Request for help re OOB of Turkish Divisions @ Gallipoli

[territoriale]

I am currently trying to complete a listing of infantry regiments in the 20 Turkish Divisions involved in the Gallipoli campaign. Having read through the Australian & British Official Histories, and the previous posts on this forum, I still have some gaps.

I have been impressed by the responses on this Forum to other queries about the Turkish Army and would be grateful for information on which infantry regiments formed the following divisions in 1915 -1916: -

Ist, 6th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 24th and 26th.

My thanks,

[Tosun Saral]

Please read my postings in this forum. They might give you some information. I begin with 6th Inf. Division at Gallipoli
Commander Miralay(Col.) Süleyman Şakir Bey (Family name : Orbay)(You can find a photo of him in this forum)
Chief Staff : Kaymakam (Lt. Col.) Salahaddin , later Binbaşı (Major) Hayri (Major Gen. Tarhan)
5th Cavalry Company Commander: Yüzbaşı (Capt.)Nezir
6th Schneider Artillart R.: Binbaşı (Major) Arif later Maj. Ali Kemal
3rd Pioneers Company: Yüzbaşı (Capt.) İbrahim Halil
signal team: Mülazım (Lt.) Mustafa
Chief Medical Officer: Dr. Hacı Bahaeddin
- 16th Regiment (with 3 Battalions): Kaymakam (Lt. Col.)Hakkı
-17th R.: " " : :Lt. Col. Hasan ( KIA July 11 1915) Binbaşı (Major) Hüseyin, (KIA July 12 1915
-18th R. " " : Kaymakam (Lt. Col.) Abdülkadir Bey
-Composed R.: Binbaşı (Major) Yusuf Ziya
source:Miralay(Col.) Süleyman Şakir (Orbay) "Cepheden Hatıralar, 6 ncı Fırka Canakkale Harbinde" (Memories from the front, 6th Division at Gallipoli Battles)

[Tosun Saral]

1 st Div.: on the fights at Zigındere in July 28- July 3 1915
commander:Lt. Col. Cafer Tayyar (Maj. Gen. Eğilmez)
Chief of staff: Capt.İbrahim Rahmi (Gemlikli)
-70th R.: Lt. Col. Vasıf
- - 3rd Battalion: Major Reşat (Col. Ciğiltepe KIA in 1922 in War of Independance)
-71 st R..: (?)
- 17th composed R.:Lt. Col. Hasan, later Col. Halil
1st Div. left the area for another battle field on Jan. 2nd 1916

source: İsmet Görgülü (Tank Staff Col. Asst. Prof. Dr.) "On Yıllık Harbin Kadrosu-1912-22"(Personal of the 10 years long War)

[Tosun Saral]

13th Div. came to Galliboli Battle field on July 21st 1915
Commander: German Col. Hovik, later on Sep.12 1915 Lt. Col. Selahattin Adil (Maj. Gen. Adil) (plese search in this forum about him.)
Chief of Staff: Capt. Naci (Lt. Gen. Tınaz) later capt. Celal
- 4rd R.: Lt. Col. Kazım (Sevüktekin)
-46th R.:Lt. Col. Cemaleddin,
-60th:Maj. Zekeriya
13th Artillry R.:Maj. Necip
The 13th left the area on Oct. 21 1915.

[drewsart]

Hi there

i hope this is of interest and help to you. i have been reseraching this for some time and while i have been able to piece together the following details from my notes.

13th Division, V Corps ,
4th Regiment, 1/4th Bn, 2/4th Bn, 3/4th Bn, 4/4th Bn, 4th Regt MG Coy
46th Regiment, 1/46th Bn, 2/46th Bn, 3/46th Bn, 4/46th Bn,
60th Regiment, 1/60th Bn, 2/60th Bn, 3/60th Bn, 4/60th Bn,

13th Division Artillery,
1/13th Field Artillery batty – (4 x 77mm QF)
2/13th Field Artillery batty – (4 x 77mm QF)
3/13th Field Artillery batty (4 x 77mm QF)
4/13th Field Artillery batty (4 x 77mm QF)
1M/13th Mountain Artillery batty (6 x 75mm mountain Howitzers)
2M/13th Mountain Artillery batty (6 x 75mm mountain Howitzers)

