The tragic Battle of Sarıkamış in December 1914 just
preceded Fuat Bey's arrival at the Caucasus Front.
Newspaper clipping is from the New York Times of the
era. The number of Turkish deaths is generally assessed
to have been as many as 90,000.
16 March 1915
Today I got the procedural documents. The restaurant owner Enver took
them (and they were sent to the transport branch via him.) He dealt with
the lieutenant colonel in particular on my behalf. Sabri also went to his
detachment, the 10th Army Corps.
17-20 March 1915 (no entries)
21 March 1915
The procedural documents went from the transport branch to the central
headquarters and from there they were sent to the fortifications command
(for the lieutenant colonel there) but nothing could be done. I’ll be going
to the 28th Division upon the order of the Army Corps. In the event that
happens, I have been recommended to the commander of the 84th
Regiment, Major Abdullah of Harput.
22 March 1915
I wrote a telegram to my father telling him that my detachment has
changed. I went to headquarters to have it certified. Just then, the
official there nabbed me and I was nearly shipped out. Fortunately, I
tricked the woman. I saw Şerif and we headed out from there.
Torment, distress. Now I’m hopeless. Anyway, I sent the telegram.
I wasn’t able to get leave from Dispatch Commander İbrahim. A real
calamity. Now it was evening and I was feeling hopeless. As the
door was closing a woman came and kicked me out but I was saved.
I had dinner at a restaurant and came home. Tahsin Nazım came as
well. I explained the incident to him and he consoled me. I was very
upset. Today will be difficult for me to forget.
23 March 1915 (no entry)
24 March 1915
I got two letters from Şerif. I stayed in Erzurum and got ready. I
continually wrote letters and I sent a secret one to my father in which
I explained the situation completely.
Departure at the Kars Gate
25 March 1915
In the morning I went to headquarters and from there to dispatch. I
said farewell to Tahsin. The house servant came with me up until I
went out through the Kars Gate. Around noon we departed Erzurum
and reached Korucuk in the evening. We stayed in a shabby room with
the Gendarmerie. I got the documents there and examined them
carefully. The problem once again is the result of the Court Martial
at the Second Central Command, from the War Academy. The
procedural date concerning me is 3 January (21 December) 331-915
(Rumi 330). Very unjust, excuses…I cursed it with hatred as I read it.
Damn such things!
26 March 1915
We departed Korucuk and came to Hasankale. I had the documents
with me. As soon as we stopped I started to walk by myself and by
evening we reached Badicivan where the 84th Regiment was. I had
a cape and a greatcoat, as well as a bread sack, underwear and a shirt.
I gave one of the letters Şerif had given me to Major Abdullah (I had
given the other one to a lieutenant colonel in Hasankale). As a guest,
I went to a stable where the regimental clerical office was.
27 March 1915
No response came about my documents, which we sent to the 28th
Division last evening. I spent today in Badicivan waiting.
28 March 1915
In the morning, based on an order from the division, I went to the
division headquarters at Okumi by way of Mıyadin (83rd Regiment). I
waited until evening. Captain Fahri of the General Staff put me through
a long, cruel process. A thousand curses! In any event, in the evening I
returned to Badicivan with a cavalryman and settled in with my
assignment in the 84th Regiment. My heart lightened a bit. I wrote a
letter to my father right away.
Badicivan village (today's Esendere) is located just
northwest of Hasankale (today's Pasinler), east of Erzurum.
Sarıkamış is at upper right in today's Kars province.
29 March-4 April 1915 (no entries)
5 April 1915
I’m staying in Badicivan this whole time. My soul is aching, I’m all
alone. I’m consoling myself with my morale. The regimental aide-de
-camp, Second Lieutenant Salih, came. He has a mustache and he’s 1
328 (class of 1912). I’m passing time by myself. Corporal Arif, Cavalry
Corporal Bekir, Sergeant Memduh and the notorious Cevat of Trablus
are said to be here. I went to find them but I didn’t.
6 April 1915
The order to advance has been given but rescinded. Things are calm
again. During the night and before I awoke toward morning I had a
terrible dream. It was like my brother was at the window crying. My
father and mother were grieved, very sad. They’re saying they told me
not to go to the Caucasus. They’re crying, feeling sorry for me…right
away I sent them a telegram with my address and told them not to
worry. I sent it to Hasankale thanks to Major Abdullah.
7-22 April 1915 (no entries)
23 April 1915
I remain in Badicivan, with the documents. I spoke with Doctor Ibrahim
of the 3rd Battalion and gave him Şerif’s letter. I made a formal statement
that I was sick and tried to get transferred but to no avail. One of the
infirmary doctors felt sorry for me and he gave me some advice along
with medicine. He was a considerate person but I forgot his name.
Aggravation. Once again I wrote letters to my father and friends.
24 April 1915
I wrote a long petition about the reinstatement of my rights and sent
it to the division.
25 April-5 May 1915 (no entries)
6 May 1915
Still in Badicivan. Through the division secretary, Ahmet, I found out
the petition number. I wrote to Istanbul. But I couldn’t find out the Army
Corps number. I know the 3rd Battalion Aide-de-Camp, Ethem, here. He’s
my classmate. The 1st Battalion Aide-de-Camp, Şerif, was angry because
my chest was exposed. I don’t get along with Şerif. He’s quite cruel.
While we’ve been here the Machine Gun Company of the Bagdad
Division has come to our regiment. We were chatting with one of its
sergeants, who was probably a casualty. There’s no one else to talk to.
I’m always alone. Sometimes I amuse myself by making
maps. I’m consoling myself with strength. Since I left Istanbul I haven’t
gotten a letter from home.
A Turkish machine gun crew on the Caucasus Front.
//END OF PART V//
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