ATATURK AND AVIATION

In 1903, after the first plane took off and embraced the skies, the concept of the homeland, which had been defined as a land and sea section until then, did not fit this definition.

Airplanes, flight techniques developed so rapidly that air power had a decisive influence on the outcome of the First World War, which began in 1913. Classical war strategy and tactical principles also lost their value, and new ways and methods of warfare emerged.

From time to time, aviation issues and the memories of those who experienced the events were widely covered in the famous magazines of western countries. The aim of this was undoubtedly to provide useful resources for those dealing with aviation history, and to encourage the young generation to be trained in aviation. In our country, it was considered beneficial to raise knowledgeable and enthusiastic young people in this field and to create a conscious environment.

I wanted to publish what I have gathered in order to contribute to a comprehensive research on the history and development of Turkish aviation by identifying the memories of people who lived in that era, and to help young people who will be interested in this subject in the future.

Important Role

Mustafa Kemal was tasked with watching the great Picardie Maneuvers in France in 1910 with his friend Fethi Bey (Okyar) on behalf of the Ottoman Empire, together with the staffs of foreign countries. Cumhuriyet Newspaper writer Abidin Daver describes the meeting he had with Mustafa Kemal in Paris at that time: I met Mustafa Kemal in Luna Park in Paris in September 1910. Fethi Bey was with him. A while ago, as I knew that they were watching the maneuvers of the French army in Picardie, I asked him about his impressions of the maneuvers, out of military curiosity since I was a child. He summarized his view as follows: “Airplanes will play an important role in the war. French field artillery is excellent, but French infantry in their red trousers makes a very good target. french army,

Aviation was only just beginning then. It was only used for observation services in very favorable weather conditions. I must admit that I did not believe that Mustafa Kemal's views on aviation were correct. Four years later, the decisive impact of air power was seen in the First World War. In an age when aviation was just beginning to sprout, Atatürk, who saw the importance and future of the sovereignty of the sky and adopted it, was not wrong in his views and thoughts.

Establishment of Turkish Aircraft Society

Mustafa Kemal sensed that aviation would develop rapidly, and warned those concerned about it. Necessary initiatives are taken without delay in order to ensure the development and strengthening of Turkish aviation. Our Republic i. The Turkish Aircraft Society was established in a house in Ankara's Hacıbayram district (February 16, 1925) and started to serve at the national level. The name of the organization is changed to Turkish Aeronautical Association (THK) after the letter revolution.

The institution develops in a very short time as a result of its hard and virtuous work and gains appreciation, love and trust at the national level; imposes its existence on society.

Atatürk explains his views on aviation as follows:  “The future is in the skies. Nations that cannot protect their skies can never be sure of their future.”. This definitive judgment of Atatürk is the truth itself. In these years, aviation was just born, experiencing a period of development. The atom was not split, the hydrogen bomb was not even imagined. There is no thought of going to the moon or planets. However, the flow of civilization, the fast pace of science and technology force nations to look for their future in the skies. The trick was to see this development by anticipation in those days. Atatürk was explaining the future to his nation with this warning. In his opening speech at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on November 1, 1924, Atatürk also included the aviation issue of the country: “When I talk about homeland defense, I draw the attention and attention of the Supreme Assembly to the air force, which has an important and effective quality in the military field. ”

The first article in the statute of THK, which takes charge in aviation at the national level, is as follows: To tell the Turkish nation and especially the Turkish youth the great importance of aviation in the civil and military fields, to awaken the love of aviation, to emphasize its importance in homeland defense, to assist aviation in every field.

Atatürk also mentioned aviation in his speeches at the meeting of the Teachers' Union in Bursa on June 8, 1926:  "The Turkish nation's understanding of the need to strengthen our air force and its valuable assistance is the greatest proof of its attainment of political civilization. The Turkish Aircraft Society, which guides the nation in this area, I appreciate your work. I am sure that the citizens will make an effort to ensure that the meetings held in various parts of our country for the Association to find a fixed and definite income will result in a beneficial outcome”. Before Atatürk ends his speech, he gives the most important task to the Organization with the following words: “ ...  The Association's work is important in promoting and popularizing aviation in the society, as well as encouraging the youth to become enthusiastic.”

Atatürk was not mistaken in his trust in his citizens. It is noteworthy that the flow of goods and monetary donations, investments and national aid, and the proliferation of aircraft fleets bearing the names of provinces and districts written on the fuselages of the aircraft. The airplane, which even surrounds the villages, shows that the passion for flying has developed and the love of aviation has been adopted by the society. Maintaining the interest of the society without extinguishing the fire of love for aviation was the important task of the Institution. By intensifying his meticulous work for this, he has ensured that knowledgeable and talented sons are brought up in the country.

I am summarizing the mother of the pilot Vecihi Hürkuş, who served invaluable services to the Institution in its developmental age: The main charter of the Turkish Aircraft Society was presented to the higher authorities in 1924, with the form prepared by the Turkish Air Force General Inspectorate and with the contingent reason, and it was written by the great Atatürk. With a memorandum prepared by Bolu Deputy Cevat Abbas, it was submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly in addition to its directives.

Anadolu Agency's 24 bulletin states: “The first school plane purchased by the Turkish Aircraft Society, flew twice over Istanbul today and was greeted by all the ferries in the port by constantly blowing their whistles. The school plane flew very low over the city and was eagerly followed by the public.”

With the flights I made over Istanbul, I was throwing confetti inviting our people to help the Turkish Aircraft Society, and meanwhile, I wanted to direct our youth to aviation. In addition to the large-scale nautical competitions program organized by the Istanbul branch of the Institution for the benefit of the Institution, the announcement of the demonstration flight to be made with the Ceyhan aircraft to the public attracted a great deal of attention in the city. The people of Istanbul had a very joyful day that day. Such demonstrations yielded effective and beneficial results in terms of donations to the Institution.

On September 21, 1925, I started flight training as a technical program application. I started working on the dual-control aircraft with the six current students. With this training that lasted for one week, I saw that almost every one of my students flew 30 times and gained control of the aircraft. I am proud and honored by the concepts, talents and achievements of my students.

This Nation Makes

A childhood memory of Turan Altıok:

We watch Atatürk lay the foundations of civil aviation throughout the country by guiding the nation by founding the Turkish Aircraft Society in 1925. While I was digging through my memories recently, I came across seven photos in a heirloom album. These faded, barely recognizable photographs symbolized Anatolia's aviation history and a piece of its creators. The date on the back of the photograph shows August 30, 1931, with an airplane visible on the obverse among a large crowd of people. I looked deeply at the photos and articles. DÜZCE writing on the plane, next to it, officers, non-commissioned officers, privates, civilians and dignitaries of Düzce, two officers holding flower bouquets and a little child! Yes, that kid was me and I finished primary school that year. As seen in another photo, my father inside the plane, He was giving a speech as the President of the Duzce Branch of the Aeronautical Association. Great applause after these calls that remained in my child's memory and in my ears; The people of Düzce, who happily congratulate each other, and their enthusiasm for the national consciousness of the 1930s-1931s are still fresh.

