How Did the German Commander Help Us in the Battle of Gallipoli?

The glorious victory of our history celebrates its 109th anniversary today. While we suffered defeats in this epic battle, we also achieved important gains. Both with the success of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the struggle of the Turkish soldiers with all their determination and heroism. The Battle of Gallipoli was one of the turning points of World War I.

There was another commander who had a share in writing this victory, who played an important role in the battle and changed all strategies: Otto Liman von Sanders.

Liman von Sanders was born on July 17, 1855, the son of a large plantation owner in Pomerania.

in Berlin in 1874 He joined the army after graduating from Friedrich-Wilhelm High School and was assigned to the Essen Guard Corps. He received training at the Military Academy and served in the light cavalry regiment, general staff and cavalry brigade.

He was promoted to the rank of colonel in 1904, brigadier general in 1908, and major general in 1911. To the 22nd Division Command in Kassel was appointed.

He was elevated to the title of nobility on July 16, 1913.

Partner Amalie von Sanders Due to his death in 1906, he added the surname “von Sanders” to his middle-class name, which became Liman. Now Liman von Sanders has become an important name of World War I. Atatürk’s visit both in Çanakkale and On the Sinai-Palestine Front He became known as a soldier under whom he worked, who became a Turkish Marshal while being a German Major General.

Sanders after the Balkan War The plight of the Turkish army He came to Istanbul on 14 December 1913 as the head of the German Improvement Delegation sent to Turkey upon the request of Grand Vizier Mahmut Şevket Pasha for the purpose of reforming the situation.

This is how his story with us began…

In accordance with the agreement, the chairman of the delegation would be given broad powers and the delegation members would be promoted, but Russia, England and Franceobjected to this regulation. They argued that it was unacceptable for ambassadors serving in the capital to serve in a city under German control.

In order to get rid of these pressures, the Ottoman administration He offered Liman Pasha the 2nd Corps Command in Edirne. However, Liman Pasha rejected this offer. As Germany raised his rank, the Ottoman administration had to give him the title of Marshal.

Liman Pasha, with his new rank, which was now too old for corps commander Inspector General of the Ottoman Armies was appointed as.

With the start of World War I, Sanders was appointed head of the 1st Army based in Istanbul.

After the Dardanelles naval victory, Upon understanding that the British and French were planning a land operation against ÇanakkaleAt the request of Liman Pasha and other Germans, the 5th Army was established and Liman Pasha was appointed as the commander of this army.

Liman Pasha, before 3rd Army Command on the Caucasian FrontAlthough he rejected their offer, he accepted this position. When he arrived at Gallipoli, he changed the coastal defenses and created a formation that allowed the British and French to land.

The Çanakkale land wars, which started on April 25, 1915, continued for 8.5 months as a result of the decisions taken by Liman Pasha. During this period, the Turkish army paid great prices.

500,000 British and French soldiers, who would provide relief to Germany on the European Western front, were kept on the Gallipoli Peninsula. Liman Pasha’s most successful work in the Gallipoli War was undoubtedly He appointed Colonel Mustafa Kemal to replace the Anafartalar Group Commander, whom he dismissed on 8 August 1915.

We know that a watch prevented the shrapnel that hit Atatürk’s heart in Chunuk Bair on August 10, 1915. Atatürk later bought this pocket watch, which prevented him from getting injured in battles, to his colleague. To Liman von Sanders will give it as a gift.

With his new duty, Mustafa Kemal gained national hero status and took a place in our hearts as “Anafartalar Hero Mustafa Kemal”.

This was the birth of the national hero that the Turkish nation had been waiting for. However, soon with the influence of Liman Pasha’s removal of Atatürk from Çanakkale while the war was continuing, Some events took place.

On October 31, 1915, the deputy commander-in-chief, Enver Pasha, To Anafartalar Group Headquarters When he arrived, Liman Pasha told Mustafa Kemal that the 2nd Turkish Army in Thrace should march to Thessaloniki. Mustafa Kemal refused, thinking that this move would only serve German interests.

During this period, there were tense days between the two.

Liman Pasha on 27 February 1918 on the Sinai-Palestine Front Yıldırım was appointed as the Commander of the Army Group. However, on September 19, 1918, a report stating that the British army would launch a major attack reached Atatürk.

Even though Ataturk took the necessary precautions, Liman Pasha did not take the report seriously and was left unprepared for the consequences. The British army went on the offensive, three armies were in danger.

Ataturk tried to gather the distraught troops and create a new defense line.

Without his authority, he ordered all troops to withdraw to Aleppo, which It meant using Liman Pasha’s authority. Liman Pasha, “This is the decision; but I am finally a foreigner, I cannot make this decision, only the owners of the country can make this.” He decided to implement Ataturk’s order and the troops withdrew from Palestine to Aleppo.

Thanks to this order from Sanders, the scattered troops were gathered and Soldiers and weapons that can be used in the War of Independence In addition to being held, the British advance was halted north of Aleppo.

This situation was similar to Atatürk’s spontaneous attack against the enemy who landed at Arıburnu with the 19th Division in Çanakkale.

With that movement He prevented defeat in Çanakkale and saved Istanbul. With this action, he saved the last remaining forces in Syria from extinction and drew Turkey’s border with Syria.

We don’t know if it is an interesting coincidence or fate, but in both cases, the commander he is affiliated with It was Liman Pasha himself.

Ottoman Empire, later He signed the Armistice of Mudros on 30 October 1918. On the same day, Grand Vizier Izzet Pasha asked Liman Pasha to surrender the command to Mustafa Kemal Pasha and return to Istanbul. The handover was made on 31 October and Liman Pasha returned to Istanbul.

He stayed in Istanbul until the end of January 1919, as the German Government gave Liman Pasha the task of returning all German officers and men in Turkey.

On January 29, 1919, he left Istanbul by ferry with a group of Germans. Ferry It stopped by Malta Island on February 3. and the British here detained him, saying that Liman Pasha was a prisoner of war.

He started writing his memoirs, which we have today, while he was a prisoner there. He was released on August 21 and returned to Germany. His memoirs were published under the name “5 Years in Turkey” in Germany in 1920 and in Turkey in 1921. He passed away in 1929.

It is engraved with the names of our soldiers who showed that they did not bow to anyone with their epic heroism in Turkish history. Our March 18 Çanakkale Victory Happy 109th anniversary.

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