THE FRENCH BATTALION TAKEN CAPTIVE IN THE KARBOGAZ WAR AND THE LOST FLAG ISSUE

Abstract

Pozantı, which had a very strategic importance in ensuring the holding of the Çukurova region after World War I, was occupied by a fortified battalion commanded by Major Mesnil, also known as the "Hero of the Verdün" on December 27, 1918. After the organization of the National Forces in Adana, it was not desired to allow a place of such strategic importance to remain under French occupation. As a result of the siege of Pozantı, Major Mesnil had to leave Pozantı with his battalion. The French battalion, which had lost over 200 people as a result of the ambush established in the Karbogaz by the National Forces, had to be surrendered with 23 officers and 650 soldiers. This victory, which was achieved with a force of 40 people in the history of National Struggle, confronted Ahmet Remzi Bey (Yüreğir), the owner of the New Adana Newspaper in the Republican period and Ferid Celal Bey, the owner of the Turkish Word Newspaper. The article titled "Flag of Mesnil Battalion" in the Turkish Word Newspaper, one of these two newspapers, which were directed against mutual accusations in different subjects and the claim that a French battalion flag was sold to the French by Ahmet Remzi Bey, brought the issue to a different dimension. The aim of this claim is to discredit Ahmet Remzi Bey in the public eye. The discussions attracted the attention of the public, politicians and the people were busy with the Battalion Flag issue for a long time and the problem was brought to court. the Battalion Flag discussion, which started with news dated 13 July 1930, continued until 15 January 1932, when the Adana Criminal Court of First Instance decided. In this study, instead of examining all the allegations and accusations between two newspapers, only the fate of the French Battalion Flag was tried to be revealed. In the study, as the primary source, the Turkish Word and the New Adana Newspapers and the memoirs of the persons who took part in the witnesses of the incident were utilized.

There is no study that would require Ethical Commitee approval in this article.