FEVZİ ÇAKMAK

Marshal Fevzi Çakmak was a great soldier, an outstanding figure of Turkish morality and character, and a commander whose love and compassion were trusted.

The accuracy and infallibility of their decisions were based on the logic and accuracy of their views and thoughts. His reasons were very strong.

He was never pessimistic under any circumstances, and instilled his optimism around him with his behavior and appearance.

His speeches were simple but very powerful, smooth and gripping. He adorned his criticisms with aphorisms.

There was sincerity and honesty in his relations with his environment. He wouldn't hold grudges.

He gave importance to the training and personality of young officers, especially staff officers, and organized various studies in this field. He made efforts to enable them to gain independent ideas and to increase their sense of responsibility.

His meticulousness in matters related to the defense of the homeland was found strange by some circles. However, this meticulousness should not be overlooked for the Chief of Staff of a nation that witnessed the loss of important homeland lands in the Balkan and First World Wars, and fought the enemies attacking from all over the country in the War of Independence.

His life was very simple, his love of country was endless. Since he was very interested in reading, he continued this habit in his office. Even when he was sick, he would not leave his office, receive treatment in the next room and continue his duty.

Their thoughts, precautions and practices were uncomplicated. He would solve and explain each problem in the simplest and most correct way. He was authoritarian; His authority was based on love, not fear.

Their mutual love and respect for Atatürk is endless and unique. He supported Atatürk's reforms and principles with all his might throughout his life.

The great war part of Marshal Fevzi Çakmak's de facto service that lasted for half a century, who fully represents the great human and great soldier qualities and rendered great services to this saintly country, started with the chiefs of staff of the corps and army-level units in the Balkan War, and continued with the First World War and this. He continued on the battlefields of various fronts for ten years until the end of the following War of Independence, during which he commanded divisions, corps and armies.

The experience he gained in these great unit commands prepared him for the difficult and very important tasks of the War of Independence, and by being among the closest and most valuable assistants of Atatürk in this struggle, he was among the closest and most valuable assistants of Atatürk in the re-establishment and organization of the national army, in the management and administration of the internal and external events in the dark days of renunciation and renunciation. has worked successfully.

In particular, he served invaluable services as the Chief of General Staff of the Commander-in-Chief Atatürk in the preparation, administration and administration of the Battle of Sakarya, the Great Offensive and the Battle of the Commander-in-Chief, and reached the highest rank of his profession.

As the Chief of Staff of the Republican administration, he worked with deep faith and consciousness for twenty-odd years to equip and strengthen the Turkish army with modern weapons.

In this way, in the Second World War, the enlisted armies based on our borders did not have the courage to attack the Republic of Turkey.

The state, relying on its heroic army, resisted the evil political threats after this war, alone and without a moment's hesitation, with great endurance.

The efforts of İsmet İnönü, the President of that period, to keep Turkey out of this war and his determined attitude are sufficiently mentioned in the book titled “Turkish Elders İsmet İnönü”. Here, too, the opportunities provided by Marshal Fevzi Çakmak as the Chief of General Staff were tried to be stated.

A - LIFE OF FEVZİ ÇAKMAK

1 - Birth and Secondary Education:

Great soldier, great commander, virtuous person, Fevzi Çakmak was born in Istanbul on January 12, 1876, during a depressed period in the country.

His father is Artillery Colonel, Ali Sırrı Bey from Çakmakoğulları.

Mustafa Fevzi started his primary education in Rumeli Kavağı Mahalle Mektebi and then moved on to the Hayriye School in Sarıyer.

ten years old; He went to Thessaloniki High School (secondary school), came to Istanbul (Soğukçeşme Military High School) from there, transferred to Kuleli Military High School in 1890 and to the Military Academy on April 29, 1893.

2 - Military Life of Fevzi Çakmak:

Fevzi Efendi (1311-cP.7), who graduated from the Military Academy as an infantry officer on January 28, 1896, gained the right to continue in the staff classes due to his success, was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant on March 16, 1897, and became a staff captain on December 25, 1898. He graduated from the Academy and was appointed to the 4th Branch of the General Staff.

His successful student years coincided with the period of the most corrupt administration in the Ottoman Empire. The successive wars, internal uprisings, the economic and social situation caused the economic and social situation to worsen day by day, and the nation was devastated in the system that became inoperable under a weak and incompetent administration.

Appointed to the Chief of Staff of the 3rd Army Metroviçe Division on April 11, 1899, this valuable staff officer became Kolağası (Senior Captain) on February 6, 1901, and was awarded the Silver Order of Concession on January 23, 1900, for his successful services. He was awarded the Medjidi Order of the Fifth Rank.

Fevzi Bey, who became a Major in 1902, was appointed as the Governor and Commander of Taşlıca and performed successful works here as well.

He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1906 and was awarded the Order of Osmani from the Fourth Rank on 17 July 1906.

Fevzi Bey, who was promoted to the rank of Colonel in 1907, was appointed as the Commander of the 35th Nizamiye Brigade on 29 December 1908, leaving the Taşlıca Governor and Command.

He was demoted to the rank of Major in accordance with the Liquidation-i Rütab Law enacted on August 7, 1909, and on the grounds that he was promoted early compared to his precedent; On 27 July 1910, he was appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Crew Kosovo Corps.

He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel again on September 29, 1910, was appointed to the 5th Branch Manager of the General Staff on January 15, 1911, served as the Chief of Staff of the Shkodra Corps and various units. He was appointed as the Chief of Staff of the General Staff of the General Staff of the Kosovo Kuva in 1912, to the Vardar Army Command Movement Branch on September 29, 1912, and to the Command of the 2nd Nizamiye Division on November 6, 1913, and became a Colonel for the second time on November 24, 1913.

He was appointed to the 5th Corps Command on 22 December 1914 and became Mirliva (Major General) on 2 March 1915.

Fevzi Pasha was awarded the War Medal on October 2, 1915, the Combat Silver Medal of Honor on November 18, 1915, for his successful work in the division and corps commands, and the 2nd Iron Salip Order of Germany on December 26, 1915.

On December 6, 1915, he was appointed as the Deputy of the Anafartalar Group Command, from which Colonel Mustafa Kemal Bey left due to his illness.

He was awarded the Combat Gold Medal of Merit on January 17, 1916.

He was appointed to the Command of the 2nd Caucasian Corps on September 7, 1916, was awarded the German War Medal on October 21, 1916, on November 11, 1916 with the Combat Gold Merit Medal, and on April 3, 1917, for his successful service to this day. He was awarded the Second Order Military Merit Medal of the Austro-Hungarian State.

He was appointed to the 2nd Army Command in Diyarbakır on 5 July 1917 and to the 7th Army Command in Palestine on 9 October 1917.

Due to his successful service in the Army Command, he was awarded the Order of Osmani with the Sword of the Second Rank on September 23, 1917, the Order of Mecidi with the Sword of the First Rank on January 8, 1918, and on June 19, 1918, he was awarded the First Rank Crown of Prus of Germany.

He became Ferik (Lieutenant General) on 28 July 1918 and was appointed to the General Staff of the Erkan-ı Harbiye-i Umumiye (Chief of the General Staff) on 24 December 1918.

He was assigned to the 1st Army Inspectorate on May 14, 1919, and was assigned to the Advice Committee to be sent to Anatolia on November 3, 1919.

