Ataturk's Last Message To The Turkish Armies

Tosun Saral · Post by **Tosun Saral** » 20 May 2007 19:17

ATATÜRK'S LAST MESSAGE TO THE TURKISH ARMIES JUST 2 WEEKS BEFORE HIS DEATH:

"I address the Turkish Army whose record of victory started at the down of the history of mankind and which has carried the light of civilization in its victorious progress.

I have no doubt that just as in the most critical and difficult times you saved the country from oppressiom, tragedy and enemy invasion, so today, in the furuitful era of the Republic equipped with all the modern weapons and means of military science you will do your duty with the same faith.

I and our great nation know that you are always prepared to carry out your duty defending the honour of our country and our civilisation against danger, from inside our out."

29th October 1938
President
Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK

Mr Holmes · Post by **Mr Holmes** » 29 May 2007 02:26

Thank you for that, Mr Saral.

The mutiny of 12/13 April 1909 gave cause for the creation of the 'Operational Army' (Hareket Ordusu).

According to Atatürk, the name 'Freedom Army' was originally proposed, when the CUP drew up a declaration of its aims for the benefit of foreign ambassadors in Istanbul. But since 'the entire army was dedicated to freedom', and only a part of it was to take part in the operation, he used the term 'Operational Army'.

Mango, Atatürk, p. 87.

It is evident that Mustafa Kemal held his nation's army in the highest regard and as guarantor of freedom from earlier days.

Tosun Saral · Post by **Tosun Saral** » 29 May 2007 09:34

Dear Mr.Holmes,
If a nation not holds his army and officers in the highest regard, it means that this nation is lost. A good examble of this is the era just after the WW1 in France. The French mishandled his officers during that era. For that reason they suffered a great desaster during WW2 againts Germans.

At a party in Ankara at the fomous Ankara palace a young Lt. wanted to dance with doughter of a high personality. The girl refused to dance. Ataturk observed the scene from beginning to end. He got very angry. He went directly to the girl and said in a soft voice "Hanımefendi /Young Lady there is no women in Turkey to refuse a invitation to dance of a Turkish Officer." The girl this time danced with the officer. What happened later? They married. Ataturk was their bestman. The picture that we see in this forum Ataturk with a bride is that lady.

Mr Holmes · Post by **Mr Holmes** » 30 May 2007 13:20

Tosun Saral wrote:The picture that we see in this forum Ataturk with a bride is that lady.

Thank you for the anecdote! (Oh, and I know how the young officer must have felt...

)