The Middle
East was a politically charged region after World War One: Turkey, an
Axis ally, was punished by the victorious Allies in the Treaty of Sevres,
and the region was parceled out according to the economic and political
interests of the victors. Greece was awarded Turkish land in the west,
which included the exquisite city of Smyrna, while the Allied powers
- Italy, Britain, America, etc. - jockeyed for economic superiority
-- and particularly for future oil rights -- in the region.
This reallocation precipitated the Greek and Turkish war that ensued, and galvanized a new Turkish independence movement led by the young General Mustafa Kemal. Although the initial Greek advances were successful, Kemal reorganized his army, counterattacked, and defeated the Greeks. By mid-September of 1922, the destroyed remnants of the Greek army and government had abandoned Smyrna.
As the Turkish forces systematically worked toward the city, it became clear that the native communities of Armenians, Greeks, and Jews were in danger. There were communities of Jewish refugees who had been living in Smyrna under the Ottomans. There had also been a great influx of Greeks after World War I. An ultimatum was issued for all non-Turks to leave Smyrna immediately. Foreign governments with ships picked up their citizens. Soon, huge fires were set in the Armenian and Greek neighborhoods. Thousands streamed toward the city wharf to escape.
Asa Jennings, a YMCA volunteer safely ensconced in the American section at the YMCA, evacuated his family, but stayed behind to aid the refugees. He soon realized that the evacuees were trapped on the docks between the water and the approaching army.
***
Jennings managed to hike through the Greek and Turkish lines at night to meet with Mustafa Kemal. As they talked, Jennings' convictions so impressed the legendary general that he extended the deadline for the evacuation of Smyrna until the end of September.
The situation in Smyrna, however, worsened. The fires gutted the city, and ominous black towers of smoke could be seen for over sixty miles. Nearly 350,000 refugees were overflowing the docks, and in the anarchy, hundreds were raped, mutilated, or killed.
Having obtained Kemal's permission, Jennings contacted the Greek government but was rebuffed. Determined, he continued the search for a means of rescue by contacting American, British, and Italian fleet commanders. The Americans and British, with their eye on future oil prospects in the region, refused, so that they might not violate their neutrality and offend the Turkish government. On the wharf, hundreds of refugees jumped in the water and attempted to swim to the warships in the bay, but most perished. Jennings finally persuaded an Italian captain to take on some refugees. He paid for the fees for over a thousand survivors, and personally assisted in the evacuation from Smyrna.
***
When Jennings accompanied the Italian rescue ship to Mytelene (Lesvos) - the closest Greek island - his ship passed a fleet of over thirty Greek ships in the harbor. These vessels had been used to evacuate the Greek army weeks ago, and were now sitting at anchor in the bay. Jennings boarded the battleship Kilkis (formerly the USS Mississippi) and convinced the ship captain to allow him to contact the Greek Prime Minister. The government was on the verge of collapse from their humiliating defeat at the hands of the Turks, and declined to help. Jennings threatened to send an uncoded cable to the world press relating the government's refusal to allow rescue ships to be sent to Smyrna. This finally embarrassed the Prime Minister into allowing the idle fleet of boats to be released -- provided that Jennings personally take command of the ships.
Although seasick throughout the trip, "Admiral" Jennings and his flotilla eventually took over 300,000 desperate people to safety. It must be noted though, that this was a bittersweet gain. Most of these refugees were women and children, as the men were generally not allowed to board, and families were tragically torn apart.
***
The will and determination of Asa Jennings was so uncompromising that both the Greek and Turkish governments were astonished by the extent of his success. They mutually appointed him defacto ambassador and he further negotiated the exchange of over a million additional Greeks and Armenians from Turkey.
***
We live in a world so ponderous, so overwhelming, we sometimes wonder if we can make a difference.
Asa Jennings proved one heroic act can save the lives of thousands in the face of impossible odds.
One individual can change the course of history.
This reallocation precipitated the Greek and Turkish war that ensued, and galvanized a new Turkish independence movement led by the young General Mustafa Kemal. Although the initial Greek advances were successful, Kemal reorganized his army, counterattacked, and defeated the Greeks. By mid-September of 1922, the destroyed remnants of the Greek army and government had abandoned Smyrna.
As the Turkish forces systematically worked toward the city, it became clear that the native communities of Armenians, Greeks, and Jews were in danger. There were communities of Jewish refugees who had been living in Smyrna under the Ottomans. There had also been a great influx of Greeks after World War I. An ultimatum was issued for all non-Turks to leave Smyrna immediately. Foreign governments with ships picked up their citizens. Soon, huge fires were set in the Armenian and Greek neighborhoods. Thousands streamed toward the city wharf to escape.
Asa Jennings, a YMCA volunteer safely ensconced in the American section at the YMCA, evacuated his family, but stayed behind to aid the refugees. He soon realized that the evacuees were trapped on the docks between the water and the approaching army.
***
Jennings managed to hike through the Greek and Turkish lines at night to meet with Mustafa Kemal. As they talked, Jennings' convictions so impressed the legendary general that he extended the deadline for the evacuation of Smyrna until the end of September.
The situation in Smyrna, however, worsened. The fires gutted the city, and ominous black towers of smoke could be seen for over sixty miles. Nearly 350,000 refugees were overflowing the docks, and in the anarchy, hundreds were raped, mutilated, or killed.
Having obtained Kemal's permission, Jennings contacted the Greek government but was rebuffed. Determined, he continued the search for a means of rescue by contacting American, British, and Italian fleet commanders. The Americans and British, with their eye on future oil prospects in the region, refused, so that they might not violate their neutrality and offend the Turkish government. On the wharf, hundreds of refugees jumped in the water and attempted to swim to the warships in the bay, but most perished. Jennings finally persuaded an Italian captain to take on some refugees. He paid for the fees for over a thousand survivors, and personally assisted in the evacuation from Smyrna.
***
When Jennings accompanied the Italian rescue ship to Mytelene (Lesvos) - the closest Greek island - his ship passed a fleet of over thirty Greek ships in the harbor. These vessels had been used to evacuate the Greek army weeks ago, and were now sitting at anchor in the bay. Jennings boarded the battleship Kilkis (formerly the USS Mississippi) and convinced the ship captain to allow him to contact the Greek Prime Minister. The government was on the verge of collapse from their humiliating defeat at the hands of the Turks, and declined to help. Jennings threatened to send an uncoded cable to the world press relating the government's refusal to allow rescue ships to be sent to Smyrna. This finally embarrassed the Prime Minister into allowing the idle fleet of boats to be released -- provided that Jennings personally take command of the ships.
Although seasick throughout the trip, "Admiral" Jennings and his flotilla eventually took over 300,000 desperate people to safety. It must be noted though, that this was a bittersweet gain. Most of these refugees were women and children, as the men were generally not allowed to board, and families were tragically torn apart.
***
The will and determination of Asa Jennings was so uncompromising that both the Greek and Turkish governments were astonished by the extent of his success. They mutually appointed him defacto ambassador and he further negotiated the exchange of over a million additional Greeks and Armenians from Turkey.
***
We live in a world so ponderous, so overwhelming, we sometimes wonder if we can make a difference.
Asa Jennings proved one heroic act can save the lives of thousands in the face of impossible odds.
One individual can change the course of history.