He was appointed as the Minister of War (Ministry of National Defense) on February 3, 1920, in this position and Gnkur. Cevat Pasha was exiled to Malta on March 16, 1920, as he supported the operation in Anatolia with all their means, with Cevat Pasha (General Çobanlı), who was his successor and predecessor, and British officers who came to the office of Fevzi Pasha threatened him. Realizing that he could not stay in Istanbul any longer in this situation, Fevzi Pasha came to Ankara on April 27, 1920, and was elected to the Ministry of National Defense and Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers on May 3, 1920, as a Kozan Deputy.

Since he joined the Kuva-yi Milliye on May 27, 1920, it was decided by the Istanbul 1st Administration of Orfiye Court to disqualify him from military service in absentia, to have his medals and medals withdrawn, and to be executed.

On November 9, 1920, he assumed the position of Deputy Chief of General Staff, after Colonel İsmet Bey, the Chief of the General Staff, was appointed to the Command of the Northern Section of the Western Front.

Fevzi Pasha, who was promoted to the First Ferik (General) league on April 3, 1921, left the Ministry of National Defense on August 5, 1921 and became the Chief of General Staff. On 12 July 1922, he left the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and went to the front to deal with the preparations for the Great Offensive.

On 31 August 1922, he was promoted to Marshal due to his services in the preparation and execution of the Great Offensive.

On March 27, 1923, Afghanistan Emin Ala was awarded the Order of Itriali by Hazrat Gazi Amanullah Khan.

On 14 August 1923, he was re-elected to the General Staff of the General Staff with 188 votes by the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

On November 21, 1923, his outstanding services in the War of Independence were rewarded with the Medal of Independence and a commendation was given to him.

He left the parliament on 31 October 1924. He served as Chief of Staff until 1944. He retired from this job, which he continued with honor, on January 12, 1944 (by completing the age limit).

Marshal Fevzi Çakmak was one of the soldiers Atatürk loved, respected and trusted. Their friendship started in Çanakkale and continued with mutual love, respect and sincere devotion until Atatürk's death.

Atatürk had brought Fevzi Pasha to the Chief of General Staff, saying that the management and command of the army would not be given to a random person. He also served in the highest level of the Armed Forces, especially kept the army away from politics, and proved that he was worthy of the Great Leader's trust by raising young soldiers who were loyal to Atatürk's Revolution and Principles.

Fevzi Çakmak could speak French, English, German, Russian, Persian, Arabic, Albanian and Serbian.

Works Written

Conferences on the Aspect of Western Rumelia and the Western Front in the Balkan War,

Eastern Front Movements in the Great War

B - FEVZİ ÇAKMAK'S STAFF AND COMMAND QUALITIES

The historical personalities of the soldiers are proportional to their professional abilities and skills in the military art.

1 - Fevzi Çakmak's Staff Qualification

Fevzi Çakmak was a staff officer who was serious, hardworking, correct and far-sighted, knowledgeable, brave, decisive, honest and highly moral, knew eight languages, and produced works.

He has been very successful in his staff duties in the division, corps, army and general staff headquarters. His personality and character left a positive impression on his subordinates and always helped them.

Fevzi Çakmak was an exemplary person who earned the love and respect of his juniors and the trust of his elders.

He was a talented headquarters officer who spent most of his day working, dealing with a thousand and one issues relentlessly and relentlessly. With the perfect plans and orders he prepared, he would enable the troops to quickly seize their targets, raise their morale, set an example for young officers with these qualities, and organize training programs to increase their knowledge and good manners.

2 - Commander Qualifications of Fevzi Çakmak

Fevzi Pasha served as the chief of staff of large units in the Ottoman - Italian War, the Balkan War, the First World War and the War of Independence, commanded brigades, divisions, corps and armies, and served as the Chief of General Staff and National Defense in both periods. He was a very experienced and knowledgeable, decisive, courageous commander who had served as a minister.

He took strategic and tactical rules, science and technique as a guide, combined them with his personal experiences and applied them according to the situation and conditions.

In the units and headquarters he commanded and took responsibility for, he always had an effect on his subordinates in every situation, and ensured the realization of the purpose by doing his duty in the best way.

With his intelligence, hard work, coolness, judgment, prudence, patience and diligence in the leadership of the National Struggle, he served very successfully, always won the appreciation of the Commander-in-Chief and reached the highest rank and office of his profession.

3 - A Few Memories of Fevzi Çakmak Reflecting His Military Qualifications and Personality

a - Efforts to prevent the Greeks from going to Izmir

At the beginning of May 1919, while the Greeks were preparing to land in Izmir, the Minister of War, Şakir Pasha, saw these attitudes and behaviors of the Greeks in accordance with the terms of the armistice and gave orders to the relevant people in this way. Fevzi Pasha, who took advantage of the short time that the Minister of War was not in his office, was the Deputy Corps Commander in Izmir (later martyred) Colonel. He had Süleyman Fethi Bey send the following telegram.

“It is possible that the Greeks will occupy İzmir and create a fait accompli by increasing the amount of patrols that have been launched gradually. For this reason, immediately inform the commander of the battleship Averof that if a patrol is launched, the Turkish troops will meet them with weapons. Will this order be fulfilled if they do not listen to "Süleyman Fethi Bey's" and leave? to the question “Yes! It will be fired without hesitation!” he was saying. This communiqué had its effect, and until the day of occupation, the Greek patrols did not set foot in Izmir again.

With the pressure of the Allied Powers, Fevzi Pasha was removed from the General Staff, and the Greeks landed in Izmir on May 15, 1919.

Fevzi Pasha, who was also in the Ministry of War for a while, and Cevat Pasha (Org. Çobanlı), Chief of General Staff, ensured that large amounts of weapons and ammunition were collected in Anatolia and supported the national forces from all sides.

After the British officially occupied Istanbul and deported the Kuva-yı Milliye members, whom they had arrested, to Malta, Fevzi Pasha also went to Anatolia.

b - Events reflecting his calmness, loyalty and faithful personality

After the Rebel Ethem incident, he said in a calm and self-confident manner in the Assembly, “Here, I promise as a deputy of national defense. A week later, I will give you the good news of victory from this rostrum, and the victory during this time brought the Speaker of the Assembly, Mustafa Kemal Pasha, to peace and the country's bad luck was defeated in the Second Battle of İnönü.

After the Kütahya-Eskişehir Battle, in the speeches in the Grand National Assembly, those who attacked the Front Commander were silenced by saying that "Karan himself approved".

c - His reaction against those who want to replace him as Mustafa Kemal Pasha

Among the opposition group in the Grand National Assembly, Mustafa Kemal Pasha's close friends were also in arms. They were worried that he would gradually establish a dictatorship, and they were considering replacing him with Fevzi Pasha. When they brought this matter up to him, Fevzi Pasha said to them:

“Thank you for giving me such a position. But I cannot accept your offer. What you say can never happen. I recommend that you give up working on this path as well. We will all consent to our positions and work together for the rise of the country; We have so much to do that there is plenty for all of us. If we leave this road and get caught up in some political intrigues, we will sink this country. We have no right to this either. Especially, I can't agree to the military meddling in politics. Today I am in the most responsible part of the army. If I accept your offer, a pasha who will replace me tomorrow, trusting that the army is subordinate to him, will overthrow me and take my place. A third pasha imitates him before long. At that time, the country will slide towards military dictatorship and none of the services that the country expects from us can be done.” he said. However, the opponents did not listen to this great man's words and by establishing the Progress-Perver Cumhuriyet Party, they took the dose of opposition to the assassination of Mustafa Kemal Pasha in Izmir. Even Kazım Karabekir Pasha, who had nothing to do with the assassination, who took a harsh stance against them, was given to the Independence Court. Fevzi Pasha also played a role in the rescue of Kazım Karabekir Pasha and some others. Even Kazım Karabekir Pasha, who had nothing to do with the assassination, who took a harsh stance against them, was given to the Independence Court. Fevzi Pasha also played a role in the rescue of Kazım Karabekir Pasha and some others. Even Kazım Karabekir Pasha, who had nothing to do with the assassination, who took a harsh stance against them, was given to the Independence Court. Fevzi Pasha also played a role in the rescue of Kazım Karabekir Pasha and some others.

