occupation of Istanbul

Overview

The occupation of Constantinople, the capital of the Ottoman Empire, by British, French, Italian, and Greek forces, took place in accordance with the Armistice of Mudros, which ended Ottoman participation in the First World War. The first French troops entered the city on 12 November 1918, followed by British troops the next day. The Italian troops landed in Galata on 7 February 1919.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The occupation of Constantinople enacted a key provision of the Armistice of Mudros, which had ended Ottoman participation in the First World War. British, French, Italian, and Greek forces took control of the Ottoman capital in a sequenced entry beginning 12 November 1918, placing the seat of Ottoman imperial power under Allied authority. The occupation signaled the effective collapse of Ottoman military resistance and opened the way for the postwar partition and reorganization of Ottoman territories. As the capital fell under multi-power administration, the political future of the empire became subject to Allied determination rather than Ottoman agency.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (8)