THE KOREAN WARS OLD SOLD1ERS NEVER DlE! ... 1950 - 1953

This photograph was taken during Gen. McArt­ hur, Commander in Chief, U.N. Forces in Korea has paid a short visit to the I'st Turkish Brigade in good old days. Left to riget: Gen. McArthur, Gen. Ridge­ way, Capt H. Hocaoglu the interpretor and Turkish Brigadier Tahsin Y AZICI

WE ALWAYS REMEMBER THiS OLD SOLDIER WITH THE BEST REGARDS. The present booklet has been dedicated to the sacred souls and the memories of the Turkish martyrs and the war veterans who sacrificed or ris­ ked thir lives for paece keeping battles in their nati­ ve country and in any.part of the world .

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This booklet has b~enprepared by the Turkish War veterans association. l

"MEMORANDUM ON THE EFFECT ON WORLD ACTIONS OF THE BATTLES CONDUCTED BY THE TURKISH ARMY IN KOREA AND THE PRIDE BESTOWED UPON THE TURKISH NATION"

COUNTRY-FLAGE-SERviCE COURAGE - FRIENDSHIP

Production c;al'tda~Hizmetler Bas. Yay. Ltd. ~ti. T el: 0.312.310 04 44 Fa.-x: 311 03 35 . ANKARA FOREWORD As the United Nations establishment, which was formed after so many war disasters which mankind suffered, and its principles in the second hfilf of the 20th century, aimed at not leaving alone the wron­ CONTENTS ged nations which were subjected to aggression and PAGE meeting the aggressor head on as an establishment, part of the Turkish Armed Forces who ran to the Summary of the Memorandum ...... ! · help of the wronged South Korea nation upon the I. The General Political Situation and Turkey in invitation to serve this aim have completed the mis­ sion there which fell upon them and have been awar­ 1950 ...... 5 ded by the United Nations Command the distinguis­ II. The Korean War and Turkey's Position ...... 7 hed unit citation. III. Expectations of Turkey and the World from All the brave soldiers of the nations who fought the Korean War ...... 9 in Korea have achieved success at serving the joint aim which the establishment envisaged and have gi­ IV. The Tasks Accomplished by our Soldiers in ven its first example. Korean Combats ...... :...... 10 I respectfully bow before the souls of our beloved The Kunuri Battle ...... 11 martyrs who rest in Korean soil, with the wish and · hope that we join together in the same purpose aga­ Echoes of the Kunuri Battle ...... 15 inst the probable aggressor of the future. The Transformation of Panic into Victory .... 17 The First Returns ...... 20 ' . Hilmi EL<;I The Turkish Brigade Provides "Cease Fire".22 . Retired Genel V. The Great Services Rendered to the Country Old President by the Turkish Brigade ...... 27 Turkish War Veterans Asso­ ciation VI. We have given medals to 3 U.S. Generals .... 28

2 3 I. THE GENERAL POLITICAL SITUATION AND TURKEY IN 1950 THE SUMMARY OF THE MEMORANDUM THE SECOND woJLD w AR: Even in 1950 Turkey was under the obligation to defend her existence on its own, against a great external threat which The War erupted upon the accord and agreement of the still was not eliminated, and knew very well what a serious task Germans with the Russians on the plan eliminating Eastern this was. European and Baltic Nations. Considering this, even the mista­ ke made by the Western Nations in the Munich Conference; Turkey advocated forming the world not by the "Two Gi­ can not save Russia from the millions of lost human lives and ants" but by the Law of the United Nations Organization witho­ demolished countries. ut resorting to the use of force. After a long period of confusion the allied countries finally Turkey which was absolutely against the gaining of terri­ understood that in order to defend the independence of nati­ tory and of political superiority by means of force decided,· ons, the territorial integrity and security of states against exter­ upon the call of the United Nations Organization, to immedia­ nal attacks and pressures no choice was left but to declare war tely assist South Korea which was attacked by North Korea. on the Axis Powers. From that moment, the realization of the ideas and beliefs Turkey took her place near the Allied Powers in the dark adopted by Turkey, depended on the results to be achieved by and hesitant days before the war, as well as when the war star­ her soldiers on the battlefields of Korea. ted. The suggestions even threats of Russia to Turkey to part from the Allied Powers did not achieve any results. Turkey The Turkish Brigades which went to Korea; achieved there, continued to support the Allies even in those years when the among the strongest, most confident and experienced selected Axis star was the brightest units, above all expectations, great and unforgettable, honorab­ le successes. The First Turkish Brigade as a whole was awar­ As the end of the war was being approached, the only sta­ ded by the United States Congress the "Distinguished Unit Ci­ te to warn the World and especially the Western Allies against tation". All the Turkish Brigades that went to Korea, continued the new great dailger which threatened the aims which ~uma­ to show the highest combat capability which would win the nity was fighting for was Turkey. But it was not easy to expla­ respect and praise of the World. in to the Allies, who were thinking of nothing but winning the war, that it was much harder for victory to achieve positive and just results. In fact, when this great and destructive war, which passed in blood and fire, was terminated it was seen that East and Central Europe and the Balkans were left under the tight control of Russia. After this, all efforts of the United Nations and the Western Allies could not get Russia out. THE WORLD AFTER THEW AR: Upon the victory of the Allies Russia began to demand a base in the straits and territory from the Eastern provinces.