Somehow, Mustafa Kemal Pasha learned of the above proposal, but he did not give any color, but his respect and trust for this great man increased one more time.

d - After Atatürk's death, Fevzi Çakmak was offered the presidency.

When Ali Said Pasha said that the majority in the Parliament and the army wanted to see you as the President, he said, “I thank our friends for these feelings. But I'm just the Chief of Staff. According to the Constitution, the President can only be elected from within the Assembly. “And can you nominate us?” “I can only say my own opinion. In my opinion, the person who is most worthy to replace Atatürk in the current situation is İsmet İnönü.” He replied, “This is just my own opinion. But whoever the Grand National Assembly deems worthy and elects, he will be my President too. As long as this election is in accordance with the law and the constitution!” He added his words and explained his reasons.

e - Efforts to keep Turkey out of the Second World War

When the Second World War started, he told President İsmet İnönü at every opportunity: “The war is now far from our borders. But it is unclear how it will develop. Our army is not strong enough to fight today's modern armies. We don't have a land claim anyway. We must adhere to Atatürk's principle of "Peace at home, peace in the world". You know how devastated the war devastated the victorious states. Therefore, whatever we will do, we will strengthen our army, but we will try to stay out of the war.”

İsmet İnönü also said that he would always try to carry out this policy and he kept this promise. (This subject is covered extensively in the pocket book of Turkish Elders İsmet İnönü.)2

C - WARS AND BATTLES THAT FEVZİ ÇAKMAK ATTENDED

During the Ottoman-Italian War of 1911-1912, he was the chief of staff of the corps, but he served outside the operation area.

1 - Balkan War of 1912-1913:

The Balkan states developed their ideals, which they had kept alive for years, with external provocations, there were bloody fusions in places, and due to the developments after the 1908 Constitutional Monarchy, they put aside their disagreements and land disputes and united to break up the Ottoman Empire and share its heritage.

On October 14, 1912, a note was given, Serbian and Bulgarian troops began to encroach on our borders, and on October 16, 1912, the Turkish armies took action.

Montenegro, Serbia and Greece united against the Ottoman Empire with the belief that the Bulgarians constituted the essence of all the nations living in the Balkans, and they tried to establish a religious and political union in the Balkans. The Balkan War, which they started to realize these aims and beliefs, caused the Ottoman Empire to evacuate Western Rumelia.

The Vardar Army, of which Fevzi Bey was the Director of the Operations Branch and the Deputy Chief of Staff, was one of the units that evacuated Western Rumelia and carried out this evacuation operation under very bad conditions. However, he did not delay his duty and arrived in Istanbul on 19 June 1913, departing from the Seman pier. Fevzi Çakmak said: “We said goodbye to 500 years of Turkish rule in Western Rumelia. Leaving the piece of homeland that our ancestors watered with their blood for centuries and where many of our martyrs, old and new, were buried, created an incurable pain and longing in our hearts. Western Rumelia, a victim of ignorance and politics, is still struggling with a lot of depression.”

The Turkish Eastern (Eastern) Army had withdrawn to the Pınarhisar-Lüleburgaz general line. While successfully defending this line, on 2 November 1912, Çatalca position was taken behind with the orders of the Commander-in-Chief, based on many reasons. He fought successfully here.

The Western (Western) Army had lost the battle in Komanova.

The Balkan War ended with the Istanbul Treaty signed on September 29, 1913.

2 - The First World War of 1914-1918

The Balkan War was of two periods. The first period took place between the Ottoman Empire and the allied states (Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro), and the second period was between Bulgaria and other states. The Turkish army came out with great losses from this war, and most of the weapons, tools and equipment in the army's hands were destroyed. Our gain consisted of the recapture of Edirne. The weapons, tools and equipment that were lost could not be replaced until the First World War. Therefore, before the Turkish army completed its mobilization, it was in the position of entering the First World War with 20% missing weapons and ammunition, and very missing tools and equipment.

The situation of the Ottoman state was extremely critical and dark in the face of the strength of the political groups formed by the great powers of Europe.

On August 3, 1914, the war had engulfed all of Europe. On October 29, 1914, we joined the war with the tragic game that went down in history as the Black Sea Incident. First, the Russians encroached on the Caucasian border. On November 3, 1914, we went to war with all the Tripartite States, and in turn the fronts began to open.

a - Battles of Çanakkale (3 February 1915 - 9 January 1916)

When the plans of the treaty states to cross the Dardanelles by sea and aid Russia could not reach their goal, they landed on the Gallipoli peninsula on April 25, 1915 in order to lower the straits with a land operation.

Those who went to Seddülbahir started to move in the north direction (Alçıtepe-Maydos), those who went up to Arıburnu started to move in the east direction (Conkbayırı-Maydos). They had planned to seize the peninsula in a day or two. However, when the heavy casualties in Kirte, especially in the 2nd Battle of Kirte on 6 May 1915, were added to their failure in the north, they advanced 300-500 meters and dug up the ground where they could reach and was buried. British blood spilled was not commensurate with earnings. It was also doubtful whether they could hold on to the shores.

Until Admiral De Robeck's new reinforcements arrived, the navy's proposal to force the strait once again was not accepted, and the next thing to do after the attempt to cross the strait was stopped, until the army captured the Kilitbahir plateau, was to reinforce the army sufficiently and to ensure the opening of the Dardanelles in this way. In this case, the Dardanelles problem would be successful, the Turks would be defeated, the Russian Caucasian Army would be released and it would be possible to use these forces in other areas. However, Lord Kitchener was only able to get the 52nd Division out of the troops he promised for the Dardanelles Front, due to the Western Front's persistent requests for reinforcements and ammunition, and the fear of a German landing to be directed against England.3.

While the treaty states were looking for a solution to the Çanakkale problem for three weeks, the 5th Army also took advantage of this time and consolidated its defense order.

The successful conclusion of the 2nd Battle of Kirte increased the confidence of the 5th Army Commander in his troops and enabled him to plan to throw the enemy into the sea by making an attack, especially in the Arıburun section, with the reinforcements he would receive. However, the condemnation of Deputy Commander-in-Chief Enver Pasha with words such as "The Northern Group could not beat the enemy on the two-stepped ground" in the inspection he carried out on 11 May 1915, demoralized the troops and commanders who had been fighting day and night for 15 days. In this context, Weber Pasha was appointed to the Southern Group Command and started to work on 5 May 1915. The attack of the British and French on the 7th Division region was repelled on 9 May, and the 12th Division, which reached Akbaş on 10 May, was placed under the command of this group.

