It Wasn’t War That Killed Them, It Was the Cold

The aim of the Sarıkamış Operation was to surround the Russian army and liberate Eastern Anatolia from occupation. However, this strategic plan was prepared without taking into account the severity of winter conditions and the harsh geography. Most of our soldiers were forced to cross the Allahuekber Mountains, covered in meters of snow, wearing summer uniforms and thin boots. With temperatures dropping to -30 degrees Celsius, this region became a death trap for unprepared soldiers. Combined with a lack of equipment, communication breakdowns, and misdirected shipments, losses were inevitable.

If There Had Been Sufficient Equipment and Supplies…

If our soldiers had had sufficient equipment and supplies, such heavy losses might have been avoided. If logistical support had been properly provided under the conditions of the day and the needs of the front had been met in a timely manner, the course of the operation could have changed, resulting in victory, and the majority of casualties could have been prevented. This situation shows us once again that wars are won not only with soldiers, but also with planning, logistics, and technology.

The Price of Negligence: 90,000 Lives

What happened in Sarıkamış is proof not only of a war strategy, but also of what negligence, lack of communication, and lack of equipment can cost. Our brave soldiers, who gave their lives for their country, were not killed by bullets, but died as martyrs fighting hunger and cold. This reality not only breaks our hearts, but also stands as a cautionary note in our history.

Conclusion: Remembering and Learning

Our Sarıkamış martyrs left us a legacy not only of their heroism but also of the tragedy they experienced. Keeping their memory alive is possible not only by remembering them but also by learning lessons to prevent such suffering from happening again. The point the Turkish Armed Forces has reached today in terms of equipment and logistics is a result of not forgetting those past sufferings.

Let us not forget: If our soldiers had been equipped with the necessary gear and equipment according to the conditions of that day, the Allahuekber Mountains could have been the name of victory, not a mass grave. The manufacturers of that equipment and gear could have been the unsung heroes of that victory.

The state our country has reached today in terms of equipment and supplies is undoubtedly thanks to the will that learned from the past and the secret heroes who worked and produced day and night with love for their homeland.

May their souls be blessed, and may their resting places be paradise.

IGEF Board of Directors

We would like to thank you for your sincere attitude, warm hospitality, and valuable insights into your industry during our visit to the İGEF’26 International Internal Security Equipment Fair.

Your contributions to the domestic and national strength of our defense industry are of great importance for the development of your sector and our country.

We would like to thank you once again for your visionary approach, your contributions to the defense sector, and your gracious hospitality.

We extend our best regards.

The Board of Directors of İGEF

We are honored by your visit to our office. Your sincere, heartfelt, and valuable conversation both inspired us and added a friendly energy. We greatly appreciated the opportunity to benefit from your insights.
With the hope that our bond of friendship will continue to grow stronger, we extend our most sincere thanks and respect for your kind visit.

IGEF Board of Directors

We would like to thank you for your sincere attitude, warm hospitality, and valuable insights into your industry during our visit as part of the İGEF’26 International Internal Security Equipment Fair.

Your contributions to the domestic and national strength of our defense industry are of great importance for the development of our sector and our country. Your support and contributions to young entrepreneurs are also extremely valuable for our future. Walking this path with you undoubtedly creates great value for our country.

We would like to thank you once again for your visionary approach, your contributions to the defense sector, your support for young entrepreneurs, and your gracious hospitality,
and we extend our love and respect to you.

IGEF Board of Directors

We were delighted by your visit to our office. Your sincere, heartfelt, and valuable conversation both inspired us and added a friendly energy.
We greatly appreciated the opportunity to benefit from your insights.

With the hope that our bond of friendship will continue to grow stronger, we extend our most sincere thanks for the value you bring to our country and for your kind visit.

IGEF Board of Directors

We were delighted by your visit to our office. Your sincere, heartfelt, and valuable conversation both inspired us and brought a friendly energy to our team. We greatly appreciated the opportunity to benefit from your insights.
We hope our bond of friendship continues to grow stronger. We thank you for your kind visit and extend our warmest regards and respect.

IGEF Board of Directors

We would like to thank you for your warm hospitality and valuable insights into our industry during our visit to the İGEF’26 International Internal Security Equipment Fair.

Your contributions to the defense industry are extremely valuable to our sector.

We thank you once again for your kind hospitality and
send our regards.

İGEF Board of Directors

We would like to thank you for your warm hospitality during our visit to the IGEF’26 International Internal Security Equipment Fair and for sharing your valuable insights and extensive knowledge in the field of defense industry.

Your contributions to the domestic and national strength of our defense industry are of great importance for the development of our sector.
The visionary approach you have demonstrated and the values you have added to our country and the defense sector are highly valuable.

Furthermore, we remember with gratitude and respect all our teachers who have passed away, especially our Great Teacher, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. We sincerely wish you a happy Teachers’ Day.
We thank you once again for your kind hospitality.
With our best regards.

IGEF Board of Directors

Best regards,

IGEF Board of Directors

honored us with a visit to our office during the IGEF Internal Security Equipment Fair.
We were greatly pleased that he shared with us the wealth of knowledge and experience he gained during his tenure as a Member and Chairman of the Board of Directors at ASELSAN, along with his distinguished field experience in the Turkish Armed Forces.

I would also like to personally express my honor at having served as Special Secretary to the Board of Directors during his tenure as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

We would like to thank our Commander once again for his kind approach, valuable assessments, and contributions to our sector,
and we offer our respects.

İGEF Board of Directors