4 5 .. confidence of the clarity and certainty of a solidarity agree­ Turkey which never parted from the Allies'in this war which ment Thus Turkey, having passed through the dark and dange­ was considered to have a dark end, suddenly began to be accu­ rous days following the end of the Second World War reached sed of pursuing "two faced politics"· during the retreat of the year 1950. Axis States. However, Turkey was sure of the Allied victory. Therefore it had no need to pursue such politcs. What caused II. THE KOREAN WAR AND TURKEY'S Turkey concern was the expansionist politics which Turkey POSITION was sure Russia would pursue after the victory. Although the Second World War had ended and five years Turkey had resisted the fall of her territory and the Middle had passed, peace had not been signed. For the claims of the ·East under Russian dominnance like the Balkans, based on her "two Great powrers" on arranging the world had transfonned long historical experiences and realistic forecast; refected the into a fight. · insistent proposals of the Allies to join the war, because she Mean- while, the nations, whose independence was decla­ considered these wrong and thus pursued a realistic and logical red to be the cause of the war could not be prevented from fal­ policy. Therefore to look at the policy Turkey pursued as a ling within the Iron Circle. Countries were being intervened in "two faced policy" could only be one purpose. Indeed this cla­ and borders were being played with under the mask of "De­ im would lose its validity and credibility in face of very dange­ mocracy" or "Rights" administration. rous developments which would soon occur. Turkey's policy was not one which was temporary, against treaties and indeci­ The Russian "Security Area" rer,Iaced the German "Life sion. However, a long and, serious period had to pass for the Area". °'Liberal Individualism" and 'Dictatorial Collectivism" Allies to understand this position of Turkey which served pea­ replaced the "New Order" of the Germans. The victorious were ce iii a large area, and precluded expansionism. not trying to realize peace and justice but they were trying to expand into the whole world. As a natural result, everyday While Turkey resisted with courage Russian demands and concern raising events were erupting, in different parts of the expansion an her own, the Allies were in a dangerous state of world. The "Cold War" was continuing with occasional reservation and indecision. "Small Warm Wars". · Russia's expansionist demands soon came to light Upon The world which expected peace to come from victory and this the Western nations felt the need to fonn a defence front which yearned for security, woke with terror on the morning of against the Russian· threats. But it is sad that, Turkey's request 25 June 1950, at a time when it had not yet recuperated from to enter NATO was rejected even though she had seen previo­ the fatigue of the war, upon the sound of artillery exploding in usly the dangers being faced now and brought them into fo­ Korea. cus .. They shut their eyes to the fact that Turkey was all alone against Russia, On the other hand Turkey had started to gain North Korea which was under Russian control, attacked So­ the sympathy of the world through her comageous and decisi­ uth Korea which was under United States supervision and ra­ ve attitude. But, nevertheless Turkey was a country which did pidly proceeded to advance. The parties which had separated not have a solidarity agreement and was alone and without fri­ into Eastern and Western Camps had finally passed from Cold ends. War to Warm War and started to test each other in a serious and relentless manner. The slowly starting assistance of the United States to Tur­ key, though a sign of a positive development did not give the Turkey, which monitored the developments since the vie-

7 6 tory with attention and concern, accepted that the world had co­ ID. EXPECT ATIO NS OF TURKEY AND THE WORLD me to a point of serious decision and position. Altough Tur­ FROM THE KOREAN WAR kish-Russian relations remained at the border of diplomatic When Turkey decided to assist !<0'.!t!'! Korea, she knew that discussions, they were not yet far from causing concern. this would produce widescale and important results both do­ The undertaking of war by a country under Russian control, mestically and in the foreign sphere. The results of this decisi­ against a brother country population, had no doubt a warning on, whether they are positive or negative, but in both cases ap­ meaning. pectmg Turkey, would be formed and established according to; first of all and especially the results which the soldiers sent to Also, Turkey which was against the gaining of supremacy Korea would obtain on the battlefields. through territorial gains by use of force, support_ed the United Nations Organisation as a requirement of the "Peace at Home, For this reason the eyes of the World, as well as those of Peace on Earth" principle of Atatiirk. the State and of the whole Nation, was on our soldiers which were going to Korea. Turkey was advocating that world probler;ns be solved by ' the United Nations Organisation and not the "two Big powers". The Turkish Republic was for the first time putting its sol­ diers to the test on an international and hard battlefield. Thus Turkey, believing in the value of peace, security and justi­ the doubts and concerns about whether the Historical Heroism ce, also considering the importance of friendship and solidarity of the Turkish Army which had not entered the Second World and complying with the call of the United Nations. Organisati­ War would be continued by the Republic Generations would on was the first nation after .the United States to run to the help have come to light. of South Korea with a large force. . It was vitally important that the news which would come Turkey once again took a forward and great step to show from our soldiers in Korea absolutely be news of success. For it those which left her all alone in face of demands and pressures was as if the State had put the burden of its security and deve­ which threatened her existence or those which supported her in lopment in a significant way on the shoulders of these soldiers: a fearful and indecisive manner, that their position was wrong, For this reason the importance of the hopes attached to them by means of effective behaviour. and the tasks expected from them was very great. Turkey felt obliged to help south Korea as a requirement, Now, we can address the aims which were hoped to be rea­ which she could not abandon, of her mission to protect peace, lized with the efforts which the soldiers sent to Korea would security and justice; imposed on her by its geopolitical situati­ show on the battlefields. on in a critical part of the world. The aims pursued by Turkey can be expressed in summary Turkey which was against the use of force for the realizati­ as follows; on of desires while the ways for reconcillation and discussion were open in the United Nations General Assembly and Secu­ - To provide for peace and rcconcilliation by the United Na­ rity Council; look its place among the peaceful nations which tions Organization as an effective establishment and to provi­ ran Lo the caJI of the United Nations Organisation, exactly for de for the solution of all problems through discussion. this reason. - To prevent the tendencies of the Superpowers or the regio­ The rest was left to the capabilities and success of the Bri­ nal pacts established by Developed Countries for global hege- gades sent to Korea.