The Third Battle of Kirte, which started on the 4th of June, the birthday of the King of England, lasted for three days. At the same time, show-off attacks were made in Arıburnu. The 9th and 12th Divisions heroically defended the Kirte positions and worn out the enemy with counterattacks they made from time to time. But both sides suffered heavy casualties. The 21st Regiment Commander Lieutenant Colonel Halil's successful replacement of the troops at the front surprised the enemy.4

The battles of Zığındere and Kerevizdere, which took place between 21 June and 6 August, had also worn out the sides. Meanwhile, the Commander of the Southern Group, Weber Pasha, had left and the 2nd Army Commander, Vehip Pasha, was appointed instead. During the 2nd Kerevizdere Battles (on 13 July 1915), Fevzi Pasha took office as the 5th Corps Commander, and Lieutenant Colonel Kazım Karabekir replaced the 4th Division with his 14th Division. With the arrival of the 8th, 10th and 13th Divisions in this region, the Turkish fighting power increased and confidence was established.

The 4th Division of the 55th Corps in Kerevizdere, Colonel Celal; 6th Division, Staff Lieutenant Colonel Şakir; The 7th Division was under the command of Staff Colonel Halil.

The Commander of the 14th Corps in the West was Mirliva Trommer Pasha.

British and French troops in Seddülbahir during the Second Battle of Kerevizdere:

Commander-in-Chief: Sir Jan Hamilton

8th British Corps, Commander: General Hunter Westen 29,42nd and 52nd British Divisions, Royal Naval Division and 13th Division en route to Seddülbahir.

Commander of the French Forces General Bailland 1st and 2nd French Divisions

In this battle, while the above units were bombarding the 4th and 7th Turkish Divisions from land and sea, and 14 aircraft from the air, their infantry were developing their attacks. In the face of the neck-to-neck battle of the Turkish troops, the British had no choice but to flee to their old trenches. The French were also stunned. The 5th Corps units, without waiting for orders, put on bayonets and roared with the voices of God, creating a sight that brought tears to the eyes. Not content with this, they also took back some of the trenches with their night attacks. In this battle, 29 officers from the 5th Corps and 984 privates were martyred.6

Fevzi Pasha was appointed to this position after Colonel Mustafa Kemal left the Anafartalar Group Command due to his illness and remained in this position until the evacuation of the enemy was concluded. (6 December 1915 - 9 January 1916)

b - Battles on the Eastern Front

After the 5th Corps was placed under the command of the 3rd Army, Fevzi Pasha joined the Eastern Front with his corps on March 16, 1916. Army Commander Vehip Pasha appointed Fevzi Pasha as the Commander of the Coruh and Lazistan Fronts. When Fevzi Pasha arrived in Bayburt on March 20, Russian troops were advancing towards Bayburt from the Coruh Valley. The troops under the command of Fevzi Pasha created epics of heroism in the battles in Çoruh, Kaledere and Kop.

Fevzi Pasha was appointed to the 3rd Regional Command on April 19, 1916, and to the Command of the 2nd Caucasian Corps with the organizational change on September 7, 1916.

Fevzi Pasha commanded the 2nd Army in the battles on the Eastern Front as of July 5, 1917. On October 9, 1917, he was appointed to the 7th Army Command and went to the Syrian Front.

In this Front, during the British capture of Jerusalem on December 8, 1917, he engaged the enemy, withdrew his troops in time, and saved them from destruction.

At the beginning of 1918, the 7th Army had withdrawn to the north. To ensure the safety of his right flank, Allenby attacked in the northern direction on February 19, and the Battle of Jericho resulted in the withdrawal of Turkish troops to the north of the Jordan River. Fevzi Pasha was promoted to the Ferik (Lieutenant General) league on 28 July 1918 due to his services here. On September 1, 1918, due to his illness, he left the 7th Army Command to Mustafa Kemal Pasha and returned to Istanbul.

3 - 1919-1922 War of Independence

Based on the Armistice of Mudros, the victorious states of the First World War began to divide Anatolia, which remained from the Ottoman Empire, which they called the Sick Man, and to divide and dominate strategic routes. Minorities provoked and supported by foreign states also engaged in acts of violence.

The people, who saw the disaster that the state and the country were falling, fell into despair. A part of the Turkish community seeking the way of salvation formed the Defense of Law Societies, but these organizations remained regional.

The Ottoman Government was trying not to offend the invading states and was thinking of its own interests. The sultan, on the other hand, was trying to protect his crown and throne.

Some so-called intellectuals were establishing the British Society of Opponents, some wanted an American mandate.

Chief of General Staff Fevzi Pasha is trying to get Mustafa Kemal Pasha to be sent to Anatolia. The sending of Mustafa Kemal Pasha, who had gained the Sultan's great trust, to Anatolia was beneficial in terms of keeping Damat Ferit Pasha in his place, and Mustafa Kemal Pasha, who was appointed to the 9th Army Inspectorate, on 15 May 1919, one day before leaving Istanbul. The Greeks went to Izmir with the request and support of the Allied Powers.

While Mustafa Kemal Pasha was in Istanbul, he met with his close friends and had them support him.

Pasha, who went to Samsun on 19 May 1919, was sincerely supported by his close friends both when he was at the head of his army and after he left his duty and military service. Meanwhile, Fevzi and Cevat Pashas, ​​who were his successors and predecessors in the General Staff and the Ministry of War (Ministry of National Defense), supported him with all their means.

As stated in the life section, on 16 March 1920, during the occupation of Istanbul, Cevat Pasha was exiled to Malta, and Fevzi Pasha was threatened by British officers in his office.

Fevzi Pasha came to Ankara on April 27, 1920, thinking that staying in Istanbul would do more harm than good in this situation. On November 9, 1920, he also acted as the Chief of General Staff for a while after Colonel İsmet Bey, the Chief of the General Staff, was assigned to the Western Front; On August 5, 1921, he left the Ministry of National Defense and became the Chief of General Staff.

a - Battles of İnönü

In these battles, Fevzi Pasha first made great efforts to turn the Turkish Army into a regular army, by accelerating the intelligence activity, he obtained important information about the enemy's strength and the direction of attack in a short time, partially supplied the ammunition need of the Western Front and boosted morale.

b - Battle of Sakarya

Fevzi Pasha, besides the Commander-in-Chief, made much more effort than expected from a Chief of General Staff, and increased the Turkish soldier's belief in victory and his resistance power by running from trench to trench. The Greek offensive, which started on 23 August 1921 and lasted for 22 days and 22 nights, was thus broken and they were forced to retreat to the west of Sakarya on 12 September.

After the Sakarya Pitched Battle, Commander-in-Chief Mustafa Kemal said of Fevzi Pasha in his speech in the Assembly: “I consider it a duty of conscience to commemorate the deceased, who was the cause of this brilliant victory, in your presence and with great respect and appreciation from this podium. The service rendered by Our Chief of the General Staff, Fevzi Pasha, in this field battle is to be remembered with great praise. This very venerable, virtuous and valuable person was present at almost every point of the battlefields day and night, and informed those who needed the afflictive and valuable measures on the spot, and always gave advice that would give relief and increase the spirituality. His extraordinary services are commendable and gratifying.”

c - Great Offensive (Afyon-Dumlupınar Pitched Battle) and Pursuit Operation (26 August - 9 September 1922)

Assistance to the Commander-in-Chief in the preparation of the attack plan and in the execution of the attack; According to the developing situations, his running from front to front was evaluated by Mustafa Kemal Pasha at the Grand National Assembly meeting held on October 4, 1922:

“We had full confidence in the strength, capability and readiness of our army. But once again, we went to the front with His Excellency Fevzi Pasha, the Chief of the General Staff, and reviewed our army from beginning to end. Enemy positions and enemy army were also investigated. The result of this last inspection has strengthened our existing conviction and faith. He gave orders to prepare for the offensive at the time definitively.