Our citizens will make all kinds of material and moral contributions to the works aimed at this purpose for the establishment, rooting and development of civil aviation in Turkey. I recall and repeat: “This nation is virtuous. This nation does; And whatever he does, he does well.” 2

The Foundation of Türkkuşu

Let's follow the importance Turks attached to aviation and how Türkkuşu was founded from the memories of Sabiha Gökçen, Atatürk's adopted daughter, in his book titled A Life Passed in Atatürk's Footsteps: “Gazi Pasha devoted himself to intense work. He bent with all his might to the subject on which the whole world was concerned. He believed that the future would be in the heavens. He focused on the subject all the way back in 1925 and founded the Turkish Aircraft Society on February 16, 1925. Aviation had become one of his greatest passions. He was following all foreign publications related to aviation and was trying to put the developments in this field into practice in Turkey without delay. According to him, the greatest developments that would come into the service of humanity would be in the field of aviation. In fact, the day would come when human beings would go to outer space, to other worlds, and even conquer the Moon and similar planets. And these modern wars would be won by the nations that were superior in the heavens. Although aviation technique was a very expensive technique, it was essential for civilized and modern Turkey to make this stage for its future. Gazi Pasha was encouraging young people to aviation with his speeches. In the meantime, necessary studies on aviation continued. Those who saw this as a fantasy for post-war Turkey would realize how wrong they were in the following years. Gazi did not regard any subject as a fantasy or a luxury for the Turkish nation. Whenever he had time, he would go to the Turkish Aircraft Society and get information about the studies. Miracles were created with the very poor budget of post-war Turkey, while the national consciousness was rising, Mustafa Kemal Pasha, the philanthropist he trusted so much for the Turkish Aircraft Society, He called upon his benevolent nation to help. The future is in the skies! when he said that, he wasn't just leaving it as a sign. This was a national goal. For this reason, it should not remain only in the field of ideas, in the field of sports. Larger investments had to be made in this regard, and modern aviation technology had to be brought to the country in its entirety. We should have built airplane factories, built our own airplanes, and not become needy one day; because the nations of the world were not expecting bright days in the future. The fate of the nations that could not defend their sky and lands with the steel wings they made would be disappointed. Our people, who believed in this issue, supported the Turkish Airplane Society with all their means. Gazi Pasha: “As long as we do not bring the newest technology to the country, we cannot avoid being dependent on foreign countries. For this too, On the one hand, we will be roasted with our own fat by tightening the belts as much as possible, and on the other hand, we will create new financial resources and bring the newest of modern technologies to our lands. We are establishing a new and young Turkey. We do not need the outdated technologies of friendly and hostile countries. Either we build the newest one and compete with them, or we wait a little longer and wait for us to reach the strength to do it.”

Since the excitement of Gazi Pasha never diminished, the subject of aviation was frequently on the agenda, while my ears were filled with these contemporary technology and aviation problems. I have now reached a certain age. I had to chart a clear path for myself. What would I be? I wanted to find a job where I could be successful. Let me admit right away that the subject of aviation never crossed my mind. Yes, I was boiling and excited when I saw the planes in our blue skies, but I did not feel the desire to manage those steel wings. Even if I heard such a request, there was no school that could raise me. In 1934, the surname law was passed. The surname that the nation deemed worthy of Gazi Pasha became Atatürk. As long as the name of the Turk exists, the name of Atatürk will live on. One night Atatürk asked:

"Tell me, Sabiha, what's your last name?" Everyone was looking at me:

"Whatever you order, sir!" I stammered; I was excited. After Atatürk put his hand on his chin and thought for a while on this answer:

"I would like to give you the surname of Atatürk's daughter, but..." he said, but he did not finish it. He took a pen and paper and wrote: Gökçen. After that night, I became Sabiha Gökçen. I don't know why they gave me this last name.

In those years, I had not started aviation yet, and I had not thought of becoming an aviator. I liked my last name, everyone called me Gökçen. About a year after Atatürk gave the surname Gökçen, I met the skies and started aviation.

No statesman or leader appreciated and glorified the women of his own country as much as Atatürk did, and showed no superhuman effort to take the place they deserved. In Turkish society, women took their own respectable place thanks to Atatürk and his reforms. He sincerely believed that our women and girls are the most talented, the best and the most virtuous people in the world. For this reason, he wanted to see them at every stage of life, in the middle of business life, working, succeeding and rising. He also trusted Turkish girls in aviation. It was as if the longing for the flying youth was breaking his heart with each passing day. He felt that there was a need for a school to realize this, and he started a new study day and night with the relevant people. When I witnessed these works from time to time, he would call me and ask: “Gökçen, Look, soon our young girls and boys will begin to wander in the skies. What do you think about this job?”, he would add without waiting for my answer: “A youth with wings is the greatest assurance for the future of the country. If one day the westerners are going to leave their footprints on the Moon, it is necessary to start working and make progress in order to find a Turk among them.”

As a result of Atatürk's intense and faithful work, the establishment and operation of a school related to aviation took place one day. His perseverance, steely will, and indomitable belief made this impossible happen in a short time. Türkkuşu, named after him, would now be at the disposal of the civil aviation youth. Here, our young people would learn to fly, use a glider, jump with a parachute, in short, everything related to aviation from the best teachers in a scientific way, by doing experiments.

On the morning of May 3, 1935, Atatürk got up very early, wore his favorite sports suit with pant trousers, and came to me with his cap. Happiness flowed from his face. To me:

“—Come on, Gökçen, we are going. Today is a feast day for us. It is also a holiday in which we will inaugurate an organization that we will be proud of in the future. We are opening Türkkuşu, a subordinate of the Turkish Aeronautical Association. We will train thousands, hundreds of thousands of young aviators there. Take Zehra, come together," he said. There was a huge crowd at the airport. The young were excited, the middle-aged were proud. When Atatürk came to the podium to make his opening speech, the crowd was moaning with applause. As Atatürk talked, I felt like I was getting wings. After the speech, there were glider flight demonstrations and parachute jumps. Watching these closely was really enchanting, driving you from excitement to excitement. I started to take an interest in aviation. Atatürk once bent over my ear and asked:

-“Gökçen, I see that you are very excited about these shows. Movements interested you a lot. How can you glide and parachute in such weather?" I shook my head and said:

"You are right, Pasha. I was really excited and really liked these shows. I wish I was in their place”. He smiled sweetly at my answer and said:

"I like your courage. After saying "Aviation would really suit his surname, Gökçen", he turned to the Chairman of the Turkish Aeronautical Association, Fuat Bulca, who was standing next to him and made the following suggestion:

-“Mr. Fuat, our Gokcen also wants to jump with a parachute. It is forged in an iron temper. If he wants to, then let him get started right away.” Mr. Fuat

It was one of the most beautiful and at the same time most dangerous professions. It required great discipline. The smallest mistake to be made, the smallest carelessness cannot be forgiven, people paid for it with their life. It is very difficult for me to express my passion for aviation in words here. This passion, this excitement, this fear, this happiness must be experienced personally. I can say that I learned to be calm, to have willpower, to use good judgment after I started aviation. When I returned to the mansion after these trainings, Atatürk would meet me at the door and ask: This happiness must be experienced by the person himself. I can say that I learned to be calm, to have willpower, to use good judgment after I started aviation. When I returned to the mansion after these trainings, Atatürk would meet me at the door and ask: This happiness must be experienced by the person himself. I can say that I learned to be calm, to have willpower, to use good judgment after I started aviation. When I returned to the mansion after these trainings, Atatürk would meet me at the door and ask:

-“Tell me about it, Gokcen. What did you do today, how did you feel?" I would tell excitedly about how I flew that day, what I did, down to the smallest details. Atatürk was not only listening to this from me, he was also getting information from my teachers and President Bulca. In the days when I was successful, Atatürk's face was really worth seeing. That's what happiness was for me. It was an indescribable happiness for a Turkish girl to be an aviator. I believed that He would do anything for me to be successful. At the table, he used to say to his friends:

-“You will see, Gökçen will be a flying girl that we will be proud of. One day I will fly him to Australia”.

In those years, I learned from this exceptional person that believing and trusting is as important as success. He believed, trusted, and then, without wasting any time, he rolled up his sleeves and took action. Of course, it was necessary to set out to finish the road. Mustafa Kemal Pasha knows best when and why to set out.