9 8 mony. We will not just talk here about the battles accomplished by our Brigades-forthe Turkish brigades have -accomplished all - To preclude intervention in internal affairs of nations, po­ their war tasks without default but about for important battles litical and economic pressures, armed expansionism and acti­ which affected the course of the war. And these are the battles ons to achieve political superiority. of Kunuri, Kumjangjangni, Taegyewonni and Wegas. - To support the countries which are attacked, immediately · THE KUNUR1 BATTLE: and effectively by every means and if required by destroying the war machinery of the agressors. · · The United Nations Forces started to attack on the morning of 24 November 1950, under the command of Five Star Gene­ - To work for the establishment of the required assistance ral Douglas Mac Arthur with the objective being the Yalu Ri­ and solidarity environment for a happy, free world which is ver (Border Line). confident of the future. At this time the Turkish Brigade was constituting the reser­ Now we can take a look at how the Turkish soldiers ac­ ve force of the IX th Anny Corps, 3.5 km. West Southwest of complished the war taks which they undertook. the town of Kunuri. The attacks of the United Nations Forces had easily develo­ IV. THE TASKS ACCOMPLISHED BY OUR ped until the evening of 25 November. However the attacks of the Chinese which started as raids on the night of 25/26 No­ SOLDIERS IN vember 1950, created great surprise and confusion at the fronts. KOREAN COMBAT: When morning came on 26 November it was understood The Turkish Brigade had been the subject of the world's that the Chinese Forces had penetrated the front of the II'nd So­ praise, by s_howing a very superior combat capability which uth Koean Army Corps situated in the Central Segment of the provided our state with honor through the successes it won one front and that they had stalked behind the U.S. Divisions situa­ after the other during the three year period of blood and fire ted on the western Segment of the front. Especially the Chinese starting from the hardest and most critical moment it entered Forces, advancing towards Tokchon from the area of the II'nd the battlefield until the signing of the "Ceasefire"agreement South Korean Army Corps had started to threaten the Eighth Because addressing all the battles of the Turkish Brigades, Anny and specifically the IX'th Anny Corps. however briefly, will extend the subject we will just suffice to Therefore upon the the IX'th Army Cops advance the Tur­ list the battles fought and briefly address the most important kish Brigade on reserve against the forces threatening its Eas­ ones. tern Side and Back. 111e Turkish brigades, between the dates of November 1950 After dusk on 26 Novem~rthe Turkish Brigac;le began to and July 1953 have fought the following battles: The Kunuri march by way of the Kunuri-Kaechon-Sinnimni-Wawon­ diversion, The Kumyangjangni-1lli-43 l-639-1mjin attacks, 22/ Tokchon. The Brigade was given the task of capturing the town 23 April L951, The Chorwon-Seul diversion, The Taegyewonni of Tokchon. The Turkish Brigade had started to advance to-. defence, The Bahar-Kumhwa-701 attacks and the Wegas de­ wards the battlefield having undertaken a very rare and heavy fence battles.