Lords! The offensive was to take place within the plan prepared by the Chief of the General Staff, Fevzi Pasha, based on deep knowledge, deep inspiration and experience. After the preparation order was given within this plan, we naturally found it useful to hide our intentions. Accordingly, we returned to Ankara separately from the front with the Chief of the General Staff.”7

d - Lessons Learned from the Works of Marshal Fevzi Çakmak

The lectures given by Marshal Fevzi Çakmak at the War Academies are useful for the young staff of that period and are still circulating today. Lectures such as “The Relation of Strategy with Politics, Main Rules of War Administration and the Importance of Purpose in Strategy” and the information he gave as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Vardar Army are invaluable.

1 - Lessons Learned from the Conferences Given at the War Academies in 1927 on "The Aspect of Western Rumelia and the Western Front in the Balkan War":

In these conferences, the loss of five provinces (Thessaloniki, Kosovo, Manastır, Shkodra, Ioannina) is mentioned, and the defense of a country is discussed, not just one or two field battles. The great soldier said, “Bulgaria entered the First World War and suffered many defeats but remained in existence, whereas our defeat in Rumelia was a definite collapse directly directed towards our presence in Europe.

We can look for the reasons for this collapse in three parts: internal, external relations and operations," he says and explains as follows:

Internal Relations: There was a need for a program that would direct the nation towards certain goals in peace. The thought and policy of the Ottoman Empire was the "Anne-i Islamiye".

The Constitutional administration, which came with the 1908 revolution, did not have a goal either. However, in the War of Independence, the goal was deeply felt and understood by everyone from the soldier to the commander-in-chief. The Armistice of Mudros had ignited the fire of independence in the hearts of the whole nation. They did not exist in the Balkan War. The idea of ​​Turkishness was not developed. There was no unity.

If there is no unity in a nation, the moral strength of the army it will form will also be weak.

Foreign Relations: For the balance of Europe, the French had made an Entente of Müselles. The Government of the Grand National Assembly followed an eastern policy to carry out its ideal. Agreements were made with the Russians and the Afghans. Good relations were established with the Iranians. However, the Ottoman Empire did not have a fundamental policy even during the Constitutional Period. One would become the Prime Minister and follow German politics, and the other would pursue British politics. While following German politics, the Central Powers harmed us. Austria; Annexing Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy occupied Tripoli.

The government did not even know about the unification of the Balkans against us.

The Russians were deceiving the government by assuring that there would be no war and demobilizing the soldiers. He did this in "Lloyd George" during the Anatolian campaign. While the Peace Treaty was being signed with Bekir Sami Bey's delegation in London, the Greeks were preparing to attack. But we did not believe, we were not deceived. With the Second İnönü Victory, we gave them the necessary answer.

Operation: In army formation, it should be clearly stated beforehand whether the purpose of defense or attack will be applied. The Germans thought that they would reach their goals with an offensive plan and the French with a curative plan. Since we did not pursue a policy of invasion, on the contrary, we were confronted with the aggressive attitudes of avaricious governments, our military organization was organized in accordance with the purpose of defense. Almost every part of Rumelia would undoubtedly be defended. According to this situation of the front, it was important to make and protect the contacts and to examine and decide whether the majority of the force would gather in the east or in the center.

There were three corps and three independent divisions in Western Rumelia. Before the mobilization, our military strength in Thrace and Macedonia was twice that of our enemies. Of course, we would maintain our superiority in mobilization. However, 70,000 soldiers were demobilized because of the Russians' promises that there would be no war. Meanwhile, Bulgaria was reinforcing its army under the pretext of maneuvering.

The army also has a spiritual front. Europe came to the conclusion that millions of demoralized Turks could be ruled by 1-2 million Armenians or Greeks and decided to destroy us.

Reflecting the views of Marshal Fevzi Çakmak, who served in the Western Army before and during the Balkan War, this work will shed light on the young officers and the topics to be learned from are given below.

a - The Effects of Politics Introducing the Army on Dispatch and Administration:

“The training and all services of the 1st Division, which came to Albania from Istanbul in 1912, were very regular. Unfortunately, this exemplary division in all respects also fell into partisanship and lost all its qualifications and talents at the instigation of a few officers. So much so that the privates did not recognize their officers, and the officers did not recognize their commanders. ...the influence and prestige of the state were damaged in the chaos that increased day by day ...the panic began. Our Eastern and Western Armies collapsed at the same time. Even when some officers from these defeated units were withdrawing, they were fighting for politics and the opponents could shoot each other. It is very strange; Those who were captives continued such fights among themselves.”

Marshal Fevzi Cakmak; never forgot these days and Gnkur. During his presidency, he always kept the military out of politics.8

b - Strategy - Policy relationship; Main Rules of War Management and Purpose in Strategy

The aim of the strategy to be implemented by the Ottoman Commander-in-Chief in the Balkan War was to eliminate the threat by dragging the enemy to abandon his aim, and to gain a majority of forces against the Bulgarians, the strongest of the allies, by intensifying the power at hand. The Commander-in-Chief did not pursue such a goal, nor was there a strategic purpose in the orders given by the Western Army.

According to the order of the Western Army on October 25, 1912, three corps would defend in Manastır, two corps in Thessaloniki, one corps between İpek and Manastır, and one corps in Shkodra and Ioannina. In this order, apart from the lack of any strategic purpose, the enemies were given the opportunity to defeat the forces piecemeal. Especially leaving the force in Thessaloniki between two enemies is a big mistake. In particular, it is against the expedition plan. Therefore, a force of 40,000 men, and quite a lot of ammunition and equipment, was dumped between Thessaloniki and Serres. With this aimless arrangement, the last hope of success was lost. Gathering the six corps with all their tools and equipment in Manastır would have given us a 100,000-strong Turkish Army, with which success could be achieved by taking advantage of the mistakes of the enemy.

It was appropriate that the Commander of the Western Army wanted to gather the army on the Vardar line. However, the miserable situation of the troops, especially the fact that all the redif and supply soldiers had fled to their hometowns, and the lack of discipline of even the officers in Skopje, created a very disastrous situation.

This aimless and indecisive attitude and situation of the Western Army continued in Koçan and Prilep as well. After meeting in Prilep, the fact that the enemy appeared in the direction of Tetovo and had to send forces to Kırçova again proves that the commander of the Western Army lacked foresight. As a matter of fact, if the 6th Corps had been sent to Sorovic in time, the 18th Division would have been intact, perhaps Thessaloniki would have been saved. In short, success could have been achieved if the Western Army had been led and managed with boldness and courage for a purpose. In that case, to foresee the situation and direct the events, to take the measures to provide situational superiority in a timely manner; It should be kept in mind that developing the tool according to the purpose is a strategy principle.