13th Division, Divisional Assets,
13th Division Engineer Coy
13th Division Field Hospital
1st Sqn 11th Cavalry Regiment

15th Division, V Corps ,
38th Regiment, 1/38th Bn, 2/38th Bn, 3/38th Bn, 4/38th Bn, 38th Regt MG Coy
45th Regiment, 1/45th Bn, 2/45th Bn, 3/45th Bn, 4/45th Bn, 45th Regt MG Coy
56th Regiment, 1/56th Bn, 2/56th Bn, 3/56th Bn, 4/56th Bn,

15th Division Artillery,
1/15th Field Artillery batty – (4 x 77mm QF)
2/15th Field Artillery batty – (4 x 77mm QF)
3/15th Field Artillery batty (4 x 77mm QF)
4/15th Field Artillery batty (4 x 77mm QF)
1/15thM - Mountain Artillery batty (6 x old 75mm mountain Howitzers not QF)
2/15thM - Mountain Artillery batty (6 x old 75mm mountain Howitzers not QF)

15th Division, Divisional Assets,
15th Division Engineer Coy
15th Division Field Hospital
15th Division Signal Section
6th Sqn 11th Cavalry Regiment

26th Division, VI Corps ,
59th Regiment, 1/59th Bn, 2/59th Bn, 3/59th Bn, 4/59th Bn,
76th Regiment, 1/76th Bn, 2/76th Bn, 3/76th Bn, 4/76th Bn, 48th Regt MG Coy
78th Regiment, 1/78th Bn, 2/78th Bn, 3/78th Bn, 4/78th Bn, 78th, Regt MG Coy

26th Division Artillery,
1/26th Field Artillery batty – (4 x 77mm QF)
2/26th Field Artillery batty – (4 x 77mm QF)
1M/26th Mountain Artillery batty (6 x old 75mm mountain Howitzers not QF)
2M/26th Mountain Artillery batty (6 x old 75mm mountain Howitzers not QF)

26th Division, Divisional Assets,
26th Division Engineer Coy
26th Division Field Hospital
26th Division Signal Section
3rd Sqn 27th Cavalry Regiment

6th Division, II Corps,
16th Regiment, 1/16th Bn, 2/16th Bn, 3/16th Bn, 4/16th Bn, 16th Regt MG Coy
17th Regiment, 1/17th Bn, 2/17th Bn, 3/17th Bn, 4/17th Bn, 17th Regt MG Coy
18th Regiment, 1/18th Bn, 2/18th Bn, 3/18th Bn, 4/18th Bn, 18th Regt MG Coy

6th Division Artillery,
1/6th Field Artillery batty – (4 x 77mm QF)
2/6th Field Artillery batty – (4 x 77mm QF)
3/6th Field Artillery batty (4 x 77mm QF)
4/6th Field Artillery batty (4 x 77mm QF)
1M/6th Mountain Artillery batty (6 x 75mm mountain Howitzers)
2M/6th Mountain Artillery batty (6 x 75mm mountain Howitzers)

6th Division, Divisional Assets,
6th Division Engineer Coy
6th Division Signal Section
6th Division Field Hospital
5th Sqn 3rd Cavalry Regiment

14th Division, V Corps,
41st Regiment, 1/41st Bn, 2/41st Bn, 3/41st Bn, 4/41st Bn, 41st Regt MG Coy
42nd Regiment, 1/42nd Bn, 2/42nd Bn, 3/42nd Bn, 4/42nd Bn,
55th Regiment, 1/55th Bn, 2/55th Bn, 3/55th Bn, 4/55th Bn, 55th Regt MG Coy

14th Division Artillery,
1/14th Field Artillery batty – (4 x 75mm not QF)
2/14th Field Artillery batty – (4 x 75mm not QF)
3/14th Field Artillery batty (4 x 75mm not QF)
4/14th Field Artillery batty (4 x 75mm not QF)
1M/14th Mountain Artillery batty (6 x old 75mm mountain Howitzers not QF)
2M/14th Mountain Artillery batty (6 x old 75mm mountain Howitzers not QF)

14th Division, Divisional Assets,
14th Division Engineer Coy
14th Division Signal Section
14th Division Field Hospital

