The tragic death of the De Jonghs

After the liberation of Izmir from the occupation, on September 10, the Turkish Army and some gangs that took advantage of the turmoil and acted separately from the army headed for Kızılçullu. The real fear is not the regular Turkish Army, but the irregular gangs involved in the looting. Kızılçullu and Buca have not yet been brought under control. Although many Levantines and Greeks left Buca, some members of the De Jongh family thought they would be safe in Buca.

Edward De Jongh states in his memoirs that his grandfather told his son Henry to move into the big house for safety. According to Edward, with the approach of Turkish gangs, his grandfather wants them to leave the farm and go home. Arriving at the house, the De Jongh family quickly begins to pack their belongings. They stay at home for two days. On September 10, irregular gangs entered Buca and captured a Greek girl. The Greek girl works as a maid in the house of the De Jongh family. Oscar De Jongh and his wife Cleo De Jongh are killed while trying to save the young girl. Edward's grandfather then decides that the whole family should leave Turkey. They went to Malta two days before the Izmir Fire.

Alexander Machlachlan, President of the American College, also mentions the death of the De Jongh family in his memoirs. Machlachlan, who set out for Buca after the conflict in Kızılçullu, mentions that there was a great silence when he entered Buca. He then heads towards the Greek Orphanage. Meanwhile, he sees the lifeless bodies of the De Jongh couple, whom he has known for thirty years. According to Machlachlan, while Turkish forces were patrolling the upper neighborhood of Buca, gunfire was heard and they responded. Meanwhile, the De Jongh couple, who was there as well as some Greek civilians, also lost their lives.

Translated from English interviews to Turkish:

http://levantineheritage.com/testi21.htm

http://www.levantineheritage.com/note14.htm