Considering that the Greeks were advancing in the direction of Kayalar from the south, the Western Army decided to allocate forces to the Soroviç region according to the situation that the Monastery Battles would take, to decriminalize the bandit around Rahmanlı, to take back the 1150-altitude hill; Resne ordered the road to be kept open and came to Filorina from Manastır on the night of 16/17 November with his headquarters.9

c- 18 November 1912 Serbian Operation

General N. Meyer “The Turks, with all their forces on their left flank and some of their general reserve (25,000 - 30,000 men), launched a counterattack on the 2nd Ban Morova Division to reopen the westward road to Ohrid, this division got into a very difficult situation, 1' It was supported by the th Ban Morova and even the 1st Ban Drina Division.”

The same author also writes that the 6th Cavit Pasha Corps came through the opened Resne road, the Serbs retreated there, and the above-mentioned Serbian divisions could not enter Manastir on 18 November.

Bukay, on the other hand, says that the Vardar Army has been surrounded on both sides and is in a position to be destroyed, while the Serbs have lost about 8,000 casualties. The Serbian soldier was very tired and exhausted.

Our casualties were approaching 3,000, of which 1,000 were martyrs, he says. It is understood from these documents that the victory was with the Turks, but they were not aware of it.10

d - According to Lieutenant Colonel Fevzi (Marshal Çakmak) Deputy Chief of Staff of the Vardar Army, the Strength of the Parties:

The number of the Vardar Army was 38,768 and the total number of combatants was 33,000. The local privates (78 battalions) who were partly Christian dispersed after the Monastery withdrawal.

The Serbs had 5 divisions and an independent brigade (80 battalions), the Greeks had 4 divisions (36 battalions), their rifle stock was twice that of the Turks.

Our General Loss in the Monastery Region: 3,500 soldiers, including the casualties in the battle with the Greeks. A great deal of infantry ammunition fell into the hands of the enemy in the Monastery and Florina. The number of captives, including the sick and wounded, was about 3,000, and 50 cannons were left to the enemy.

Lieutenant Colonel Fevzi (Marshal Çakmak), who has been acting as Chief of Staff since May 10, 1913, when Colonel Halil, Chief of Staff of the Vardar Army, went to Istanbul to undergo a change of air, also describes the events of April 1913 as follows.

“The Balkan War, which has been going on for six months, made the need and the need to end the war felt at the same time, in all three groups that fought unaware of each other around Çatalca, Shkodra and Fiyer. The Western Army was unaware of the second armistice in Çatalca in mid-April. An attempt was made to build a new embarkation area, as the assassination, theft and rape activities, similar to the Albanians' martyrdom of Resneli Niyazi Bey with his two friends, continued. Since Istanbul and the European states did not know about the defense of Shkodra, who agreed with the Montenegrins and left the castle with their weapons, the Commander-in-Chief was ordered to stop this movement, which would create a situation contrary to the armistice, assuming that the Western army was marching on Drach. The big European states wanted the Western Army to be removed from that region as soon as possible and peacefully (despite the objection of the Bulgarians to the peaceful removal). As of May, transportation to Istanbul began. 11 In the first half of June 1913, the general strength of the Western Army was as follows.12

                        Vardar Army Out of Shkodra Total

Officer                      1,252 348 1,600

Private                           20.201 7.953 28.154

Animal                     2500 1,100 3,600

Top                               18 26 44

Machine Gun             28 15 43

2 - Lessons Learned from the Conference titled "Move on the Eastern Front in the Great War", which was also given at the Military Academies in 7936:

In the Great War, Turkey opened six major fronts.

1 — Eastern Front

2 — Çanakkale Front

3 — Syrian Front

4 — Iraqi Front

5 — Yemen-Asir-Hijaz Front

6 — Fronts in Europe

Of these, the Dardanelles Front was blocked on the nose of the Gallipoli Peninsula, the Syrian Front extended to the east of the Sharia River in the Mediterranean, and the Iraqi Front remained on both sides of the Tigris. Yemen-Asir-Hijaz is a secondary front, and the fronts in Europe were fronts opened by Enver Pasha to ease the burden of the Germans without considering national benefits.

The Eastern Front, on the other hand, took place as a real strategic operation on a 1,000-kilometer front from the Black Sea to Hemadan, and both sides deployed large units (16 corps, 10 cavalry divisions) on this front. 13

3rd Army: 161,762 privates, 168 guns (92,094 of them were combatants. Real combatants 66.000 when the units without guns and Mt. and lack of training are deducted)

The Russian 3rd Caucasian Army consisted of 120,000 infantry, 12,000 cavalry, and 432 cannons (they had formed new units instead of the two corps they sent to the European front).

As a result of the raid by the Ottoman navy under the command of German Admiral Shoson on Sevastopol and Odessa on 29 October 1914, the Russians crossed our eastern borders and started the war on 1 November 1914. We declared war officially on 11 November 1914. 14

a - Consequences of Entering the First World War: Our entry into the war had the following result

By prolonging the war for two years, both sides were exhausted and a desire for peace emerged from the nations instead of the ambition to crush Germany.

Bolshevikism emerged in the East and shook the social order. Had the war continued, the same would have happened in France, England, and Germany.

Americans opposed European imperialism with Wilson's 14-point principles. It was deemed necessary to cover the invasion policy with mandate ideas, and in this way, the war was ended without a major invasion of the German lands.

If we had not entered this war, Russia would have been stronger before we opened the straits. The Russian and British ground forces and navy allocated to us were to be sent to the Germans. Maybe Bulgaria would not join this war and Austria would be destroyed by Serbia and its allies in a year.

Despite all this, a new Turkey was established, which saved the Turks as much as the spilled Turkish blood saved the Germans. 15

b - Opinions of Fevzi Pasha (Marshal Çakmak), who fought as the 2nd Army Commander in 0 Fronts, on Operations and Battles on the Eastern Front

In the coincidence battle, which we call the Battle of Köprüköy, curved stripes were formed between the 9th and 11th Corps, due to the fact that a road that cuts the front by mail was given, and caused their side fires and fatigue, and the fluctuations of the troops back and forth. In this way, troops can be given an intermission in defense and withdrawal. However, in the attack and pursuit, vertical stripes should be given to the withdrawal paths of the enemy so that a definite result can be obtained. It is seen that there is no main idea in the administration and administration of the 3rd Army. There is progress as a result of chance combat, a reconnaissance attack, and pressure from the grand headquarters. This movement developed with the heroism of the commanders and soldiers alone.

As for the Battle of Azap, it is understood from Maslofski's work that we won the Battle of Azap. The Russians panicked. On November 20, 21, the Russian front was in a tight situation. As the enemy's arms and trains panicked on 21 November, 1st Corps Commander Berhman and chief of staff fled to Sarıkamış and informed Tbilisi that the Turks had won the battle. Chief of Staff of the Army Yudenic is coming from Tbilisi to examine the situation. While he was trying to stop the troops, 3rd Army Commander Hasan İzzet Pasha, by a strange coincidence, also decided to withdraw that night. (The reason is that a lot of ammunition was wasted, a small success of the Russian Brigade in Id and Narman was enlarged. However, this could have been prevented with the 30th Division) The withdrawal was made on a stormy night. Some corps commanders were upset. The military's confidence was shaken. Gnkur. Its 2nd President, Colonel Hafız Hakkı, was sent to the front. He came to Köprüköy on 2 December and examined the situation. He suggested to the Deputy Commander-in-Chief to encircle the enemy with two corps while attacking from the front with one corps. Enver Pasha also arrived on the Eastern Front in mid-December. Meanwhile, Poselt Pasha, whom he brought with him at the Commander-in-Chief; He was making preparations in Erzurum to besiege Kars. 16

c - Enver Pasha's Taking Command on the Eastern Front and the Sarikamis Disaster

After Enver Pasha came to the Eastern Front, he gave the task of detecting the Russians in Dagestan and Turkestan to the divisions that would move with a radius of 500, 600 and even 1,000 kilometers away from the 3rd Army, which made the Caucasian movement.

