Sarkoy amphibious landing 1913

[Peter H]

Seeking details on the failed landing at Sarkoy,Sea of Marmara in 1913.

The 20,000 man X Corps landing against the Bulgarians highlighted the problems of conducting amphibious warfare in the first part of the 20th Century?

[Tosun Saral]

Feb. 8/10 1913
Order of battle:

The commander of Çanakkale Boğazı Kuva-i Mürettebe (Composed Forces of Çanakkale Strait) or the other name called by Turks:"Bahrisefid Boğazı Kuva-i Mürettebe)(Composed Forces of Mediterranean Strait)
Bahrisefid= Mediterranean: Brigadirt Fahri Pasha
Chief of Staff: Maj. Ali Fethi ( Stateman, Ambassador, Prime Minister of Atatürk Okyar)
Chief operations officer: Maj. Mustafa Kemal (Atatürk)
staff officer: Maj. Nuri (Col. Conker, Statesman and MP)
Redif/Reservist Div. of Trabzon: (got the name later Composed Regular Divizion= Mürettep Nizamiye Tümeni):Col. Ahmet Necip
- Redif/Reservist Reg. of Mersi:Maj. Abdürrezzak
Chief of Staff: Maj. Rüştü

27th Div.:Brigadir Mustafa Pasha
Chief of Staff: Capt. Ali Rıza
- 73th Inf. Reg.:Col.Zeki
-80th Inf. Reg.:Col. Ahmet Şevki

Redif Div. of Afyonkarahisar(Afionkarrahissar): Col. Şükrü

Redif Div. of Edremit: Col. İhsan (Brigadier Sökmen)
C.o.S.: Maj. Refik

Division of Çanakkale:Brigadier Tevfik Pasha
C.o. S.: Capt.Hüsnü

Detachment of Menderes(Meandros). Col. Rami

Composed Defence Regiment: ?

Composed 10th AC: Maj. Gen. Hurşit Pasha
C.o. S.: Lt. Col. Ali Enver (Enver Pasha)
Chief operations officer:Maj. Ali İhsan (Maj. Gen. Sabis)
Staff officer :Maj. Tevfik (Col. Bıyıklıoğlu, Statesman, Ambassador, Military historian)
Chief Medical Officer: Dr.Maj.İbrahim Tali (Öngören)(Statesman and Minister)
The divison was at East Turkey in Erzurum. Got orders to reach to Balkan War. The divison came by means of rail and naval ways to Istanbul. The divison reached to the region just before the beginning of 2nd Çatalca Battle.

31st Div: Brigadier Ali Rıza Pasha
C.o S.:Maj. Tahir
91th Reg: Esat

32th Div: Brigadier Neş'et Pasha
C.o S.:Maj. Adil

Redif Div. of Harput: Col. Nuri
C.o S:Maj. Sedat
staff officer: Capt. Süleyman Askeri ( Killed at Irag front during WW1)

Detachment of Volunteers: Maj. Halil (Lt. Gen. Kut, Victor of the battle Kut el Amare)
4th Urban Cav. Div.:Brigadier Suphi Pasha

source: İsmet Görgülü: "On Yıllık Harbin Kadrosu" (Personal of the Ten Years Old War 1912-22) p.31

[Tosun Saral]

As the fight at Çatalca was continuing between Turkish and Bulgarian Armies Fort of Edirne was also defending itself againts Bulgarian and Serbian forces. Turkish HQ understood that it was not possible to hold Edirne anymore and decided to assaoult againts a Bulgarian Division (7th Div.) which was stationed at Bolayır on Gallipoli Peninsula to prevent Edirne falling into enemy hands. Turkish HQ couldnt take into consideration to attack Bulgarian forces at Çatalca Front because of their weakness. According to plan the Xth AC will land on Şarköy on the Marmara Sea and will attack to the back of Bulgarians at Ekzamil (Ortaköy). The AC of Fahri Pasha at Bolayir would attack the enemy's Front.On the morning of Feb. 8th the AC of Fahri Pasha began assoult. They entered the enemy trenches. But unfortunately a Bulgarian Regiment defented its positions and made our forces demoralized. They reteated to Bolayır in great panic. On the other hand the Xth AC could only landed 4 battalions to the shore because of the bad weather and very raugh sea. The AC could able to land half its forces to the shore till the morning of 9th Fab. As the news come to HQ of the Xth that the fahri Pasha AC reteated in panic to Bolayır it was ordered the landed units to return their ships.
There have been no more operations in that region until the great operation which took Edirne into Turkish hand again.

The Trabzon Div, 27th Div., Composed Defence Reg and the HQ's of Fahri Pasha took part into Bolayır assault.
source: İsmet Görgülü: "On Yıllık Harbin Kadrosu" (Personal of the Ten Years Old War 1912-22) p.31

May all rest in peace!
So mote it be!

[Peter H]

Thanks Tosun.

Regards
Peter

[jwsleser]

Attached is the OB chart from the Turkish OH volume covering the 10th Corps during the Sarkoy operation. Note that not all of these forces were landed. The initial landing was to consist of the 31st and 32nd Divisions, the 30th Artillery Regiment, the 5th Cavalry Regiment and various supporting units. The two battalions of the 30th Artillery were split, one battalion to each division.

Jeff

[Peter H]

Thanks.

Map from Erickson's Defeat in Detail,page 266.

Navy support consisted of the battleship Barbaros Hayreddin,the battleship Turgut Reis,the cruiser Mecidye,the torpedo cruiser Berk I Satvet.

[jwsleser]

Peter

That is map 8.3 from page 269. Attached below is the original map that is the basis for Erickson's map. The 93rd Regiment at this time consisted of the 1st and 3rd Battalions/93rd and the 2nd Battalion/14th Regiment.

Jeff

[Peter H]

Thanks Jeff

A great help!

Regards
Peter