Server Ziya Gürevin, who witnessed Atatürk's speech at the airport on May 3, 1935, on the occasion of the inauguration of Türkkuşu for dormitory service, relates the event as follows: “The air surrounding us is suddenly mixed. We see Mustafa Kemal Atatürk advancing towards the lectern in the field. A wave of joy rises from the multitude of people that fill the plain because no one expects Him to speak. After a while, the pulpit takes on a majestic appearance. Now we can hear the sound of the steep mountain of Dumlupınar in our ears: “Ladies and gentlemen! Our world - you know - is made of earth, water and air. Aren't these the essential elements of life? The lack of one of these elements makes it impossible to experience not only the deficiency, but only the disorder. As with the lands and seas of the country that loves life, especially national life and wants to protect it, He should increase his interest in the air a little more every day. This interest comes from the dominance of the life elements I have mentioned. Nature spawned humans and made them worship. However, in order for people to live, he also made it necessary to dominate nature. Creatures that do not know how to dominate nature are unable to protect their existence. Nature did not hesitate to oppress, suffocate, destroy and cause them in its own elements. By showing his capacity to recognize this fact long ago, the Turk has made his land and its various products fertile for humanity with a comprehensive fertilization. Coşkun did not leave unbearable waves in the seas and opened the ways of culture that gave amplitude to humanity. However, in this age we live in, people are no longer alone on land and in the sea. They immersed themselves in the air existence of nature. for life, It has been realized that breathing air alone is not enough to live. Air dominance, which is necessary and real, has come to the fore. The Turkish nation should have taken its place in this field, which all nations are trying to establish with great importance. The government of the Republic of Turkey, while establishing our navy alongside our land army, did not fail to organize our air fleets with the latest aircraft. Our air officers and their commanders, whose personalities we are proud of, have also been trained. Our pilots are of high rank, always and in any case, will bring the nation to face. But friends, it wouldn't be right to see this as enough. It is necessary to broaden the aerial work according to the degree of importance it receives throughout the world. With this in mind, the Republican government has decided to make aviation the function of the whole nation. In the mountains, forests, plains of his homeland, He should be able to wander in the skies of his homeland in the same way as he walks and wanders in the seas, in every corner with the same knowledge and self-confidence. This starts with getting the Turk accustomed to racing in the atmosphere of the homeland with the homeland birds from his childhood. The reason that gathers us here today is that sacred initiation ceremony. Here, I would like to express my special gratitude to the government, Chief of General Staff Marshal and our dear friend Fuad (Bulca), Chairman of the Turkish Aeronautical Association, for his serious commitment to the development of aviation.

Turkish boy, you will fill your place in the sky, waiting for you at the highest level, in a short time, in aviation, as in every job. Our true friends will rejoice, and the Turkish nation will be happy.”

After finishing his speech, the shows of the planes are watched. Atatürk, who watched the aviators with enthusiasm and interest, could not take his eyes off the sky and often the following words came out of his lips:

-"Delicious!"

Jump!

The memory of Mr. Mustafa Emir regarding the opening of Türkkuşu: In 1935, at the Etimesgut Airport in Ankara, with the tenth anniversary of the Turkish Aeronautical Association; The opening of Türkkuşu was celebrated. State dignitaries, foreign embassy members and thousands of Ankara residents were there at this ceremony, which Atatürk also honored. When he finished his speech, which was highly applauded, and came to the prepared ceremonial tents, we managed to get out of the legs of the elders and snuggle up to within five meters. At that time, the demonstrations of our gliders began. Our aviators trained by two Russian teachers whose names I can't remember, gave beautiful flights and acrotim demonstrations. Mustafa Kemal, who watched all the performances calmly, got up and went out of the tent. Seeing this, the other elders followed him. Meanwhile, I had the opportunity to be closer to him. I could watch him from within two meters. He was waiting for a paratrooper to jump. The plane had come over the area, and our paratrooper was ready to jump on the wing. He tried, but couldn't jump. The plane flew away. A minute later he came back onto the field. We thought he was going to jump, but he couldn't jump again. This distressing situation repeated three or four times. Unfortunately, each time, the young man, clinging to the wing attachments, did not dare to jump. As the number of tours increased, the hopelessness increased, and the words "He will not be able to jump" were heard from right to left. When the plane came over the area, perhaps to make its last lap, Atatürk, who was standing still, raised his right hand and shouted: but he couldn't jump. The plane flew away. A minute later he came back onto the field. We thought he was going to jump, but he couldn't jump again. This distressing situation repeated three or four times. Unfortunately, each time, the young man, clinging to the wing attachments, did not dare to jump. As the number of tours increased, the hopelessness increased, and the words "He will not be able to jump" were heard from right to left. When the plane came over the area, perhaps to make its last lap, Atatürk, who was standing still, raised his right hand and shouted: but he couldn't jump. The plane flew away. A minute later he came back onto the field. We thought he was going to jump, but he couldn't jump again. This distressing situation repeated three or four times. Unfortunately, each time, the young man, clinging to the wing attachments, did not dare to jump. As the number of tours increased, the hopelessness increased, and the words "He will not be able to jump" were heard from right to left. When the plane came over the area, perhaps to make its last lap, Atatürk, who was standing still, raised his right hand and shouted:

-“Jump!"' At that moment, an object rolled into the void; A white parachute opened. The paratrooper had jumped. Atatürk passed away before the parachutist landed. 3

Sabiha Gökçen Hanım, who witnessed the event, made the following statement: “The glider teachers were Anohin and Romanof. At the opening ceremony held on May 3, 1935, there were no young people who had been trained in the school yet. For this reason, foreign teachers trained alone made a demonstration flight at the ceremony. As I recall, a volunteer from the School had made the jump. It can be thought that the parachutist who is not trained or does not have sufficient knowledge delays the jump for this reason”.

Ataturk Speaks from the Sky

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk went to Karlsbad for treatment on his return from Germany, with Crown Prince Vahdettin. In the book Atatürk and Turkish Aviation, I quote the subject written by Cemal Kutay as it is: Atatürk summarizes his air travels as follows in a letter he wrote to a very close friend from Karlsbad, where he was being treated: “A plane is a vehicle that covers all the qualities of our time. This vehicle seems to have eliminated the concept of distance. Considering its importance in terms of defense along with this feature, it is understood that it is not only a vehicle that saves time and pleasure, but also one of the vital values ​​of the country. I fly here whenever I can. These trips give me a lot of pleasure and benefit.”

This issue was also covered in an article titled Atatürk Speaks from the Sky in the 1939 issue of the Journal of Aviation and Sports. It caught my attention whether Atatürk really flew or not. In 1982, when Sabiha Gökçen Hanım's book titled Atatürk's Footsteps Passed Like This, many subjects were enlightened, but there was no information on the subject I mentioned.

Aviator pilot Sabiha Gökçen makes the following statement in her memories of Atatürk:

“I would like to touch on a subject that many people are interested in and want to learn. Why didn't Atatürk fly with me? It is a known fact that in those days, airplanes were not as developed as they are today, and the technical possibilities had not yet reached a sufficiently reassuring and positive level. For this reason, flights were not considered as completely safe as they are today. However, aviation was always developing at a very fast pace and breakthrough. The government of that time, in the face of these conditions and realities, was absolutely against Atatürk's boarding and flying, and was not in favor of them making a flight.

At my first meeting, I asked Ms. Gökçen the following question to satisfy my curiosity:

-“Ms. Gökçen, I read an article titled Atatürk Speaks from the Sky. Did Atatürk tell you about his flight or his flight impressions and made a statement?” They read the article covering the subject and answered my question as follows:

-“I don't think they made such a flight. Because Atatürk never flew in his life and he did not have an explanation about it. Atatürk wanted to fly very much. If they weren't sick, they would definitely fly."