In order to save Iran and Afghanistan from Russian and British influence, it would be wiser to send some talented people with money instead of divisions and gradually attract these people to their side.

As for Colonel Hafız Hakkı Bey's plan: “When the enemy sees a man behind him, he runs away, this is the nature of the Russians. That's what the Germans did in Tamenberg," big flip moves were considered. The Germans supported this view. Colonel Hafız Hakkı wanted to force the Russians to a reverse battle before they escape and capture Kars by raid. He also reinforced Stanke Bey's detachment (2 battalions) with a few border battalions and gangs, smaller than Enver Pasha's arcs in Iran, and sent the 10th Corps to Novoselim via Oltu, via Ardahan, to Novoselim. He was going to send the Corps to Sarıkamış via Bardız, which was impossible. Because the distance between them was far. He could not converge on the battlefield just in time. During this time, they were leaving the 11th Corps to advance from the front. Cannon types were not suitable for operation.

The 3rd Army Commander Hasan İzzet Pasha, who saw the truth and opposed this plan, was dismissed. Enver Pasha took command.

Hasan İzzet Pasha was passive, Hafız Hakkı and Enver Pasha were very active. Since a normal commander could not be found in the middle of the two at work, Sarıkamış disaster occurred.

Between 27-31 December 1915, the Novoselim line was cut, the radios were broken, and Russia could not hear from Sarıkamış. Myşlayevsky went to Tbilisi, and on January 2, 1915, Grand Duke Nikola, who was in command of the Russian armies, asked England to determine the Turkish forces. Thereupon, the British began negotiations for the Dardanelles operation. At this time, the Sarıkamış disaster occurred and this success of the Russians made the British suspicious. For this reason, they decided to open the Çanakkale Front on February 19, 1915. 17

d - How should the Sarıkamış Operation be carried out?

On the first day, on December 22, 1914, the Oltu offensive in the north and the operation of our cavalry division in the south should have been launched to threaten both sides of the enemy.

On 23 December, the 9th Corps should advance to the Kızılkilise - Mihkar line, the 10th Corps from Oltu to the Çitak-Çardaklı line, the Crew Division should advance from Tuzla to Kop, and on 24 December, the whole army attacked the enemy from all sides early and gave a definite result. should have been taken.

e - Turkish and Russian Forces Participating in the Sarıkamış Operation and Casualties of Both Sides

The Turkish force participating in the Sarıkamış operation is 118,000 people, 75,000 rifles, 170 cannons. The strength of the Russians is also close to this.

The Russians had taken 7,000 prisoners. These were the wounded and the sick. The casualties are considered to be 40,000. What happened to 78,000 people? Even the 3rd Army Chief of Staff, German Colonel Göze, cannot account for this. Later, it was determined that 38,000 people came to the hospitals, and it was recorded that 10,000 people died every month. Thus, the death toll reached 60,000, typhus (fever-yi racia), dysentery, typhoid... etc. He had decimated the military.

Russian writers state the Russian casualties as 32,000.

Hafız Hakkı, who prepared this disaster, was promoted to the Pasha and became the 3rd Army Commander, also died of typhus.18

f- Arrival of the 2nd Army on the Eastern Front

Until the end of 1915, we fought various battles on this front. After the enemy withdrew from Çanakkale, Deputy Commander-in-Chief Enver Pasha did not think of sending troops to the Syrian deserts due to the difficulty of subsistence. The newly arrived British forces besieged in Tavshend in Iraq were also stopped. We had Kermanshah in Iran.

Force was requested for the Eastern Front. Enver Pasha, saying "You can withdraw as far as Sivas in the face of Russian pressure", devoted all his aim to gathering forces in Europe at the place of definite result. He was offering Falkenhayn the use of this force at that location. Falkenhayn, your forces need rest. He said defend your borders. Despite this, a corps was sent to Galicia, Macedonia and Romania, and many homeland sons were buried in these countries. Finally, after the withdrawal from Erzurum, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief decided to set out the 2nd Army on 14 April 1916 to evacuate the hometown from the enemy, to attack from Diyarbakır and further east to Erzurum and the Russians in the north and back. The 2nd Army, under the command of First Ferik (General) Ahmet İzzet Pasha, consisted of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 16th Corps. On the Eastern Front, the 2nd Army fought successfully. Especially the 16th Corps under the command of Mustafa Kemal Pasha recaptured Bitlis and Muş from the Russians on 7 August 1916.

Some disagreements arose between Ahmet İzzet Pasha, who also assumed the command of the Eastern Front, and Vehip Pasha, the Commander of the 3rd Army, regarding the direction and administration of the operation, and Ahmet İzzet Pasha left his post on 25 November 1916 and went to Istanbul.

Mustafa Kemal Pasha, who was acting as the 2nd Army Commander for a while, was originally appointed to the 2nd Army Command on March 7, 1917. Upon Mustafa Kemal Pasha's appointment to the 7th Army Command on July 5, 1917, Fevzi Pasha, who was in the 3rd Army Command at the time, was assigned to the 2nd Army Command and started his new duty on 27 July.

Towards the end of July, the Germans broke through the Russian front in Galicia, weakening the Kerensky government.

Fevzi Pasha became the 7th Army Commander on 9 October and arrived in Aleppo on 13 October. Despite the efforts of the British in Iraq and Syria, due to the deterioration of the general situation of the Russians, on November 2, 1917, when the supporters of Lenin overthrew Kerensky, the Bolsheviks dominated Russia and demanded peace. On December 7, an armistice agreement was signed between Russia, Germany and Austria. On December 16, the Caucasus Army Group was abolished. On December 18, 1917, an armistice agreement was signed between us and the Russians in Erzincan.

Meanwhile, five Armenian battalions gathered and organized in Van and began to persecute Muslims everywhere. The Bolsheviks also accelerated the propaganda by prolonging the peace talks. Thereupon, the Germans broke the agreement and went on the offensive.

In order to save the Turks from the Armenian oppression, the 2nd and 3rd Armies were also ordered to advance. Kelkit was occupied on 7 February. The 3rd Army went to Erzincan and the 2nd Army went to Aleppo. Thereupon, the Bolsheviks again demanded peace. On March 3, 1918, the Treaty of Brestlitovsk was concluded. 19

g - Forward Operation of the 3rd Army

On February 12, 1918, the 3rd Army moved forward in the Erzincan-Bayburt direction. There was no longer any conflict between us and the Russian Army. The forces we encountered consisted of Armenians. These, too, were withdrawing in the general direction of Erzurum-Van. They were attacked by the people of Dersim in the Sansa Strait and suffered the punishment for their cruelty to the Turks in Erzincan.

Ardahan was occupied on 3 April. On April 8, the 4th Corps took Van from the Armenians. Meanwhile, there were 25,000 combatants in the 3rd Army.

