MAHMUT CEL？L (BAYAR) BEY’S ACTIVITIES UNDER THE NAME OF “GALIP HODJA” DURING THE NATIONAL WAR OF LIBERATION

To resist the Greek invasion of ？zmir, Mahmut Celal Bey undertook an important role in the foundation of ？zmir Müdafaa-i Hukuk-？ Osmaniye Cemiyeti (Ottoman Countrywide Resistance Organisation of ？zmir). However, he left ？zmir due to the fact that he realised that the Organisation could not fight against the invasion and he was informed that he would be arrested. Mahmut Celal Bey, who was the Secretary in Charge of the Party of ？ttihat and Terakki F？rkas？ (Union and Progress), took part in the War of Independence under the name of “Galip Hodja” to be able to carry out his fight without being affected by the enmity towards Unionism. As the first thing, with G？k？en Efe, he started his armed resistance against the Greek invasion. Later on, gaining his trust, he became a counsellor to Demirci Mehmet Efe. By travelling around in the region under the name of Hodja, he tried to get the people’s support for the National War of Liberation and played an important role in resolving the conflicts between the national warriors (efe) in the region. Thus, the trust felt in him increased and the National War of Liberation grew stronger. While under the influence of the visit paid by Ali Kemal Pasha, the General Commander of Gendarmerie, Demirci Mehmet Efe submitted himself to the Government in Istanbul, Nationalist Forces in Ayd？n lost efficiency to a great extent. Many Unionists were arrested, and Galip Hodja’s (whose real identity was unveiled) relationship with Demirci Mehmet Efe deteriorated. Galip Hodja, thinking that it would be impossible for them to work together from then on, he left Ayd？n accepting the post of the Commander of Akhisar National Regiment. In his new post, as the circumstances that required him to take the name Galip Hodja disappeared, he continued his part in the National War of Liberation in his real identity