Mustafa Kemal Pasha at Akşehir Air Base

I will tell you an incident experienced by our valuable teacher Hayri Öcal, one of the THY captain pilots: On 13 September 1921, the Western Front Command went to Akşehir after the Battle of Sakarya was won. All kinds of operations of the enemy were monitored with two active aircraft in the hands of the first aircraft company (there were also flights that remained on a single aircraft), and the information obtained from the surveillance was immediately conveyed to the front command. Thus, the scarcity of aircraft, lack of equipment and fuel, and the dedication, skill and courage of the aviators were rendered ineffective, and the mission was carried on without interruption. On July 2, 1922, we moved our air base from Akviran to Akşehir. In an agreement with the Italians, the fighter planes were purchased. The planes were brought to Konya in packaging via Mersin. The test pilots were making test flights of the assembled aircraft. When a pilot was requested from Akşehir, Commander Captain Fazıl gave me this task. On August 9, 1922, I left for Konya by train. The planes were Spat-type single-seat, French-made fighter planes. I took off from Konya on 13 August 1922 and landed at Akşehir base with the first plane I controlled.

It was one evening. Gazi Mustafa Kemal Pasha honored our unit by coming to our base. After my flight, which Gazi Pasha watched with interest and attentiveness, I was called to their side. Upon Kemal Pasha's questions, as far as I know, I made explanations about the technical features of the aircraft. They were satisfied with what I told them; They did not spare their compliments. A short time later, they assigned us aviators the following task:

Our reconnaissance planes, on the other hand, continued their observation flights in various parts of the front. As my tenure was about to end without incident, I noticed the flight of an airplane between Afyon and Çobanlar Station, in front of me and slightly below me. When I snuggled up next to him, mistaking it for ours, I realized it was an enemy reconnaissance plane. At that moment he saw me too, and immediately turned around and changed course. I immediately chased after him, attacked him and fired my machine gun. Since the gun jammed, I could only fire a few bullets. I corrected the machine gun and made a breakthrough on the plane again and opened fire. My machine jammed again and I fixed it again. I snatched my prey again and snuggled close to it and under the tail. Realizing the situation, the enemy plane made a vertical dive towards the ground and started to flee towards the Afyon base at the speed it took. Fifty meters from the ground, I made my last attack. While the Greek plane was landing on the base area with its nose pricked, I rose towards Dover at full throttle. While returning to my base via Afyon, I saw the broken condition of the plane I had watched on one side of the airport. When I returned to base, I was surprised to find that my plane had nine bullet holes in its propeller.

When the plane was purchased, it did not have a machine gun on it. Since the guns were hastily assembled, they were not well adjusted, so some of the bullets from my machine gun hit my propeller. Luckily, my propeller did not shatter right on the Opium enemy base.

On August 26, 1922, I took the job early and took off. The first operation of the Turkish army had begun. The southern ridges of Afyon were thrown like cotton. As I continued on my way, I was also watching the very accurate shots of our artillery. When I came over Opium, I saw an enemy plane take off from the airport. I started to follow my route by directing it towards him. He didn't accept the conflict when I caught him and took the leap. He ran away at full speed in the direction of the servant. I couldn't watch it any more. Because he would not come to leave the Afyon Airport, where the enemy planes are based, empty. They could have flown another reconnaissance plane to monitor our operation. I came back to Afyon. Seeing on the ground that the enemy's reserve corps in Dover had moved towards Afyon for reinforcements, I gave the necessary information. The Afyon plain was covered with dust. Enemy vehicles were constantly in motion, running to the left and right, confused and miserable. The battlefield, on the other hand, had become a parent's day.

On August 28, 1922, I landed at Afyon Airport, which was abandoned by the enemy. On September 1, 1922, I took off on a mission to explore Uşak and its surroundings. When I came upon the servant, I watched with tears in my eyes that the city was burning in flames, and the desire to take revenge on this cruel, ruthless enemy suddenly flared up in me. Between Dumlupınar and Uşak, I caught the marching arms of the enemy. They had already fallen into the valley in a desolate state. Gasping and lowering towards them, I frantically combed the inhuman atrocities with my bomb and machine gun until I ran out of my last bullet. The enemy fled in a miserable state, but continued its brutality and destruction. The Turkish army was constantly chasing this herd in order to dump it into the sea as soon as possible. On September 11, 1922, we brought our base to Izmir Seydiköy Airport, which the enemy had abandoned and had to leave. He was thrown from this beautiful corner of heaven in my country, by breaking the dirty foot of the enemy. His bloody hand, his uncivilized savagery, even the sea in which he spilled could not wash away. The homeland was saved.

Eskisehir - Tehran Flight

I am citing the memory of Pilot Captain Muzaffer (Göksenin)'s excursion flight from Eskişehir to Tehran on May 3, 1926, under the conditions of those days: Rumors that a Turkish fleet would make a sightseeing flight to Tehran had been common for several months. The hope of being able to participate in this flight was driving us all excited. This rumor, which never materialized, was about to lose its interest and importance.

On May 26, 1926, with a sudden order, I received the order to go to Tehran by two planes at 14:00. Necessary preparations have been made. My friends Lieutenant Enver (Akoğlu), civilian pilot Basri, technician Sadi participated in this flight.

We were going to attend the coronation ceremony of our neighbor, the new Shah of Iran, Pahlavi. We were going to convey the commemoration of our President, Gazi Mustafa Kemal, to the Shah.

Departing from the west, we were going to fly our flag in the skies of foreign countries by flying towards the east. We were filled with the joy of this honorable mission.

After making our last test flights in Ankara and reviewing our planes, we examined our road situation and determined our route. The meticulous attention of our Deputy Chief of General Staff boosted our morale. On May 3, 1926, we took off from the airport around seven o'clock. We reached Kayseri Airport, the first landing place, and took off again at 11 am after refueling. We continued our flight on the Aziziye - Gürün - Darende - Malatya - northern Çermik route. At Diyarbakir Airport, our friends were waiting for us impatiently. We took off at 06:22 on the morning of May 5, 1926. Lake Erçek, we follow the southern contour road. Weather conditions are favorable. We are over Tabriz, the airport where we will land a little later has appeared. We were greeted with a heartfelt love and interest. We wanted to move to Tehran on the same day, but we had to spend the night in Tabriz as the weather did not allow it. We toured the city, it was a cute place. We did not hear any strangers. Almost everyone spoke Turkish with a slight dialectal change; they didn't care about us at all.

We flew to Tehran early in the morning of May 6th. After making a low and noisy pass over the city, we went down to the area. We are in Tehran's magnificent Savoya Hotel. Everything has been thought of in detail for our comfort. We did not have any problems with the language. There were people who spoke Turkish everywhere.

On May 11, 1926, at 10.30, we were admitted to the presence of His Excellency the Shah, together with our Grand Ambassador Mahmut Şevket Bey. A ceremonial guard greeted us at the palace gate. The palace was conspicuously unpretentious. His Majesty the Shah was going on a one-week trip on the same day. The very elegant sword that our President Gazi Mustafa Kemal sent as a gift was presented to them by our Grand Ambassador. His Holiness the Shah responded to Mahmut Şevket Bey's speech with short and sincere words: “I will always carry the sword with me as a gift from a friend and a brother!” In addition, they stated that they were particularly pleased that four young Turkish aviators were sent to Iran, and they did not find it appropriate for us to return immediately, so they asked us to stay in Tehran as guests until they return from their trip. They talked to each of us individually.

We stayed as guests for 21 days in Tehran, a beautiful city. In honor of our fleet, the army and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave splendid feasts. Our young Republic and our vigorous army were praised with words of envy and contempt at these feasts, where the Ministers of Foreign and Warfare, the Chief of the General Staff and many military dignitaries were present. His Majesty the Shah honored us with the medal they gave to the army officers and the senior government, as a commemoration in official ceremonies.