Batumi on April 14 and Kars on April 25 were captured and 589 cannons, 2,525 rifles, several planes, and two thousand tons of provisions were captured.

On May 15, Yakup Şevki Pasha group (Org. Subasi) took Gyumri. The Armenians continued to withdraw.

The 1st Caucasian Corps moved towards Yerevan. He took Karakilise on May 26. On 28 May, the 15th Division landed in Batumi. On May 31, 1918, an agreement was made with the Armenians and the operation was stopped.

The 4th Corps' operation in Iran continued to stop the British advance and Tabriz was occupied on 8 June. Meanwhile, Armenian forces wanted to break through our Shahtahti-Tabriz line and unite with Antranik forces and make the British dominate Azerbaijan. They failed. We took Rumiye on 31 July and Baku on 15 September.

h - Withdrawal of Turkish Armies in the Caucasus

Capturing the Caucasus, Azerbaijan and Baku was the result of the invasion idea that Enver Pasha had been following for a long time. Elviye-i selâse was our right. The establishment of the Islamic Army in Azerbaijan was an adventure. The desired army could not be made from a tribe that was crushed under Russian pressure for a century and did not like military service.

While pursuing an invasion in the Caucasus and making plans for the capture of Baghdad through Iran, the neglected Palestinian front remained weak and our armies there were defeated. The Armistice Agreement dealt the final blow to Enver Pasha's dreams. We had to give back the places we took by shedding blood.20

E - POLITICAL LIFE OF FEVZİ ÇAKMAK

1 - Fevzi Çakmak, Independent Candidate in the Democratic Party List

Although it was a short time after the establishment of the Democratic Party, this party was embraced by the masses of the people almost all over the country. For this reason, rumors were spreading that the Democratic Party was a collusion party and even that it was run by communists. If Fevzi Pasha joined this party, the Democrat Party would be freed from these heavy accusations. In order to achieve this, Celal Bayar personally contacted him and asked him to give honor to their party.

When Fevzi Çakmak declared that he would not join any political party, this time he and Tevfik Rüştü Aras requested him to be an independent candidate on the Democratic Party list. Unable to offend his old friends, he accepted this offer and was elected to the parliament in the 21 July 1946 elections with a large vote difference from Istanbul and Kastamonu. He accepted the Istanbul Deputy, and in this way his political life began.

In the Presidential election, Democrats gave all their votes to Fevzi Çakmak. Since the People's Party was in the majority at that time, İsmet İnönü was elected as the President.

2 - Fevzi Çakmak, Honorary Chairman of the Nation Party

There were disagreements within the Democratic Party, and five deputies were expelled from the party, and six deputies left on their own accord. They wanted to establish a new party and bring Fevzi Pasha as its chairman.

Democrat Party members were thinking of winning the next elections and bringing Celal Bayar to the Presidency and Adnan Menderes to the Presidency. What would happen to Fevzi Pasha in this case? That's why they didn't show him the old attention. The great show of affection made to Marshal during his last trip to Izmir also angered the government and frightened the opposition. He was criticized by the founders of the Democratic Party.

In this case, Fevzi Çakmak accepted the offer of the founders of the Nation Party, which he found more sincere, and became the honorary chairman of this party and published a declaration to the public. He explained the reasons for the establishment of the Nation Party and its program. This declaration and the establishment of the Nation Party created repercussions in the country. He was constantly bullied by other parties, and even National Party Kütahya Deputy Ahmet Tahtakiliç was attacked and beaten by three People's Party MPs for a speech he made in the Parliament.

Marshal Fevzi Çakmak died on Monday, April 10, 1950 at 07.30 and was buried in Eyüp Cemetery.

In the elections held on May 14, 1950, the Democratic Party came to power with the votes of the opposition. 21

CONCLUSION

Fevzi Çakmak spent most of his life as a soldier, and his political life was short-lived.

He fought in the most unfavorable conditions as a soldier, as a politician he faced the attacks of the government and the opposition, and played an important role in his country's participation in the Second World War.

With his honesty, foresight, knowledge, judgment, decisive determination, courage and justice, he led the masses after him, endured physical difficulties, always made self-sacrifice, worked hard, trained many valuable officers and commanders, and devoted to Atatürk's reforms and principles, whose works are still used today. He was a great soldier and a very respected person.

Biographies of 1st Division and Higher Level Commanders Participating in the Turkish War of Independence; Gnkur. War History Presidency Publication, Ankara, Gnkur. Press, 1989.

— Commanders Mentioned in Turkish War History Courses; War Academies Command, Istanbul, War Academies Press, 1983, p. 265-275.

— File of Biographies of Marshal Fevzi ÇAKMAK, Covering 24 January 1987-18 January 1944, Gnkur, Archives of ATASE Presidency 1-228, Cabinet No. 59, Eye 10, File.3 F. 1-4, 1-5-

2 ATATÜRK Kemal; NUTUK, Vol.II, Ankara Prime Ministry Press, 1984, p.302, 343, 397. 398, 416, 418, 454, 504, 540.

— Biographies of Commanders Mentioned in NUTUK, Gnkur. ATASE Presidency, Ankara Gnkur. Press, 1981, p.8.

— Commanders Mentioned in Turkish War History Courses; p.263-275.

— Biographies of Marshal Fevzi ÇAKMAK, Gnkur. Archive of ATASE Presidency: 1-228, Cabinet No.59, Eye.10, Dos.3, F.12, 13.

— Memoirs of Marshal ÇAKMAK; The copy of Hürriyet Newspaper, dated April 10, 1975, numbered 9691 and its continuation, Narrated by Adnan ÇAKMAK, Written by Murat SERTOĞLU

3 Turkish War in the First World War; CV 3rd book, Çanakkale Front Operation, Gnkur. ATASE Head. Ankara, Gnkur. Press, 1980, pp.10-12.

4 years old; p.43.

5 years old; s. 142.

6 years old; s. 230-250.

7 Commanders Mentioned in Turkish War History Courses; War Academies Command Istanbul, War Academies Press, 1983, p.263, 275.

Memoirs of Marshal Fevzi Çakmak; The copy of Hürriyet Newspaper, day 9691, on April 10, 1975, and its continuation. Narrated by Adnan ÇAKMAK, by Murat SERTOĞLU.

Minutes of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

8 Conferences on Western Rumeli's Suret-i Ziyai and the Western Front in the Balkan War; Istanbul, War Academies Printing House 1927, p.15, 16.

9 ibid; p.180, 181, 188.

10 years; p.282, 285.

11 ibid; p.470,471.

112 ibid; p.306.

13 Movements of the Eastern Front in the Great War; Istanbul, War Academies Printing House, 1936, p.1.

14 ibid; p.11, 17.

15 ibid; p.21.

16 ibid; p.39, 40.

17 ibid; 5.47,48,67,68.

18 years old; s. 69, 78, 79, 80.

19 ibid; s. 121,149.

20 years old; s. 267, 273, 281.

21 Footnotes to section E.

1-Memories of Marshal ÇAKMAK Hürriyet Newspaper, 10 April 1975, numbered 9691 and its continuation. Narrated by: Adnan ÇAKMAK Posted by Murat SERTOĞLU

2 - From the Minutes of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.

Nusret Baycan*

*Retired Staff Colonel

Source: ATATÜRK ARAŞTIRMA MERKEZİ DERGİSİ, Sayı 16, Cilt VI, Kasım 1989