Page 331 - Airpower in 20th Century - Doctrines and Employment

turkIsh AIr cAmpAIgns durIng the bAttles of ÇAnAkkAle mArch 1915 - JAnuAry 1916 331

3. Third Phase: Occupation of Anafarta Bay; Anafarta Battles

After the Allies attacked Chunuk Bair - Kocaçimen line and seized these areas
they advanced across Kabatepe-Maydos line and wanted to cut off Turkish Army’s
ties with İstanbul and land the other forces on Anafartalar to make this area move-
ment base. At the night of 6-7 August the landing operation started in the north of
Arıburnu and Anafartalar. 18
In order to accompany the allied power’s occupation another aircraft power joined
the second R.N.A.S Fleet. The Fleet were consisting of 4 magnificent Bristol recon-
naissance airplanes, 6 Caudrons, 6 BE 2C in addition to 6 Morane Parasols. With
these inventory the Allies managed to have an air force consisting of 48 airplanes.
On the other hand the 1st Turkish Flight Company had only 8 airplanes and they had
very poor safety due to the conditions of the region.
The basic problems which Turkish aviation units faced with were the distribu-
tion and delivery of the airplanes. They solved the problems of making bomb and
providing hand tools by establishing a warehouse in Bakırköy and using craftsmen
in İstanbul.
Some of these craftsmen were designated for making propeller and jig that were
essential. First Flight Company, backed The Fifth Army up beyond the manpower
struggle in İstanbul Battles. 19
20
Mustafa Kemal who was promoted to colonel rank on June 1, 1915 was ap-
pointed to Anafartalar Group Command on 8 / 9 August 1915.
By means of an order coming from Army Headquarters on 8 / 9 August, Colonel
Mustafa Kemal was appointed to Anafartalar Frontal Group Command. In the next
morning at sunrise, the attack would be conducted immediately. On 10 August, Mus-
tafa Kemal would conduct the most enormous and bloodiest attack of the Battles of
Çanakkale. During the command of Mustafa Kemal in Anafartalar Group
Command, first lieutenant Mehmet Zeki Doğan ( Zeki Doğan was the first com-
mander of Air Forces which was turned out to Force Command in 1944.) was aide-
decamp of Mustafa Kemal.
In his book called “Gallipoli” published in 1956, Alan Moorehead, an Australian,
wrote, “ The presence of that young and genius Turkish Chief ( M. Kemal ) at that
time is one of the most tragic stroke of fortune for the Allied” for Anafartalar Bat-
tles. 21

18
Schneide, p. 97.
19
Schneide, p. 97.
20
Mustafa Kemal who was promoted to colonel rank on June 1, 1915 was appointed to Anafartalar
Group Command on 8 / 9 August 1915.
21
Şevket Süreyya Aydemir, Tek Adam, Mustafa Kemal, İstanbul, 1979, p. 249.