraskevopoulo |
| 14 |
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407x340 |
Celebration at the Stadium of Panionios Sport Club |
| 15 |
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395x306 |
Sanctification at the Stadium of Panionios Sport Club |
| 16 |
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364x239 |
Smyrna 1919. Barracking of the Greek Army. |
| 17 |
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300x238 | The Greek Administration in Smyrna organized corps of Gendarmerie and a relevant school. In the photograph gendarmes in front of the school's buildings used as barracks. |
| 18 |
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500x234 | Panorama view of the harbor of Smyrna and the barracks. |
| 19 |
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500x376 | View of the Inner Harbor of Smyrna. |
| 20 |
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500x526 | Landing of Greek soldiers at he docks. Smyrna, 1919 |
| 21 |
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1606x1093 | Thousands of people in commercial streets of Smyrna celebrate the liberation of the city and the landing of the Greek Army. |
| 22 |
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676x465 | Another commercial street of Smyrna with many Greek stores. |
| 23 |
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708x433 |
View of Smyrna, 1919. |
| 24 |
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251x407 |
Bank of East, Smyrna 1919 |
| 25 |
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252x298 |
The seashore road leading to the Government House square, Smyrna 1919. |
| 26 |
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1606x1093 |
Ephesus, 1919. After the prosecutions made by the Turks, the remaining inhabitants of the city wait for the arrival of the Greek liberation Army. |
| 27 |
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1606x1093 |
Ephesus, 1919. General Vlahopoulos pays attention of the President of the Greek Community in Ephesus to deliver his enthusiastic speech, after the hoist of the Greek flag. |
| 28 |
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300x187 | Parade of Greek privates in Ahmetli after its recapture in June 1919 |
| 29 |
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398x244 | The founding committee of the Jewish scouts in Smyrna,16-8-19 |
| 30 |
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686x844 | Map of Smyrna with the political influence and commercial zones before the fire. During 20's the city comprised of the following five major ethnic quarters: Hellenic, Armenian, Jew, Turkish and Italian |
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