One of the most tragic chapters in history was written in Sarıkamış during the cold days of December 1914. The Ottoman Empire lost approximately 90,000 of its sons, not to bullets but to freezing temperatures, during its campaign against the Russians on the Caucasus Front of World War I. One of the most important reasons for this disaster was that our soldiers were sent to the front without adequate equipment, winter clothing, supplies, or logistical support.
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