24th Division, VI Corps,
2nd Regiment, 1/2nd Bn, 2/2nd Bn, 3/2nd Bn, 4/2nd Bn, 2nd Regt MG Coy
58th Regiment, 1/58th Bn, 2/58th Bn, 3/58th Bn, 4/58th Bn,
143rd Regiment, 1/143rd Bn, 2/143rd Bn, 3/143rd Bn, 4/143rd Bn,

24th Division Artillery,
1/24th Field Artillery batty – (4 x 75mm not QF)
2/24th Field Artillery batty – (4 x 75mm not QF)
3/24th Field Artillery batty (4 x 75mm not QF)
4/24th Field Artillery batty (4 x 75mm not QF)
1M/24th Mountain Artillery batty (6 x old 75mm mountain Howitzers not QF)
2M/24th Mountain Artillery batty (6 x old 75mm mountain Howitzers not QF)

24th Division, Divisional Assets,
24th Division Engineer Coy
24th Division Signal Section
24th Division Field Hospital
2nd Sqn 27th Cavalry Regiment

1st Division, I Corps,
70th Regiment, 1/70th Bn, 2/70th Bn, 3/70th Bn, 70th Regt MG Coy
71st Regiment, 1/71st Bn, 2/71st Bn, 3/71st Bn, 71st Regt MG Coy
124th Regiment, 1/124th Bn, 2/124th Bn, 3/124th Bn,

1st Division Artillery,
1/1st Field Artillery batty – (4 x 77mm QF)
2/1st Field Artillery batty – (4 x 77mm QF)
3/1st Field Artillery batty (4 x 77mm QF)
4/1st Field Artillery batty (4 x 77mm QF)
1M/1st Mountain Artillery batty (6 x 75mm mountain Howitzers)
2M/1st Mountain Artillery batty (6 x 75mm mountain Howitzers)

1st Division, Divisional Assets,
1st Division Engineer Coy
1st Division Signal Section
1st Division Field Hospital
1st Sqn 5th Cavalry Regiment

Regards Andrew

[drewsart]

sorry forgot to add the sources of these units

Von Sanders L, Five years in Turkey, Annapolis, 1927.

Murphy C.C.R. Lt- Colonel, Soldiers of the Prophet, Woolwich, 1921

Kitaberi D, Gallipoli 1915 Bloody Ridge (Lone Pine), Diary of Lt Mehmed Fasil 5th Imperial Ottoman Army 1915, Istanbul, 1997.

Fewster K, Basarin V, Basarin H.H, Gallipoli the Turkish story, Crows nest, 1985.

Erickson E.J. Order to Die, A history of the Ottoman Army in the first world war, London, 2001.

Regards Andrew

[territoriale]

Tosun and Andrew,

Many thanks for your comprehensive replies to my query.

I see that the Divisions I asked about did not all have consecutively numbered regiments, for example, the 1st Division did not have the 1st - 3rd Regiments.

Can you tell me please which Division had the 3rd Infantry Regiment; what were the other regiments in that Division and also how it came to be in Mesopotamia in 1916/1917?


Thanks,
Martin

[jwsleser]

Martin

The 3rd Regiment was originally part of the 24th Division. In the summer of 1915, several new divisions were raised. It was Ottoman policy that all new formations have a portion of veteran units. The 45th was created with the 3rd, 141st, and 142nd Regiments to reinforce Irak as part of the 6th Army. The 143rd Regiment replaced the 3rd Regiment in the 24th Division. So the 3rd was part of the 45th Division in Irak in 1916-1917 until the division was disbanded..

Jeff

[territoriale]

Jeff,

Thanks for the information, it explains why certain regiments appear in other theatres in later years.

Do you know how many other new divisions swopped one of their regiments for an older one; was this a universal practice?

My thanks in advance,

Martin james

[jwsleser]

Martin

Placing a veteran unit in a new formation was done for all echelons of newly created units. This practice was adopted after the failure of the reserve units during the Balkan Wars. This is the main reason why constructing a Ottoman OB can be a challenge. Because the Ottomans frequently task organized for combat (with generally excellent results), Ottoman units often were intermixed. Mufrezesi (ad hoc) units were formed based on mission requirements and always contain core of veterans. While many of these units would be disbanded when no longer needed, some did become regular divisions keeping their veterans units. When this happened, new regiments were raised to replace the veteran unit in the parent division. New formations created in the same manner.

