World War I ended in the autumn of 1918. Having sided with the victors, Greece endeavoured to settle territorial claims in the Balkans (Thrace) and Asia Minor (in the area around Smyrna). Greek army divisions participated in the somewhat opportunistic Ukraine Campaign organised by the British and French against the Bolshevist regime in southern Russia.
In the wake of failure, in May 1919 the Greek army landed at Smyrna on the orders of the Peace Council, charged with guaranteeing peace and the rule of order in the area. Yet its presence in Asia Minor stirred up national feeling among the Turkish population. Thus began yet another major military misadventure, which was to be most tragic in this period. In August 1922, the Turkish army under Kemal Ataturk launched its counter-offensive. The defeat of the Greeks brought with it the uprooting of Asia Minor Hellenism.