10 11 war task which reserves could ever meet against disproportio­ offensives. In the afternoon upon the efforts of the enemy to nal enemy forces and under negative conditions. cut the Kunuri-Wawon road, by transferring forces to the back beyond the effective area of the Brigade, General Y AZICI or­ Having spent the night in Wawon the Brigade restarted to dered praparations to be made for die withdrawal of the Briga­ march at 05:30 in the morning (27 November). As the units de to the Sinnimni segment. were crossing the steep Kanll Yon Mountain and as the Advan­ ce Guard were descending on the Tokchon Valley (14:30 hrs) It was understood that both sides of the Brigade were open the Army Corps gave the order : "Do not advance any further . and that friendly forces had withdrawn. We would want to and get on the defensive on the line which you have reached". strongly emphasise this point. · General Tahsin RAZICI having read in the order the see­ During the Korean War the enemey always found the op­ mingly innocent and unimpdrtant news "1f you do not have tro­ portunity to surround the Brigade by penetrating neighboring ops in Changsangni, our aircraft have identified a force about friendly unit fronts. But no enemy attack ever succeeded in pe­ the size of a regiment whose nationality is unknown"perceived netrating the front of the Turkish Brigade. a danger and ordered the Turkish Brigade to get on the defensi­ ve not where the Army Corps ordered, but on the Wawon line ' The Brigade started to withdraw to the Sinnimni segment 15 km, back west. General Y AZICI's decision would take the from Wawon after dusk at 18:30 hrs. Turkish Brigade back from the point of.destruction and bring it The units which Withdraew to Sinnimni hastily started to to a point which would prevent the destruction of the allied for­ ces. occupy defensive positions. At 24:00 hrs the attack of the enemy started in the form of a raid. While the units which we­ Let us briefly dwell here. We have to show the degree of re situated in favourable terrain cotinued to defend, the other validity of the claim that "the U.S. Generals spent the Brigade units of the Brigade failing to hold started to withdraw towards by using it as a pawn"which had been tried to be imposed on Kunuri. Part of the units which had w1thdrown were stopped our public. When our accounts are looked at; it is obvious how west of Sinnimni through the tough and resolved stance of the General Tahsin YAZICI took responsibility whenever requi­ Brigade Command and put in a new defensive position. red to protect the existence of the Brigade and to successfully Fore-noon on 29 November an attack was undertaken with implement the tasks of war. General Y AZICI never gave in to an Infantry Company to save the II'nd Battallion and the 2'nd the short and dark orders of the U.S. Generals such as Stop-Go. Company which were under enemy encirclement, in Sinnimni. The reinforced Reconnaisance Unit which was the Rear Gu­ The enemy circle was broken and the safe w1thdrowal of the ard of the Brigade prevented the enemy from striking the Bri­ units to Kaechon was provided for. gade at night, by distracting the enemy raid which started on The attacks undertaken by the enemy in the afternoon, aga­ the night of 27/28 November at 24:00 until dawn on 28 No­ vember. inst the Kaechon position were destroyed to their last soldiers. However the forces which the enemy sent beyond the effective At 08:00 hrs on 28 November the Wawon Battle of the Bri­ area of the Brigade to the back could not be stopped. gade began. That day all of the attacks of the numerically supe­ Faced with this situation, at 15:30 hrs. General Tahsin YA~ rior enemy foces first against the Pass Axis and then against ZICI ordered the II'nd and III'rd Battalions to withdraw to the the Pass' Points of Shoulder were broken. In the fore-noon the west of Kaechon. Before the battallions could get 2 Km. away Close Enveloping operations were defeated with our counter

12 13 from Kaechon, they were divided into small groups by the ef­ fective frres they received from three directions. As the Brigade ECHOES OF THE KUNUR1 BATTLE: was entering the night of 29/30 November; the Hacham-Kunuri "4500 soldiers in the middle of the frring line, have known road was cut and the enemy circle was complete. At 17:15 hrs how to create miracles. The sacrifices of the Turks will eter­ the f st Battallim which had w1thdraown from Kaechon, enga­ nally remain in our minds". ged in combat in the Hacham circle. Altough the units were _, dispersed and liaison and management was non existent, the Washington Tribune small groups managed by the Young Officers started to break the enemy circle. The Brigade succeeded in getting out of the . "The courageous battles of the Turkish Brigade have crea­ Hacham circle through attack and infiltration actions which ted a favourable effect on the whole United Nations Forces". continued all night long. Time On 30 November 1950 the various groups advancing to "The surprise of the Korean battles were not the Chinese Sunchon from the south of Tunuri, met with a new enemy circ­ .but the Turks. It is impossible at this moment to find a word to le here. The Sunchon Pass had been under enemy control for. desecribe the heroism which the Turks have shown in the batt- the past two days. The attacks which the 2'nd U.S. Division un­ dertook from the north and the British Brigade from the south les". had not produced results. After a short rest, our infantry started Abent Post to attack the enemy which had dug in on the Sunchon Pass. With this attack in which U.S. Infantry and tanks also partici­ "The Turks have shown in Kunuri a heroism worthy of their pated the pass was opened. glorious history. The Turks have gained the admiration of the whole world through their glorious fighting in the battles". The bayonet of the Turkish Infantry had once again asser­ ted its rule, and had opened ·the Sunchon Pass where the 2'nd Figaro Division had come up against a stone wall. Thus the battles of the Brigade which were given the name Kunuri came to an "The Turb who have been known throughout history by end in a successful conclusion. their courage and decency, have proved that they have kept these characteristics, in the war which the United Nations un- The Turkish Brigade had succeeded to provide the neces­ dertook in Korea". sary time and space for the withdrawal by preventing the en­ Bumer-U.S. Congressman circlement of the Eighth Army and tha IX'th Army Corps and the destruction of the 2nd U.S. Division, through the battles it "There is no one left who does not know that the Turks, our fought on the dates of 27-30 November. valuable allie~,are hard warriors and that they have accomplis­ The Turkish Brigade, which had no war experience, was af­ hed very Gryat feats at the front". fecting a great battle from its roots, was saving the friendly Claud Pepper-U.S. Senator Army which was starting to roll down a. dangerous cliff by stopping the superior numbers of enemy forces.Thus the Briga­ "I now understand that the vote I gave in favour of assistan- de was achieving fame in the world by playing an important ro­ le in the course of the war, in its fir$t battle.