Jeff

[Tosun Saral]

A short story of 14th Div. (source same book: İsmet Görgülü)

The 14th Div. came to Gallipoli battle area on July 21rd 1915 just after 2nd Kerevizdere battle.(July 12/13) with 8th, 10th and 13th and replaced by worned and tired divisions (ecl.1st Div.) Commander of the Div. was.Lt. Col. Kazim (Lt. Gen. Karabekir the fomous General who supported Mustafa Kemal Pasha in his first days of national Movement.Gen. Karabekir defeted the Armenians and Georgians in 1920's and let Mustafa Kemal and his army to sucsess againts invading Grecee. He was also a Turkish Free Mason)
Chieef of Staff: Capt. Saffet ( Statesman Arıkan)
14th Div. served under the command of 5th AC which was commanded by Brigadier Mustaf Fevzi Pasha (Field Marchall Çakmak. Look at axix)
14th Div. left the area Jan 11st 1916 to East front againts Russians.

14th arrived to the front on August 12nd and fought under 3rd AC at the battles around Murat river on July-Sept. 1916. Ali Fuad Pasha (Lt. Gen. Cebesoy Look at axis) was commander. On oct. 29.1916. German Lt. Col. von Schraudenbach was made commander.
Chief of Staff: Maj. İsmail Hakkı
14th was forwarded to Irak to the order of 6th Army on Dec. 1916.
von Schraudenbach resigned after a quarrel with Col. Cafer Tayyar (Major Gen. Eğilmez) commander of 18th AC onApril 24th 1917. Lt. Col Nazmi (Lt. Gen. Solok) was made commander.
During the fights 1st & 2nd Remadiye on July-Dec. 1917 Lt. Col. İsmail Hakkı (Valideçeşmeli) commanded the Div.

14th with
7th R.: Lt. Col. İrfan, 9th R.:Lt. Col. Emin, 43th R.Lt. Col. Rifat
was taken POW during the fights at Tigris (Dicle) on Oct. 28/30th 1917.

ABOUT 3rd R.
Only on p. 172 Görgülü mentions about 3rd R. in his book:
The Fırat (Euphrates) Group which was commanded by Lt. Col. Şükrü Naili (Gen. Gökberk) was dismised on March 9th 1917 because he left Hit without orders. The gruop was under the danger of getting into a Kessel. The commander of 3rd R.from the 14th Div. Lt. Col. Nazmi was made commander . On March 26th the Fırat Group was all taken POW. (Han Bagdadi Battles 26th March)

[Tosun Saral]

A short story of 24th Div.

24th Div. which was at the order of 6th AC came to Gallipoli Battle Field just after the withdraval of British on jan. 1916 and stationed on the Asian part of Turkey. Commander was Col. Ali Remzi, 24th was forwarded to Syrian Front after a while with 42th Div. Chief of Staff: Capt.İbrahim.
24t at Syrian Front at the order of Yıldırım Army Group commanded by German Falkenhayn which was established on July 15t 1917
commander:German Lt. Col. Wilmer
24th was giiven to the order of 4th Army on Sept. 1917.

Short story of 26th Div.
26th Div. which was at the order of 6th AC came Gallipoli Battle Field just after the withdraval of British on jan. 1916 and stationed on Anafartalar.
Commander:Lt. Col. Esat
Chief of Staff: Maj. Abdurrahman Nafiz (Gen. of the Army Gürman)

6th AC and 25th and 26th Div. was transferred to Romanian Front on Jult 1916.


Görgülü p.100

[territoriale]

Tosun,

Many thanks for your mini-histories for the Divisions I asked about.

I see from the history of the 14th Division that when it fought in Iraq later, it had changed its regiments completely from 41st/42nd/55th to the 7th/9th/43rd!

Can you (or anyone else) tell me what caused the change; where the old regiments went to and where the new ones came from (I know that the 7th and 9th were in the Caucasus before then)?

My continued thanks,

Martin James

[drewsart]

Dear Martin Tosun and others,

The information within these forum subjects concerning the Turkish involvement in WW1 never ceases to fascinate me.

My own expertise is limited to Gallipoli, which comes from a fascination that arises from family involvement in that campaign, a love of side theatre actions in world war one and a long history of being a wargamer.

The additional information and now mini unit histories just provides such a rich picture of the conflict

Best regard for the New Year and again thanks for the sharing of information
Andrew