Erka Group

Monday, 25 April 2005
The Battle of Anzac Cove, Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915, Part 1
Topic: Tk - Bks - 1/33IR

The Battle of Anzac Cove

Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915

Part 1

Extract from a diary found on a dead Turkish Officer, the major commanding 1st Battalion, 33^rd Infantry Regiment, Gallipoli, 30 April 1915.

Extracts from a diary found on a dead Turkish Officer(Major Commanding 1^st Battalion 33^rd Regiment)South West of Nojacre 27 April 1915

At 8pm the battalion in connection with the Regiment advanced to the reserve lines. I received orders to make a vigorous attack on the enemy with the 72^nd Regiment which was the first line in support. Though the attack was to be general on the whole front, the officer commanding the 72^nd Regiment signalled to me he was not able to reinforce the right and left wings, as a result of the incomplete attack the three companies of our Battalion were told to extend in line, and attack in open order: although both officers and men rushed forward to take the enemy's position, no one was able to locate it, and our men continued to advance but these movements were impeded by some pine trees and a number of officers and NCO's. In this way the companies, which were already short of reinforcements, however our men loved to use the bayonet, advanced continuously but at the moment, when they were about to drive the enemy into the sea, it was impossible to stop the fusillade. This caused the belief that our men were firing on each other and there was a moment of confusion. The enemy as shown the sketch occupied several hills and it was impossible to fire on them without exposing ourselves to a flanking line. Orders were given to withdraw to a distance of 250 to 300 metres.

This diary came into the hands of the defending Australian soldiers at Gallipoli. It gives an extraordinary insight into the actions of the Turkish forces in their efforts to repel the Anzac invasion.

Sunday, 24 April 2005
Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915, Part 2
Topic: Tk - Bks - 1/33IR

The Battle of Anzac Cove

Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915

Part 2

Extract from a diary found on a dead Turkish Officer, the major commanding 1^st Battalion, 33^rd Infantry Regiment, Gallipoli, 30 April 1915.

To OC 7^th Regiment 29 April 1915

The third battalion of the 27^th Regiment in conjunction with 2^nd Battalion of the 32^nd Regiment should support the right wing. The first was estimated on the right wing. A squad from each company is detailed for sniping, and the remainder are to be in the trenches, up to now the strength of each company has been 150 men, a squad of which is snipers. (NB. The full strength of a company is 250 men.)

Left Wing Order 29 April 1915

1. Owing to the death of Kamahan Stevhie Beir, the command of the section is now given to me. I hope with the help of God to work this properly and loyally. God helps the servant who works diligently therefore each official must pay attention to his duties.
2. As stated a Divisional Order to be secure from the enemy depends on steadfastness: which must be attained by good tactics. The lines of defence must be strongly and carefully maintained. The men should not be allowed to rove about here and there. Every battalion taking advantage of night, must collect the arms of the killed and send same to the rear every effort must be made to clear the battlefield.
3. Line of communication must be protected, and the smallest movement of the enemy at any place must be notified at once.
4. The transport of ammunition, food stuffs and other important necessities must be carried out either in the evening or at dawn only, nothing but more water may be brought in at day time.

As an Australian, it is difficult to place myself in the position of the "enemy" and yet that is the intent of this diary entry. These entries are important in understanding how the person on the other side of the trench viewed the Allied forces. By showing the other side, these men are no longer shadows described by the term "Turk" but living and breathing humans who felt the same anguish, fears and problems that focus the commonality of a shared humanity in an unfortunate fratricidal conflict. It is refreshing to know that any animus that might have existed has long been consigned to the waste bins of history. As Turkish archives become readily available and more accessible to Turks and international scholars, so this understanding will increase and jingoistic books that demonise for patronise "Jacko" can also diminish in their power.

Sunday, 24 April 2005
The Battle of Anzac Cove, Map detailing the placement of 1/33 IR, 25 April 1915 - Part 2
Topic: Tk - Bks - 1/33IR

The Battle of Anzac Cove

Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915

Placement of 1/33 IR, 25 April 1915 - Part 2

To trace the movement of the 1^st Battalion, 33^rd Infantry Regiment, 11^th Division, the starting place is just south of Kumkale in Anatolia. At the little town called Pinarbasi the 11^th Infantry Division had its Headquarters and the 1^st Battalion remained with other battalions of the Regiment. Care must be taken here as this Pinarbasi is not the major regional town of the same name in the east of Anatolia. The above map gives the location of the forces around Kumkale after the dawn attack of the Allies on 25 April 1915.

Saturday, 23 April 2005
The Battle of Anzac Cove, Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915, Part 3
Topic: Tk - Bks - 1/33IR

The Battle of Anzac Cove

Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915

Part 3

Extract from a diary found on a dead Turkish Officer, the major commanding 1st Battalion, 33^rd Infantry Regiment, Gallipoli, 30 April 1915.

Divisional Orders

1. Stores have been established at Maidos - Bigali Village and at the Barracks of Bigali for the purpose of storing there in the arms and equipment of soldiers wounded and killed.
2. Every advantage must be taken of the empty transport returning from advanced lines, for conveying these arms etc.

Note: It has been explained to OC Battalions that as stated in above order, all these arms and etc must be sent to these stores so as to lose nothing whatever of same.

