Regional Developments

Atatürk’ün Askeri Hayatı- Ali Haydar Onatça

1. Childhood and Military Academy Years (1881–1905)

Our Great Leader, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, was born in 1881 in Thessaloniki. His interest in military education began at an early age, leading him to enter the Military Junior High School in Thessaloniki in 1893. It was there that his mathematics teacher, Captain Mustafa Sabri, gave him the name "Kemal", and he became known as Mustafa Kemal. He later graduated from the Monastir Military High School and entered the Ottoman Military Academy in Istanbul in 1899. He successfully completed his military education, graduating as a Second Lieutenant in 1902 and as a Staff Captain in 1905. 

2. Years in Damascus, Thessaloniki, and Tripoli (1905–1912)

After graduation, his first assignment was with the 5th Army in Damascus. There, he developed his military and political ideas and connected with groups fighting for the independence of the homeland. In 1907, he was appointed to Thessaloniki and served in the 3rd Army. While he did not join the Committee of Union and Progress, he supported the proclamation of the Second Constitutional Era. In 1911, he participated in the Italo-Turkish War in Tripoli to resist the Italian invasion. His successes in the Derna and Tobruk regions quickly brought him recognition.  

3. Balkan Wars (1912–1913)

During the Balkan Wars of 1912–1913, he served in Gelibolu (Gallipoli) and Bolayır. He was noted for his military expertise and operational skill during this time. He also contributed significantly to the defense of Çatalca and Edirne.  

4. Mustafa Kemal in World War I (1914–1918)

a. Gallipoli Front (1915–1916)

Mustafa Kemal’s military genius became known worldwide during the Gallipoli Campaign.  

• As the commander of the 19th Division, he stopped the ANZAC landing on April 25, 1915.  

• His famous words, “I do not order you to attack, I order you to die!”, inspired his soldiers.  

• His victories in Anafartalar, Chunuk Bair, and Arıburnu proved that Gallipoli was impenetrable.  

• These achievements made him a national hero.  

b. Caucasus (Eastern) Front (1916–1917)

In 1916, he served on the Eastern Front, where he liberated Bitlis and Muş from Russian occupation. For these accomplishments, he was promoted to Brigadier General.  

c. Syria–Palestine Front (1917–1918)

In 1917, he was appointed commander of the 7th Army. During the British offensive, he successfully conducted a strategic withdrawal that saved the army from destruction.  

5. The National Struggle and War of Independence (1919–1922)

a. Landing in Samsun (May 19, 1919)

Mustafa Kemal arrived in Samsun on May 19, 1919, as the Inspector of the 9th Army. This date marks the beginning of the Turkish National Struggle.  

b. Erzurum and Sivas Congresses

In 1919, he organized the Erzurum and Sivas congresses, which established the fundamental principles of the National Struggle:  

• The indivisibility of the homeland.  

• The supremacy of national will.  

• Independence.  

c. Opening of the Grand National Assembly (April 23, 1920)

He opened the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in Ankara on April 23, 1920, assuming both political and military leadership.  

d. The Battle of Sakarya and the Great Offensive

In 1921, he halted the Greek advance with the Battle of Sakarya. After this victory, he was given the titles of Gazi and Field Marshal (Mareşal).  

On August 26, 1922, he launched the Great Offensive, winning the Battle of the Commander-in-Chief on August 30. The war definitively ended with the liberation of Izmir on September 9, 1922.  

Conclusion

Throughout his military life, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk played a defining role in Turkey’s struggle for independence with his strategic intelligence, leadership, and devotion to the nation. His military achievements laid the foundation for the establishment of modern Turkey. His military genius ensured Turkey's independence and the establishment of the modern state. 

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's Military Life (Summary)

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's military career laid the foundation for the Republic of Turkey.

• Education: Graduated as a Staff Captain in 1905.

• WWI Heroism: Became a national hero with his victories at the Gallipoli Front (1915), notably at Anafartalar. He was promoted to Brigadier General for his success on the Caucasus Front in 1916.

• War of Independence (1919-1922): He started the National Struggle by landing in Samsun on May 19, 1919.

• He opened the Grand National Assembly (1920).

• He won the Battle of Sakarya (1921), earning the titles Gazi and Field Marshal (Mareşal).

• He definitively ended the war with the Battle of the Commander-in-Chief (Great Offensive - 1922).

His military genius ensured Turkey's independence and the establishment of the modern state