On 27 May, we took a flight from Tehran Airport to our homeland, which we began to yearn with the peace of mind of the people who fulfilled their duty.

Turkish Aviator

A memory of retired Air Major General Hüseyin Turgut from his days in the Turkish Air Force: An aviator who worked for years undoubtedly has many memories. Some are sweet, some are bitter, and many are exemplary. I think it would be helpful and interesting to tell some of these memories to the young generation who have just been appointed to the profession.

In 1932, five aviators who had passed a competitive test were sent to France to conduct investigations and monitor developments. I was among them. From the moment we set foot in France, we felt great pride and joy from the attention and respect shown to us everywhere.

The customs officer at the dock asked for my ID:

I said "Turkish aviator". The man's face changed, he looked at me curiously, then without doing any customs clearance:

"Welcome, go ahead," he said.

I went to visit the commander of the French air regiment. The old Colonel greeted me with genuine interest and kindness. He extended my visit and asked many questions. At the end of the meeting, his deputy summoned the lieutenant colonel and said:

-After he said, “Do whatever Turkish aviators want," he told a memory: “We trained with a few Turkish aviators at the first Aviation School opened in France in 1911-1912. After returning to their homeland, they broke records. They made the longest flight over the sea. They set a height record. They also made the furthest first flight over land. They were very valuable and very brave pilots. They achieved all these successes with French-made planes, which we were very proud of," he said, then asked who of these first pilots were alive. Hearing the name Colonel Salim, he immediately remembered. In other French airborne units, the old and ex-air officers I've met have often touched on the same subject. Our first aviators from the French,

In one of the garrisons, who knew Turkish history and Atatürk very well; Interpreting the War of Independence and the subsequent developments with a scientific approach; I met a Japanese officer who revealed by his questions that our war industry was undeveloped. On this occasion, I painfully remembered the words of the French colonel who said, "The record-breaking pilots are Turkish, whereas the planes were ours."

New York-Istanbul Flight

In July 1931, two American civil aviators, Russell Boardman and John L. Polando, set a long flight record. They took off from New York and flew 840,323 kilometers in 49 hours and 08 minutes in one leap and landed at Yeşilköy Airport. This event connected the New World to the Near East for the first time by air. advancing technology, with its strong success, brought a new dimension to the concept of length and time. This flight, which is also important in terms of its effects in the history of Turkish aviation, added another link to the chain of records in 1931, and was a victory gift of science and technology to the American youth.

The importance of this direct link established between Turkey and the New World for the Republic of Turkey; providing our connection with the high-tech manufacturer America; to form the first step of Turkish-American friendship; It is the beginning of results such as strengthening the interest in aviation initiatives initiated under the leadership of Atatürk in Turkey.

The pilots, who started the flight from New York, arrived in Istanbul by following the Atlantic Ocean, Ireland, London Paris, Munich, Slazburg, Belgrade route. Their flight was in an environment that could be considered good in terms of weather conditions. Welcomed by Istanbul Governor and Mayor Muhiddin Üstündağ, the US Ambassador to Turkey, THK Istanbul Branch Manager Hasan Fehmi Bey, members of the press, our aviators and a large crowd at Yeşilköy Airport, the pilots were hosted at Pera Palace. One of the members of the press:

- The question “Why did you choose Istanbul for a new long-flight record?”:

-“We heard that many new and good things are being done in Turkey. We came to see and greet them on the spot.” The pilots were emphasizing the positive repercussions of the reforms of the Turkish Republic, founded under the leadership of Atatürk, in a distant country like America.

On July 31, 1931, THK Istanbul Branch Manager Hasan Fehmi informed our guests that Atatürk would receive them in Yalova. In Yalova, Prime Minister İsmet İnönü, Foreign Minister Tevfik Rüştü Araş, Chief Secretary of the Presidency Tevfik Bey and deputies welcomed the guests. Prime Minister İsmet İnönü honored the airmen, who were presented by the US ambassador to Turkey, with the highest medal of THK.

At 18.00, the guest aviators arrived at the mansion. Our President M. Kemal Atatürk received the flyers in the study hall. After the introduction, Atatürk congratulated and appreciated the guest aviators and said very praising words. When these words were translated to the pilots, both aviators bowed their heads and respectfully thanked Atatürk. Atatürk asked the aviators the following question:

-“What was the most interesting and influencing event for you during your trip? Pilots question:

- They replied as “Our arrival and landing in Istanbul”.

"How many nights did you spend on the road?

-"Two nights. But the nights were getting shorter as we were always heading east. We saw six hours of night at most.

Asking where they wanted to go next, Atatürk added, "My aim was to see if you wanted to see Ankara, the capital of the new Turkish nation." The guest aviators announced that they had no decision for the next part of their trip, but that they had to return to America as soon as possible. When our Ata learned that the aviators would stay in Turkey for a few more days:

-The questions of "Isn't this a short period of time for the Turkish nation to see you closely and show their love as much as they want?" made the airmen very emotional; It caused them to repeat their gratitude with respect and sincerity.

Ataturk; When the aviators stated how Christopher Columbus went to America with the assumption of India, whereas the children of this century came to Istanbul by crossing the Atlantic Ocean and knowing where they were going, the aviators said:

-“The tools used by Christopher Columbus were insufficient. It was not as developed as ours.” Ataturk:

-"Yes, I wanted to repeat that too. This century's science and technique was necessary for your success." After these conversations, they made the following statement: "The Turkish nation enjoyed your unprecedented trip, overflowing with their hearts, and welcomed it in a friendly manner. As we rise from the skies of America, we will see our valuable guests in the Turkish sky, from the moment they fly from there to the moment they arrive in Turkey's horizons and land on our lands with interest and excitement. He wished wholeheartedly and sincerely, he also rejoiced like his own success. Your success is truly a unique triumph of science and technique, your ingenuity and courage, human power. As you unite continents, you bring nations closer. Heroes like you are nations, members of a family who are concerned with each other's happiness and destinies. I have no doubt that you, As you unite the great land of the new world, whose civilization we admire with admiration, and the new Turkey, located where the continents of the old world embrace, you brought the hearts of Americans and Turks closer together. Today's youth are the founders of high friendships and high love between people and nations, from the paths of the sky that human beings could not imagine until our time. I am proud and happy to see brave and nationalist young people like you in America, who give the lofty signs of these lofty goals. You have drawn a beautiful path in the sky. This trip will arouse a great desire to prepare for Turkish aviators. I congratulate you with enthusiasm. In your personalities, I greet the esteemed nation of America, the knowledge and technique of America, the heroic representatives of American aviation. On this beautiful occasion, I would like to commemorate your esteemed President, who represents your high society in a high manner in the world. I wish you a good journey and always great success”.

The American ambassador replied to this great compliment on behalf of the aviators as follows: “Mr. President; Both the aviators and I were very touched by the compliment and the value you gave. We are grateful. How well do you know how to evaluate the qualities and traits that exist in yourself and the Turkish nation when you see them in others. We will never forget this compliment of the head of state, who gathered the high qualities of the Turkish nation in his soul. I am glad that this event will strengthen the friendship between Turkey and America.”

Our President M. Kemal Atatürk, to the words of the ambassador, said: “I especially congratulate the self-government that has always successfully represented the great nation that has raised such heroes. I fully agree with your opinion that this happy event will further increase the friendship between the two nations”.

After these speeches, the guest aviators presented Atatürk a copy of the New York Times newspaper attached to the parachute and a letter from our Washington ambassador. Pictures were taken with Atatürk and this historical acceptance was filmed. After an hour of conversation, the guest aviators said goodbye to Atatürk and left. They came to Yalova from the hot spring and went ashore from the Dolmabahçe Palace dock at 21.25 on the Sakarya motorbike.