15 14 ce to Turkey was the most fitting vote I gave in my life. Coura­ "The military situation in Korea is being followed with con­ ge, bravery and heroism are the greatest virtues which will so­ cern by the whole American Public. But in these concerned oner or later conquer. In this matter, I know no nation superior days, the heroism shown by the Turks has given ·hope to the to the Turks". American Nation. It has inculeated them with courage. The American public fully appreciates the value of the services ren­ Rose-U.S. Senator dered by the Turkish Brigade and knows that because of them "While the Turks were for a long time fighting against the the Eighth American Army could withdraw without disarray. enemy and dying, the British and Americans were withdrawing The American Public understands that the United Nations For­ The Turk'> who were out of ammunition, affixed their bayonets ces in Korea were saved from encirclement and from falling in and attacked the enemy and there ensued a terrible hand to to the hands of the communists by the heroism shown by the hand combat The Turks succiided in w1thdrawmg by continuo­ Turks". us combat and by carrying their injured comrades on their 2 December 1950, from the coomentary of a U.S. backs. They paraded at Piyongyang with theirheads held high". Radio Commentator. G.G. Martin-British Lieutenant General The Turkish Brigade, as can be understood from thet sum- "The Turkish forces have shown success above that expec­ . mary of the Kunuri battles and the echoes it produced in the ted in the battles they gave in Korea". world, had successfully accomplished its mission.The Brigade was proud to have informed the country of the news of success General Collings-Commander U.S. Army which the state and nation expected; at the highest level. A handful of soldiers had provided the state with power, great op­ "We owe the escape of thousands of United Nations troops portunities and esteem. out of a certain encirclement to the heroism of the Turkish sol­ diers. The Turkish soldiers in Korea have added a new and un­ We can now prooceed with the Kumyangjangni kattle. forgettable page of honor to the customs and legends of hero­ ism of the Turkish Nation".· THE TRANSFORMATION OF PANIC INTO VICTORY: Emanuel Shinwell-U.K. Minister of Defence The United Nations Forces had been morally and materially "The heroic soldiers of a heroic nation, you have saved the very shaken at the end of the enemy attacks which had started Eighth Army and the IX'th Army Corps from encirclement and on the night of 25(26 November 1951, The efforts to stop the the 2'nd Division from destruction. I came here today to thank enemy were not producing any results. The Chinese who had you on behalf of the United Nations Army". gained the initiative were advancing and were striking the Uni- . ted Nations Forces blows one after the other. Winter, snow, General Walton H. Walker-Commander Eighth Army .battles lost one after the other and the losses suffered had left in the "The Turks are the hero of heroes. There is no impossibility nothing resembling morale United Nations Soldiers. The for the Turkish Brigade". atmosphere was one of total defeat. The Chinese had become something which could not be stood up against or dealtwith. General Douglas Mac Arthur-United Nations Forces From private to General the Army was engulfed in an air of subversive, dissolving, and collapsing panic. Commander in Chief.

17 16 enemy under the maddening cold and as if on cue started at­ The various reconnaissance units were rettlllling in panic tack all together. At 05:00 hrs on the morning of 25 January and giving exaggerated hope breaking reports. Thus under the­ the defensive positions of the enemy were wholly captured. se conditions plans had been started to be prepared for the eva­ cuation of Korea and the units were ordered to reconnoitr sec­ The Infantry who did not want to let the enemy take a bre­ retly the avenues of withdraw! and places to board transport. ather cotinued to advance at 07:00 hrs on 26 January. after 5 km. a new defensive line of the enemy was encountered. The In these hopeless and dark days in which the soldiers had Brigadewas attacking with all its capabilities in this segment completely lost their will to fight and the Chinese had advan­ which the enemy was defending with all its power and insisten- ced just waving their arms, according to rumors General Mac ce. arthur said: "Try for once the Turkish Brigade, wait for the news which will come from them. Do not make a decision be­ The battle had started at 09:30 hrs, intensified at 10:30 and fore letting the Turkish Brigade reconnoiter". Whatever the ca­ reached its zenith at 12:00 however, our companies could not se was, the Brigade this time was being sent to the fire at a cri­ find the opportunity to enter enemy positions. Just at this time tical stage, just as it was at Kunuri. The Brigade was being gi- . the news that the enemy's DORA Group had started to attack the East Side began to be received. The enemy had deployed ven a new and important war task, which would play an ·, important role on the testing of the battles. its reserve to control the situation. In order to stop this dange­ rous maneuver the 3rd Company with the support of the 4th On 25 January 1951 the Turkish Brigade started to advance Company was ordered to attack. The enemy attack group towards enemy lines by starting from two columns. after ad­ which was caught in line advance was destroyed after a battle vancing 1.5 km. the enemy was engaged. The companies star­ of one hour duration to its last soldier. ted to attack enemy positions like arrows out of bows. Indeed after this moment the luck of battle started to shine At 1:00 hrs. the fortified positions of the enemy were ente­ on the Brigade. The companies entered the enemy positions red and enemy resistance was crushed. The companies did not one after the other. The enemy started to run in panic which we wait long to open and spread again and started to look for the had not seen until that day. At 15:00 hrs all the resistance po­ enemy. After advancing north about 2.5 km. the defensive po­ ints of the enemy were captured. The Infantries were pursuing sitions of the enemy were encountered at the 185 altitude Hill the enemy with all their speed in order not to let them get away line. The 1O'th Company succeeded in entering the enemy de­ and were attacking them witliout hesitation wherever they met fense position at 15:00 hrs in this segment where intensive fire the enemy. battles took place. A relentless and close combat had started all When the evening came,· the defense system of the enemy along the front. The enemy was defending its position literally which was 4 km. deep had been completely destroyed. While to "its last breath". Darkness had fallen but decisive results co­ uld not be obtained. The enemy was resisting and our soldiers the prisoners were being transported back there were innume­ were attacking. A very complex and dangerous situation had rable enemy dead lying. occured with the enemy and friendly forces mixed within each This success of the Brigade had aroused great excitement other. The Army Corps gave the order for "Turks to fix their and caused great surprise at all Echelons of Command in the bayonets where they reach and not withdraw even one step". rear. The companies thought attacking and finishing the job of On the morning of 27 January the Brigade started advance the enemy more logical than waiting nose to nose wht the

