Ottoman Navy in Palestine

[Jochen Kruesmann]

Hello all,

I look for the rank and names of Ottoman Naval Officers attached to the Ottoman Armies in Palestine during 1914-1918. I saw a photo of a Ottoman Naval Officer in white naval uniform attached to the command of the 4th Ottoman Army.

Any help is very welcomed!

Jochen

[Tosun Saral]

You have No picture attached.
On the other hand Ahmet Cemal Pasha commander of 4th army was also Naval Minister of the empire. Naval officer Abdurrahman Bey was his aide-de-camps

[Tosun Saral]

Ahmet Cemal Pasha with his staff and 2 naval aide-de-camps

[Tosun Saral]

Ahmet Cemal Pasha and his aide-de-camps on the way to Palastine on a boat crossing Bosphorus.

[Jochen Kruesmann]

Thank you very much Mr. Saral,
I saw this particular photo in one of my books and will search for and let you know!

[Peter H]

This Bundesarchiv photo as well.

[Jochen Kruesmann]

Great Peter!

Is there a possibility to find the names and ranks of those two naval officers shown?

[Peter H]

The one on the left looks like Abdurrahman Bey.

[Tosun Saral]

General of the Army Ali Fuad Erden (Staff. Lt. Col. Ali Fuad Bey CoS of 4th Army) writes in his book "Birinci Dünya Savaşında Suriye Hatıraları" ( Syrian Memories During WW1" p.209
"Die region Lebenon was covering ports and landingsbridges of Trablusşam (Tripoli),Cünye and Beirut and a large naval front from north to south. Cemal Pasha appoinded a naval major called Muhiddin Bey who come with him from İstanbul to the front, to the assistant commander of 43th Infantry Division. This appointment was wrong. he might be an naval adviser or a staff officer at the naval buro of the division. A naval officer could not be an assistnd commander to a infantry division. Soon some quarrels begun between the CoS of the division and Muhiddin Bey. I protested and explained my objection. But it was refused"

[Jochen Kruesmann]

Dear Mr. Saral,

Thanks for the welcomed informations. To my informations the 43th Infantry Divison was located during this time off Beirut and had the task to fullfill coastal observations against the Allies. It was some distance away from the Dead Sea region. Do you know if Muhiddin Bey was also placed by Cemal Pasa in charge as a commander of the Dead Sea Flottilla during these times ?

[Tosun Saral]

Dear Mr. Saral,

Thanks for the welcomed informations. To my informations the 43th Infantry Divison was located during this time off Beirut and had the task to fullfill coastal observations against the Allies. It was some distance away from the Dead Sea region. Do you know if Muhiddin Bey was also placed by Cemal Pasa in charge as a commander of the Dead Sea Flottilla during these times ?

Dear Kruesmann, It is a very hard question. Hard to find out. If we have luck I can reach a source. On the other hand the Book Birinci Dünya Harbinde Türk Harbi IV cilt, 1 nci Kısım Sina Filistin Cephesi Harbin Başlangıçından İkinci Gazze Muharebeleri Sonuna Kadar, Ankara 1979 (Turkish War During WW1 Vol.IV, 1st Part From the beginning of war till to the end of 2nd Gazze battles) page:411 says that the 43th Inf Div was stationed at Aliye to defend Cebel-i lübnan (Lebenon Moluntains) The 43 was a div of 8th AC. The other div. was 27th Inf. 27th was around Nasıra. Thus 8th AC was ordered to defend the the interior of region between Süveydiye (excluding) and Yafa (excluing) coastal line.

Aliye is near Beirut and far away from Teberiye and Lud seas.

On the other hand on page.42:
"During WW1 a few tucs and boats were produced at works around Dead Sea ( Lut Gölü) to sail at the northern part of the Sea and between Eriha and Kerek. Cüdeyde was landungsbrücke (pier) of Eriha and Mezrea was Kerek's."

The book mentions no flotella but a few tucs.

[Tosun Saral]

One of the boats which the book Birinci Dünya..... mentioned.
Motor boat in transport to the Dead Sea. We can see 2 a naval officer but German and Turkish officers

[Jochen Kruesmann]

Dear Mr. Saral,

Again many thanks for your help. About the photo of the motorboat: Do you hvae any idea at which city this was taken ?

[Tosun Saral]

Sorry no idea. But I can read from the tabelle on the top of the picture only the first words .Unfortunately the photografer didnt shot all the writing. I can read "Kudüs" (Jerusalem)

I think that the boat was produced at works in Jarusalem and carried to Dead Sea by mule transport. You can see the mules on the photo.
At least this is a step to solve the unknown. cheers. Hurrah!

[Jochen Kruesmann]

Great Mr. Saral ! Thanks for the identification of the city ! Best regards !