Pilot Boardman gave the following answer to a press reporter who asked about his feelings about Atatürk:

-“I am very emotional to see Turkey's leader by chance. This is such a leader that he created a new and young Turkey with his vision and power. We are very happy to be accepted by your President. Your leader is someone who shows such a perfect intelligence that this intelligence can be understood from his own speeches. These speeches, as if by declaring that the Turkish nation honors us, have also included great meanings.

Kemal Atatürk explained his impressions of the guest aviators at the dinner that evening with these words: “I saw these heroic children of America as having all the qualities of heroism and resistant and assertive to apply these qualities in the face of the whole world. They themselves disguise their lofty heroism in humility. I hope, I expect, that these young people will have great works of action than they do today. With this, the American society, which is already very high, will be proud, and all humanity will be happy with high excited pride. There is no doubt that the Turkish nation will feel the highest of these joys with the deepest feelings. Because the Turkish nation loves and appreciates everything beautiful, every civilized thing, every high thing. But surely, if there is one thing he worships above all else, it is high heroism. These words of mine will undoubtedly resonate loudly and effectively in the ears of today's awake Turkish youth. I want nothing less from Turkish children whose high qualities I look up to with confidence.”

Guest aviators, on the other hand, explained their impressions to the press with a written and signed document. The Turkish translation of this document is as follows: “We are deeply touched by the fact that we are meeting with the great person who created modern Turkey with his prudence and personality. They are the full, tangible symbol of strength August 1, 1931.

From New York to Istanbul 28-30 July 1931                                                

Russell Boardman John L. Polando

 

In Honor of Our Eagles

On the night of 29 October 1923, when the tenth anniversary of the Republic was celebrated, President Gazi Mustafa Kemal (Atatürk), who honored the ball in Ankara Palas, took a look at the hall and asked the people next to him:

"Is that all aviators?"

There are few airmen in the hall, and they are purely old officers. Captain Zeki (Gülsüm), the aviator, who is on the outer wing of the saloon door, answers:“

"That's all, Pasha!" He pauses for a moment and continues with his distinctive open-hearted speech:

-“Pasha, we fly in our flight suits. We don't fly in big uniform. We attended the air ceremony held today with our flight suits from our troops. That's why none of us have big uniforms other than our air officers stationed in Ankara. In the order sent from the Prime Ministry to the Central Command, it was stated that officers without large uniforms could not enter the ball. They're not taking us to the ball following this order.

Atatürk, who had listened carefully to the young aviator, asks:

-“Where are the aviators now?”

Clever Gulsum:

-“ They are all scattered and having fun, Pasha.” Turning to the Central Commander of Atatürk:

-“All the guards will be mobilized, gather all the airmen wherever they are and bring them here!”

Captain Zeki Gulsum:

-“But Pasha, none of us have big uniforms!” After looking at the young aviator for a moment, Atatürk turns his gaze to the central commander and repeats his order.

After this order, Captain Zeki Gülsüm enters the ballroom, while the Central Commander comes out to mobilize the guards. Before long, the halls of Ankara Palace are filled with excited and surprised young aviators. When Gazi Pasha sees the aviators, he leaves the diplomatic corps and comes to the aviators, shakes their hands and asks for their memories, and asks for champagne for them. When the waiters bring the champagne, Atatürk carefully fills the glasses and hands them to the aviators one by one and calls out:

-“To our eagles!” The great hall, in unison:“

"To your honour, Pasha!"

Gazi Pasha turned to the aviators again:

-“I had you all collected from the places where you were just when you were going to eat. You're hungry, come with me." Atatürk takes the aviators to the buffet and welcomes them.

After a while, the aviators, who left the kiosk, were scattered around the hall, watching the dancers. At one point, when a group of aviators suddenly see Atatürk next to them, they immediately get up. Gazi Pasha asks:

"Why don't you dance?"

In the meantime, the pilot, Lieutenant Yıldırım (Yakar), looking at his face as if waiting for an answer:

-“Pasha, there is no one we know, we do not dare not to encounter a situation that does not suit the honor of our uniform.” Gazi Pasha says to the young aviators: "Come with me" and walks to the place where the diplomatic corps is located, and turns to the young aviators and calls out:

-"Come on, let's see the harmony of the music!"

No one, especially the aviators, are having fun happily, regardless of what time it is. At one point, a wish of Atatürk spread: “All the aviators will get into the cars of the Presidential Mansion and go to the People's House”. The aviators evacuate the Ankara Palas halls at once, and drive to the People's House. After a while, Atatürk comes to the People's House. The aviators lined up on both sides of the door in a row, smiling and greeting the President who passes between them and enters after him.

At 04.30, a new request of Atatürk is heard: “All officers will gather at the Ordu Evi.” All land, air and naval officers in the People's House go to the Army House. A little later, Atatürk, who caught up with them, went inside with them:

He says, "This is our home, we will be more sincere here."

Shortly after entering, Atatürk asks an officer the following question: 

"Tell me. What are the reasons why Yıldırım Beyazıt was defeated by Tamerlane in the Battle of Ankara?"

Atatürk continues the joy of that happy night among themselves, in their own homes and with his own subjects.

This Is How My Airmen Defend Their Homeland

In October 1934, during the joint sea-air maneuver in the Dardanelles, one of the Hawk fighters, which attacked the Breguet arm of five, representing the enemy, crashed into the plane to the right of the Breguet plane arm while diving. Both planes crashed into the sea 25 meters in front of the destroyer, where the high command team was managing the maneuver. Captain Bedri was martyred. This sad event was watched with great excitement and sadness by Marshal Fevzi Çakmak, and the situation was explained to Atatürk at the end of the maneuver.

On the night of the Republic Day of that year, Atatürk, while chatting with the aviator pilots who were invited in the Ankara Palas halls and participated in the parade, as it was his custom, said to the aviators: “The enemy navy is approaching our most sensitive area. They asked, "Your bomb and bullet are gone, what do you do?" All the pilots replied: "We will crash the ships with our planes, even if our lives are at the cost". Upon this answer, Atatürk, as the diplomatic corps who did not leave his environment to learn something would hear:

“This is how my airmen defend their homeland, even at the cost of their lives,” he growled.

It was our Ata who made his pilots adopt the idea that suicide piloting would be an ideal form of attack in desperation. This tactic, which was unanimously adopted by our pilots in a research conducted after a while, thus became history.

Five years before the Second World War, perhaps the Japanese learned from us and applied this form of attack, which would be applied by Turkish pilots when necessary.4

Reply to Mussolini

A memory of Falih Rıfkı Atay: Mussolini, relying on his power in aviation, was pursuing a policy of aggression, including Anatolia, on the way to re-establish the Roman Empire.

- He angered Atatürk with his arrogant speeches such as "We must look for our bread in the East". Atatürk, who attached great importance to aviation in those days, wanted Mussolini to clarify these words while he was examining the Italian air campaign, through the Ankara ambassador.

In the presence of the aggressor Mussolini, the Italians had made flight demonstrations by connecting two biplanes with a rope at intervals of 100 meters. Does Atatürk ever stop? He immediately gave instructions. Turkish planes should have made similar flights, and they were. Three Fleet-type biplanes connected to each other at 25-metre intervals and took off from Eskişehir; He came to Ankara. Attending the Republic Day ceremonies and maintaining the same intervals, he returned to his base in Eskişehir. Atatürk gave a very meaningful answer to the Italians. 5

Good idea

Retired Air Major General Sadi Atikkan recounts a memory of Atatürk as follows: In 1935, at the Republic Ball in Ankara Palas, Atatürk met a group of us in a semicircle as usual, and they were chatting happily. He was asking questions, giving his personal opinions if he was not satisfied. The subject was Sabiha Gökçen, our first female pilot. They wanted to know our thoughts on the female pilot. After a while, the subject changed. A friend of ours, from the Navy to the Air Force, who had not been successful in flight, said that he wanted to return to his old job, out of nowhere. As known. Atatürk, who had no tolerance for non-serious actions regardless of the time and conditions, asked our friend the reason for this request. He said it might be more useful in the Navy, too.