19 18 operations and began looking for the enemy. But the enemy not to let Seoul fall. could not be found on this day. In the Seoul defence the Turkish Brigade was assigned at Upon this unique and extraordinary success of the Brigade the Reconnaissance Base forward of the Main Battle Line. The the Major Command Headquarters renounced their evacuation Brigade had established positions at the Taegyewonni area plans and started to attack first with the l'st, two days later with where the two invasion directions coming from the enemy in­ the IX'th Army Corps and finally with all the units of the tersected and where the axis from ther to Seoul crossed. Eighth Army. For the enemy to be able to attack the Seoul defense positi­ The Turkish Brigade which had for the second time chan­ ons it first had to eliminate the Turkish Brigade. Thus the Bri­ ged the course of the war had shown the United Nations Army gade had taken such a critical task in the Seoul defense. Of co­ which was thinking of leaving Korea, that the enemy wasvul­ urse this should not be looked upon as a coincidence or chance. nerable and had opened the way to tmn and attack the enemy. The tried fighting capability of the Brigade and the confidence felt in it had made it the first unit to come to mind for the most Upon this success, the "Undefeatable and Unafraid Brig"1- important and serious tasks. de" was given the "Distinguished Unit Citation" by the U.S .. Congress for its superior fighting capability and great war po­ The enemy started to attack at23: 15 hrs on the night of 17I W"er.Until that day such a medal had only been given to two 18 May 1951. The enemy which attacked the 6'th company U.S. units. Apart from this, the first to reveive this medal as a first then immediately attacked the 7'th, 5'th and 3'rd Compani­ unit of a foreign nation were the Turkish Brigade. es' fronts. The enemy which had attacked the Northern and Eastern sections of the Brigade, had met with the Turkish In­ It was being understood that the successes won by the Tur- fantry and the fire of the Turkish Artillery both of which did . kish Brigade were not fortuitous ar:td that they were continuing not know the words of "fear" or quit'. The enemy which repea­ at an increasing level. Embassie standing in the corner in the ted its attack six times with short intervals could not enter any most out of place countries of the world were filling up with positions. The attack waves which the enemy sent without loo­ people who had come congratulate. The media of the world king at the heavy losses it suffered were receeding in front of were continuing to report with big headlines the heroism our positions like waves hitting rocks. shown by Turkis in Korea. From now on the Korean War me­ As down approached on the morning of 18 May the enemy ant witnessing the heroism of the Turkish Brigade. had started to withdraw inside the dark forest. The valleys we­ Thus Turkey, which had been left to its deep loneliness af­ re covered in gun powder smoke. Hundreds of enemy dead lay in front of the positions and on the hills across. They lay as ter World War II had become a 11ation praised by all nations and one that they started to establish relations with. unescaped witnesses of those who attacked Turkish soldiers. The Brigade had successfully cut the way of advance of the THE FIRST RETURNS: enemy. However, it did not know that it had given a battle which would affect the testing of the war. The only thing it With the Second big Chinese attack which had started on knew was that it had to fight a relentless tough battle in order the night of 22/23 April 1951 at the Chorwon line, the United to stop the enemy and protect its existense. · Nations Army had withdrawn up to the outskirts of Seoul. The In this battle in which the Brigade emerged with honor the enemy had re-gained the initiative and wanted to capture seouL attack which the enemy undertook against Seoul produced no The United Nations Forc~shad gone on the defensive in order results. The command which did not want to miss the opportu-