To OC 33^rd Regiment 30 April 1915

The 2^nd Battalion of the 125^th Regiment which was to come to our left wing is not there, but a whole company of it is at Nvur rear. This evening a company of this very battalion came to take a position to our left, but with great noise and shouting of orders, it showed itself to the enemy. The squad officer was killed and all the men ran away. Our left wing is still empty. Le Zia Effendi of the 125^th Regiment is in the rear of that squad and as everyone of my battalion is very important, and as on the left wing, no help was forthcoming from any quarter, we are on the defensive, meeting with extreme hardships. I submit that it is more necessary that the position of the detachment detailed from the 12^th Regiment to our Regiment should be reinforced, and the small fortification found in the neighbourhood would be taken in hand and made use of as it is most important that the safety of our left wing be ensured.

Thursday, 21 April 2005
The Battle of Anzac Cove, Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915, Part 4
Topic: Tk - Bks - 1/33IR

The Battle of Anzac Cove

Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915

Part 4

Extract from a diary found on a dead Turkish Officer, the major commanding 1st Battalion, 33^rd Infantry Regiment, Gallipoli, 30 April 1915.

Note: That the strength of the following squads of the Battalion, No's. 1, 2 and 3 of 33^rd Regiment is composed of 20, 3 and 50 men respectively, is known to OC 2^nd Battalion of the 128^th Regiment. They have remained without food for the last four days, but sufficient bread was sent last night. Please let it be known that the bread and other allowances of the remaining battalions are to be found in the zone of the 125^th Regiment. This squad is commanded by Sergt Kalil of the 3^rd Battalion.

Shrapnel burst in some of our Battalion with the following result:

Company	Killed	Wounded
No.1	2	5
No.2	5	5
No.3	5	5

Very PressingTo OC Artillery, 30 May 1915, 6.15 am.

Our fleet is heavily is heavily bombarding our advanced zone, please for immediate remedy.

(Sgd) Major, OC 1^st Battalion.

To OC 1^{st and 3rd Battalions 30 April 1915 and CO.}

Send at once by mounted man to 3^rd division. Do you not see that it is convenient to change your position, to strengthen the trenches with the weal lines of snipers, and to send here under cover other available men, and that it is hoped all means will be taken to protect the snipers.

(Sgd) Acting Officer Commanding 33^rd Regiment.

While things may not have been goood for the troops at Anzac, the above document indicates things were even worse for the Turks trying their best to mount a defence and offence. This document speaks of trooops starving and problems with friendly fire which is just as devastating as hostile fire.

Thursday, 21 April 2005
Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915, Part 5
Topic: Tk - Bks - 1/33IR

The Battle of Anzac Cove

Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915

Part 5

Extract from a diary found on a dead Turkish Officer, the major commanding 1^st Battalion, 33^rd Infantry Regiment, Gallipoli, 30 April 1915.

Divisional OrdersFrom Artillery Headquarters on 29^th and 30^th April 1915

To complete our force, 3 Infantry Battalions, the machine guns and artillery now in Venichernak must joint it on receiving this reinforcement, and with the help of God, we shall give the enemy a decisive and final blow, now in order to reap the fruits of the great and heroic deeds which you have performed during the last 5 days and nights, I strongly recommend you to further strengthen tonight the positions you are holding, to see that your detachments are in touch with each other and in good order, that greater attention be paid to their order and command, that your reinforcements and reserves be so posted as to be readily available if needed. Finally you will see that your men get as much rest as possible, and you should personally inspect, any sleepy parts of them. To insure the carrying out of these points, you should not forget that it can only be done by the OC's giving the greatest personal attention tonight to their detachments. I especially ask the artillery to be very careful in directing their fire, so as not to hurt our Infantry. The Cavalry Squadron of the Army Corps must carefully watch every movement of the right wing of the enemy to the north east of Kabe Tepe. The other most important duty of the squadron is to send patrols all around in the valleys between the position of the Artillery and village Kojadere which runs from west to south with a view to giving no chance what ever.

Five days of continuous combat has taken its toll on the men under the command of this officer. They are urged to rest in anticipation of a final push to remove the Allies from Gallipoli. The battle did take place but as with all battles that characterised the Gallipoli Campaign on both sides, attacks were made with never enough troops and artillery. Every time one side was able to strengthen the number of assets at their disposal, the other side did the same, keeping matters into a stalemate. Since the Allies were the most vulnerable, they were the force that needed to break off the engagement as their lines of communication were always under intense pressure. The Turks did not face these problems as they were fighting on home territory.

One curious mention in this note was that of the Corps Cavalry and its role. It seems to anticipate the role of the Light Horse some three weeks later as dismounted infantry.

Friday, 15 April 2005
Officers commanding in the 33^rd Infantry Regiment
Topic: Tk - Bks - 1/33IR

The Battle of Anzac Cove

Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915

Officers commanding the 33^rd Infantry Regiment

Captain Sadik Efendi was commander of 1st Company, 1^st Battalion. He was Killed in Action on Saturday 4 Ramadhaan 1333 A.H., or in Gregorian terms, 17 July 1915.

Lieutenant Colonel Ahmet Sevki Bey was the commander of 33^rd Infantry Regiment. He was Killed in Action on Thursday 14 Jumaada al-THaany 1333 A.H., or in Gregorian terms, 29 April 1915. His picture is below.

After Ahmet Sevki Bey was killed in action Lt. Col Rüstü Bey, the commander of 2^nd Battalion, was appointed the commander of the 33^rd Regiment.

Major Besim Bey was the Officer Commanding the 3^rd Battalion. He was wounded during the battle of 29 April 1915.

The diary of the anonymous officer from 1^st Battalion 33^rd Infantry Regiment raises issues about identifying the men involved in the Regiment.

Major Faik Bey was the commander of the 1^st Battalion.

Acknowledgement: Information and pictures kindly supplied by Tosun Saral.