Another characteristic of Atatürk was that he was a very sensitive human being. He suddenly lost his joy. Addressing all of us:

-“Let me tell you that those who change professions can never be successful. I'm sure this friend of yours wants to break up with you because he hasn't been successful with you."

He walked to pass the semicircle that we had formed around him, from where I was. At this moment, a word suddenly came out of my mouth:

-“ Dear Atatürk, I would like you to send Sabiha Gökçen to İzmir...”

Atatürk interrupted me and he stared at me with his terrifying blue eyes and asked a little harshly:

-“What will you do with Gökçen in İzmir?”

To be frank, my knees were shaking at that moment. I answered his questions in a timid voice:

-“Dear Atatürk, there is a common belief among the people in İzmir that Sabiha Gökçen does not fly alone, and that one of us is always with her on her flights. However, this misconception that I have presented will be removed with a demonstration flight to be made in front of the public and students by coming to Izmir and inviting the Izmir Turkish Aeronautical Association to Gaziemir Airport.”

Towards the middle of my speech, the nervous lines on Atatürk's face disappeared and he became his usual calm:

-"You are right. Good idea. I'll send it, I'll send it!”

After a while, we witnessed Gökçen's tours of Turkey and the Balkans. 6

A letter (K) is enough for now

Atatürk was closely interested in every branch of aviation; He was monitoring the work and its stages on the spot. Mr. Rıza Çerçel, Deputy of Afyon, who was the general manager of State Airlines in 1953-1954, mentions a memory in his article titled Atatürk and our Airlines: Atatürk came to visit the Airplane Square of Ankara State Airlines on a summer day. A desolate country surrounded by hills, a modest hut as if it were built for a country guard in a secluded corner of this field, two humpbacked runways surrounded by wild grass and reeds, a flight path embodied by the scattering of coal slag on the mud. this was all there was to the area.

He brought him a wicker chair in front of the field building; surrounded him; We talked at length about the works to be done in the near future, the planes to be bought, the facilities to be established. Atatürk was just listening. There was the patience of a bronze statue in this listening. Finally, to perpetuate the precious memory of this happy visit, we asked him for his autograph. He took the extended notebook and pen. He was thinking. His eyes seemed to be searching for something in the desolate hills and the empty space surrounding them, and he bowed his head reluctantly. The pen in his hand looked like it had been nailed to paper. Finally, the pen seemed to work, and a single letter K, Kemal's initial, appeared on the paper. But that was all. While the great person is giving back the notebook and pen after writing the letter K, which is the initial letter of Kemal Atatürk's signature:

-“A letter K is enough for now. After the work you promised me is done and completed, I will complete the rest of my signature.”

I Wanted Their Efforts

Fevzi Uçantürk tells: Atatürk asked the aviators to take aerial photographs of the ruins of archaeological value in their region.

In June 1937, the General Staff ordered the 3rd Air Regiment Command to take this shot and deliver the photographs to Ata to be given to Ata within a month. Since his troop is ours, he gave us this task.

In addition, the commander, as the company commander, called me personally and asked that the photos be taken very well, put in an album worthy of Ata and prepared within 20 days.

The next day, we started photo taking flights, especially me. Until then, all kinds of reconnaissance, artillery fire and photo missions remained under the monopoly of a few flying officers, other aviators would not compliment or train such duties other than piloting. This unconventional act of mine was met with disapproval by the photo monopolist in the division and the aviators I assigned. Durura was announced to battalion and regimental commanders. The commander rightly expressed his concerns and reminded me of my heavy responsibility if this important task is not done well. “I think you have confidence in me. I wanted the volatile officers I assigned to have their place and their efforts in the album, which has great historical value. Otherwise, I and my trained officers would have accomplished this task in a short time by choosing the easiest one. I chose the power one, we will succeed” I replied.

In those days, I found the best bookbinder in İzmir and had a large album prepared from green velvet. When the bookbinder heard that it was made for Atatürk, he only took the cost and said: "This is an honor for me," and did not take the manual labor. Within 15 days, I had the album prepared and handed it over to the regimental commander. The commander was pleased and said thank you very much. The album was presented to the Chief of General Staff by the regimental commander, and from there to Atatürk. By the way, Marshal Fevzi Çakmak also requested from the same album, it was prepared and sent.

This album, which Atatürk had prepared, was shown to the historical authorities in the local and foreign language they had collected at the Dolmabahçe Palace, and the success of the aviators was appreciated. 7

Sabiha Gökçen's Balkan Tour

During a conversation, the foreign guests who were invited by Atatürk asked Sabiha Gökçen to make a Balkan tour with his plane, and to come to their capital city and be their guest. Both Atatürk and Sabiha Gökçen responded positively to this invitation and thanked them. Only Sabiha Gökçen states that she needs to be prepared for such a tour and asks for a month's time.

Sabiha Gökçen describes this tour she carried out as follows: I immediately started working with the Volti-type military aircraft newly purchased from America and with the American expert pilot Jack, who was brought. After learning about the features of the aircraft, I made some domestic flights. I set off from Istanbul to do a half-Turkey tour in a beautiful weather. Returning first to Köyceğiz, then to Tuz Gölü and then to Ankara, via Zonguldak to Istanbul, I completed a half-air tour of Turkey in five and a half hours. Now I was ready for the Balkan tour. But Atatürk was getting more and more collapsed every day due to his illness and was tied to the bed. Therefore, for the first time in my life, I lied to Gazi Pasha and apologized that I was not ready for this tour. Immediately sensing the true reason for my apology for delaying my trip:

"I know that you didn't want to leave me during my illness. But don't forget the promise you made to those who invited you. As long as people keep their word, they gain respect. We promised once. The Turk does not go back on his word. While you are doing your duty, I will try to overcome my illness and wait for your return.”

On 16 June 1938, at Atatürk's request, I started my own Balkan tour. My first destination would be Athens. When I went to say goodbye:

-“A few hours later, world radios will broadcast that you went on a Balkan tour and represented the Turkish woman in the sky with honor. Wherever you go, journalists will talk to you and take pictures of you. Answer clearly every question they ask. Do not forget to say that you are the daughter of a peaceful country, that you desire peace at home and in the world, and that you want it wholeheartedly like every Turk.”

"I will not embarrass you, Pasha. I will do my best to represent Turkish women in my honorable uniform, worthy of Turkishness." He kissed his hand and said goodbye, and asked me to go to Thessaloniki and see the house where he was born and tell him on the way back.

After I took off with my plane, I flew over Savarona and said goodbye to her from the sky.

My first place of visit was Athens. I set out by drawing my route. I arrived in Athens on time. A curious crowd and our ambassador, Ruşen Eşref Ünaydın, welcomed me. I was greeted with a military ceremony at the airport. I remember involuntarily shed tears of joy when our National Mars was stolen. At the feast given at night, I went to Thessaloniki and said that I wanted to visit the house where Atatürk was born. In the morning I flew to Thessaloniki. When I set foot in Thessaloniki, I felt like I was at home. It was as if I could feel Atatürk's presence and breath next to me.