20 21 nity formed by the Brigade breaking the attack power and mo­ The enemy had started to prepare in order to once more try fale of the enemy did not delay the decision to replace defense its luck with arms. The attack which had been undertaken not with attack. The enemy which could not find the opportunity to much later with large forces against the front of the Turkish change its battle formation from attack to defense started to Brigade had two aims. Either they would have their demands withdraw towards the 38'th Parallel suffering a heavy defeat. accepted at the Panmunjon "Cease Fire" discussions or they As the Brigade wastaken back after this famous new battle would reach the conclusion by penetrating allied lines. it was met with the enthusiastic show of sympathy and appre­ Thus this attack which the enemy had much previously ciation by the friendly soldiers along the way. The friendly sol­ planned in a detailed manner and put into implemetation by diers were running along the road and shouting "The First Re­ using all its experience had started on 28 May 1953 at 19:48 turns". hrs. The location where the Brigade gave the night battle on 17/ The techniques employed and the will to fight shown by the 18 May was given the name "The Turkish Fortress". enemy in this attack had been of a commendable level. In this The commander m chief of the United Nations Forces Ge­ attack which continued for thirty hours, all the echelons of the neral Matthew B. Ridgway said; "I had heard of the fame of enemy from Private to General Fought with all their strength the Turkish Soldiers before I came to Korea. The truth is I had ', in the recognition of the importance of the aim pursued.For not really believed what I had heard. But I now understand that this battle would be the last one to establish the result in Korea. in fact you are the best. and most trustworthy soldiers of the In case of defeat they would have to accept the consequence, world" and thus explained the emotions he felt and the assess­ but if success would be achieved the military operation would ments he reached from the Teagyewonni Battle. develop and at least political advantages would be gained. Now let us briefly and last address the Wegas Battle of the Brigade. Thus the Turkish Brigade had to again meet an enemy at­ THE TURKISH BRIGADE PROVIDES "CEASE FIRE": tack which had a decisive aim and which was well prepared In June 1951 the United Nations Forces had advanced up to and resolute. the Imjin River-Chorwon-Kumhwa line. The trials at 1950 and In the front the positions were very close to each other. 1951 could not obtain decisive results and the parties mutually Such a situation had serious tactical disadvatages. Besides, ha­ went on the defensive and stopped the attack operations. This ving to wait in tight, humid and dark positions was tiring and meant that the Korean War had remained where it started and irritating the soldiers. As the days passed in such a manner on that the war had not reached the established objective. 28 May at 19:48 hrs the war again became bloody with the at­ Now; no other operations could be made except Ambush. tack of the enemy supported by intense fire. Reconnaissance and Battle Front Line conflicts. The Great Mi­ litary Operation had stopped. The parties who understood that The enemy attacks which intensified on the front of the they could not solve the Korean problem with arms had started II'nd Battallion of the Brigade led to very bloody and someti­ "Cease Fire" discussions. . mes crisis-like battles on the hills of Garson, Big Wegas, Elko The discussions held at Panmunjon were protracting and and Little Wegas which continued for thirty hours. were not reaching a result. The fact that the discussions were often being out and reconciliation could not be provided was The aforementioned hills changed hands frequently during increasing the chances of the big Military Operation re­ the bloody battles which continued in big savagry from 19:48 starting. For this reason the parties were strengthening their de­ hhs on 28 May 1953 to 24:00 hrs on 29 May night and day wit­ fense lines, and were waiting ready to meet possible attacks. hout stopping.

22 23 A 03:47 the Brigade gives the order to attack Big Wegas. I . The enemy started the attack at 19:48 by smokebombing Garson is in the hands of the enemy. At 04:27 the enemy.rein­ the Little Wegas Hill. It entered positions at 20:00 hrs. As the forces Big Wegas. At 05:05 Garson is being shelled. Little enemy was reinforcing Little Wegas, our Infantry counter at­ Wegas in holding but the wounded can not be evacuated. tacked at 21:15 with fire support. At 21:19 the,enemy started to run having failed to hold. The enemy which managed to captu­ With the attack at 10:50 we take Big Wegas. The enemy is re a Bunker was destroyed at 21:5l with bombs and bayonet running. Everywhere there are dead and wounded. charges. At 11:15 the american Company attacked Garson from El­ At 21:52 hrs, Garson and Elko were completely smoked. ko however, upon being surrounded by the Chinese, started to The enemy is turning Big Wegas into hell with artillery and withdraw at 16:00 hrs. mortar fire. The enemy which entered Big Wegas ·was thrown At 15:43 the Chinese entered Elko. Hand grenade combat back at 21:58 with bayonet charges. started in Elko. The enemy occupied a Bunker. After this it en­ Ammunition began to run low at the Battle Front Lines. At tered Big Wegas at 16:15 Our infantry immediately counter at­ 22:08 the enemy re-entered Big Wegas. At 22:20 hrs enemr. tacked and threw the enemy back. The battle is continuing high reinforcements reached Big Wegas. The enemy was subjected tension. to intense artillery fire. At 22:40 a counter attack was underta­ At 19:33 hrs. the enemy started to attack Little Wegas from ken against Big Wegas. The enemy attacked Garson at 22:45 Big Wegas. At 20:05 our 2'nd Artillery Battery started to burn. hrs. At 13:15 hrs our Infantry re-captured Big Wegas. At 20:21 it had completely burned. The enemy who had entered Elko was thrown back at 23: 15 At 20:50 the Division decided to evacuate Wegas. The hrs. No opportunity was given to the enemy, which had entered enemy can not. enter Wegas. But at 21:09 our infantry with­ Little Wegas, to hold and as a result of a counter attack the Hill draw upon orders. At 20:20 Wegas is completely evacuated. was re-captured at 23:34 hrs. At 23:30 the enemy entered Big .q'he command who fought the enemy had been given the requi­ We gas. At 23:53 the enemy attack against Elko and Garson be­ red lesson decided to stop the bloody battle. gan. Wired and wireless communications were cut . . At the end of the bloody battles which continued for thirty The situation started to present a full scaje crisis. Hand to hours the enemy; with the withdrawal of our Battallion, had hand combat is continuning at Battle Front Lines. At 00:40 hrs. captured Big Wegas, Elko and Garson. But because it had used the enemy started to attack Little Wegas. The enemy is trying up all its attack strength it could not undertake another attack to capture the Battle Front Lines before daylight. against the Main battle line. At 01:20 the enemy enters Garson. At 01:50 fighting conti­ The attacks of the enemy which it undertook with the large nues with the enemy who has entered some of the Bunkers on forces it had concentrated and with strong artillery and mortar Little Wegas and Big Wegas. Communications can not be es­ groups, for thirty hours was caught up in the Battle ·Front Li­ tablished with Garson. nes. At 03:23 those enemy soldiers entering Little Wegas and During these Battles, according to the report of our Artil­ those approaching in order to reinforce surrender to our soldi­ lery Advance Surveillance Officer we suffered 300 and the ers. enemy around 2000 casualties. On the other hand General