Having completed the Balkan tour, I departed from Bucharest to Istanbul. As I was flying over Turkish territory, I thought that there could not be a more beautiful piece of country in the world than this. When I landed at Yeşilköy Airport, greeting the crowd waiting for me, I went straight to Savarona. Atatürk was resting in his cabin. Embracing me with difficulty: Gökçen, I'm glad you're back. If you only knew how you pleased me with your success," he said. He then asked me what I was doing in Thessaloniki and if I had seen the house where he was born. I told Gazi Pasha about my impressions at length. While describing my impressions of the house where he was born, his eyes filled with tears and said:

He expressed his longing by saying “Beautiful Thessaloniki”.

Ataturk's Daughters

In 1956, Air Staff Colonel Burhan Göksel, who was the head of our Türkkuşu civil aviation schools, took a paratrooper team, mostly young girls, and a fleet of five planes, mostly female pilots, to the neighboring country Iraq for an air show. 8 This party is personally invited by the King. Our girls are hosted in the mansion of Prime Minister Nuri Said Pasha. Turkish girls' air shows are also watched at Baghdad Airport with the excitement of thousands of people. Demonstrations in Mosul create more interest and excitement. Burhan Göksel describes this interest in Mosul as follows: On the morning of the show, we go to the airbase in luxury cars allocated for our aviator girls. We had a very young parachutist girl with me who was still in high school. At the entrance gate of the area, we are waiting for the sign of the traffic police. First, the work of the police, we usually think of it as a traffic arrangement that is customary at demonstrations on such extraordinary days. However, that is not the case. The police divide the audience into two according to their gender. The female spectators are directed to the stands prepared in the north of the area, and the gentlemen are directed to the stands in the south. I told my young student to watch this event with interest and attention, and that we could not see a more vivid example of the great blessings Atatürk gave us all, and I advised him to never forget it.

After the performances begin, the Arab announcer constantly makes statements and naturally uses the words Turk and nisa frequently. In the meantime, Atatürk's name is often repeated. I specifically asked the aviator lieutenant colonel of Kirkuk and Turkish origin, who was assigned to us, to translate these parts for me. He was as emotional as I was. The announcer said in a very excited voice as the plane that will make our jump approaches the area:-

"O Arab woman, I am calling out to you from my heart; soon you will see Atatürk's daughters parachuting from the skies. You will watch Turkish female pilots performing aerobatics. Then, according to the program, you will watch Iraqi planes and our paratroopers who will jump. All of our aviators are men, we hope you It will make you very sad. There is a great lesson for you in these events. You save yourself too. Take your place right next to the Arab man. Let Atatürk's daughters be an example for you"!

At Ataturk Air School

The aviation profession requires knowledge and technique. But these conditions are not sufficient either. Because as much as a healthy physical structure is important; knowledge, technique and discipline must also be fused with spiritual values ​​and at the same time be in harmonious harmony. An aviator is successful if he has the moral superiority along with his technique, knowledge, skill and talent, and if he combines these factors in harmony. Air School mobilizes its available resources to bring these qualities to its students.

In 1934, I joined the Air Machinist School in Yeşilköy as a student, and at the end of the first year, our school was transferred to Eskişehir. We continued our sophomore education (it was our last year) and factory internship here.

On the morning of June 9, 1936, there was an extraordinary movement, preparation and liveliness at the school. Our President Atatürk would honor our school. We were all looking forward to seeing Him up close. The happy moment we've been waiting for for hours has arrived. A handful of young aircraft technician candidates, full of technical knowledge, and their hearts filled with love and respect for the country and Atatürk, were standing in front of Atatürk, as if they were a steel spring. Atatürk approached our group and advanced ahead of us with slow and dignified steps. His features were calm, thoughtful, and quiet. With this appearance, he seemed to want to indicate that he trusted us in the development of our aviation, which is important for our future.

It was as if we had silently digested Atatürk's telepathic warning before we took office, and at that moment, we had made a promise to Atatürk in our hearts and swore an oath.

In the last years of duty, despite the impossibilities and poverty in difficult conditions, the silent promise we made from our heart has sincerely tied us to our duty.

Ataturk Couldn't See

Atatürk attached great importance to the quantity and superiority of the flight training in the collective passage of the Air Force on 29 October Republic Days, and on the occasion of the feast, they would criticize the ceremony flight that day with the pilots he invited in the Ankara Palace halls. This passage in the ceremony was also a test for the troops and the aviators. After the flight, the ceremony was a source of criticism for the commander, and the good or bad grades of the unit, fleet and pilots were revealed to their faces.

The Air Force, which will participate in the October 29 Republic Day in 1938, was developed in terms of quantity and value compared to other years, in accordance with Atatürk's directives. Unfortunately, Atatürk, whose health deteriorated, could not see this development at the parade in Bayram. 9

Your Name is Our Promise

I will never forget the day of November 10, 1938 in Eskişehir. Years have passed, but even today I am reliving the same pain.

When I left my house to go to my duty, my heart was burning with the spark of bitter doubt, I was overwhelmed. I found myself tired and reluctant. My instinct had not failed me. Shortly after he took office, the flag that fluttered cozily on the garrison post was lowered at half-mast, and the bitter truth was quietly announced throughout the dormitory. I was startled as if I had been struck by lightning. I couldn't believe or accept this bitter truth. I first greeted Atatürk when I was a secondary school student, when I attended the ninth anniversary of our Republic in Ankara as a scout. The train carrying Atatürk's shroud would pass through Eskişehir after midnight. I went to the station to give my last salute in Eskişehir. There was a freezing weather in Eskişehir at night. But who heard this and took it! Gar, old-young; civil - in official uniform; the family was full of children.

No leader in the world could have achieved such a wide and deep love in the hearts of his nation. Atatürk was a star that rarely passed not only on Turkish horizons, but also on the horizons of our aging world. The light he shed on his nation would shine even more and more strongly in the years to come. The Turkish nation would always benefit from this light and gain strength on the right path.

I was shaken from my thoughts by the sound of the locomotive's whistle heard in the distance. There was a stir, movement, and fusion in Garda. That sun did not appear in the carriage as we used to. We couldn't see his smiling, burning and charming blue eyes. Tears were pouring from everyone's eyes.

The train was leaving from the heart of Eskişehir, darkened with mourning. It was as if he had embraced the unique great genius and was taking him to Anatolia, the capital of his nation, to which he had fallen in love.

We will be deprived of your physical and mortal appearance, but in our hearts your love and respect; We are full of principles in our heads. We will keep you alive in our hearts until we take our last breath. Your name will be our oath, and the honorable paths you illuminate will always remain bright. May you rest in the light of God's mercy.

NOTE: It is presented as a summary of the detailed work prepared by the author under the name "Atatürk and Aviation".

1 Niyazi Ahmet Banoğlu, Atatürk with Wisdom, Anecdotes and Lines, book 3, p. 29.

2 The article was summarized from the Flying Turk Magazine.

3 Cumhuriyet Newspaper, 13 September 1948, Yunus Nadi Prize competition articles.

4 Fevzi Uçantürk - Nevzat Gökeri, Journal of the Air Force, June 1971, issue 241, p. 48-50, 54-55.

5 Said Arif Terzioğlu, Future is in the Sky, Cumhuriyet Newspaper, 1 March 1971.

6 Atatürk and Turkish Aviation, Journal of the Air Force, issue 241, 1971, p. 79.

7 Fevzi Uçantürk, Journal of the Air Force, June 1971, issue 241, p. 62.

8 Memoirs, Atatürk's Daughters, Flying Turk Magazine, July-August 1956,5. 160-161.

9 Fevzi Uçantürk, Journal of the Air Force, June 1971, issue 241, p. 52-58.

Muhterem Erenli

Source: ATATÜRK ARAŞTIRMA MERKEZİ DERGİSİ, Sayı 4, Cilt: II, Kasım 1985