24 25 Ridgway explains the casualties suffered in the battles with the their homeland with these hopes, with joy and peace of mind. following figures; "The turkish Brigade suffered 104 dead and, 376 wounded. The enemy losses were established to be Atatilrk's aphorism;"In no army of the world has a soldier 2200 dead and 1075 wounded"(*) been encounteredwith a heart so pureand so strongas yours" has been the motto of the Turkid1 S0l~0c. V. THE GREAT SERV1CES RENDERED (*) Refer To The Korean War Wntten By The General TOTHECOUNTRYBYTHE Matthew Ridgway-p:220 TURKISHBRIGADE The enemy understood after this battle that there was no Our soldiers who fought in Korea; option but to "Cease Fire" and to re-start the laygng-down-of­ arms negotiations in a lively and willing manner. In fact before - Firstly, have demonstrated that the Turkish Armed Forces long the "Cease Fire" was signed. have a strong advanced "Military. Culture". The Turkish Brigade affected the "Cease Fire" which was ' - Have demonstrated that the "tradition of Heroism" of the signed in Korea, through the battles it fought on 28 an 29 May Turkish Army is continuing, that the Turkish soldier who is 1953. As can be seen, the Turkish Brigade had often demons­ known as a hard warrior has not changed, that their capabiliti­ trated successes, during the Korean battles, which affected the es as warriors are maintained. course of the war. Finally, The Turkish Brigade also fought the last battle leading to the "Cease Fire". - Have proved that they are superior as units or individuals, under all circumstances, beyond comparison with the enemy. Of course all these battles were not easy and without loss. -The battles fought by the Turkish Brigades in Korea are The major conclusion i:eached from the battles fought by being studied at foreign military schools and the conclusions the Turkish Brigades in Korea is that; the Turkish Soldiers ha­ are being tried and implemented. ve not bruised the impression of Historical Turkish Heroism, the young generations who had experience with now and mo­ - General Dwight D. Eisenhower who came to Ankara whi­ dern warfare weapons and equipment and also of war re­ le the Korean war were continuing indicated that the NATO affirmed their fighting capability in this war of coalition in door which was once shut in our face was being opened to Tur­ which they participated; demonstrated that they were worthy of key by saying that "No doubt the strongest and most reliable the trust and support of the State and Nation expected from protector of the European civilization is the Turkish Army". them in the best manner. - As a friend looked for by Europe Turkey was immediately No doubt that our State would not withold its attention and accepted to NATO and the equipping of the Turukish Army support from the obeying, sacrificing and trustworthy soldiers was given important priority. who had really achieved a great task; had pro".ided great poli­ - The insufficient aid to develop Turkey also in an econo­ tical and economic opportunities and esteem for the State, and mic way started to signigicantly increase and take place at an would do its utmost for them to reach the level of life they de­ effective level. Thus an indirect but effective and great contri­ served. bution was made for the development of Turkey. The soldiers who fought in Korea were proud to retun to

27 26 - Because of the Turkish soldier who had taken the title of SiikrliElekdag in a ceremony conducted at the Washington "Number One Soldier" of the war in Korea, the "Soldier asso­ Embassy ... ciations" of foreign friendly countries had taken a very benefi­ Washington (Hiirriyet)- Medals were given to 3 retired ge­ cial attitude and understanding for the Turkish Nation. rerals who commanded the United Nations Forces during the In fact we saw this attitude recently in an event which took Korea War, in a ceremony said: "The days we fought side by place in Australia in the undertakings of the ANZAC's who side with the Turkish Soldier in Korea are unforgettable me­ had great respect for Turks and which continued to feel this mories for me". way with the Korean War. · In the ceremony which was also attended by officials of As it is known, the Australian government like the Europe­ the U.S. Defense end State Departments, Ambassador Si.ikrli an countries, had decided to allow workers to immigrate to its Elekdag who personally presented the awanrds of General country. However these workers could not be of the Yellow or Marlc Clark, General Maxwell Taylor and General Matthew Second Class Races. This was a government decision. It was Ridgeway who were found ·worthy of award by the Korea War learned by the Turkish Ambassador in Australia (*) that Tur- '. Veterans Association, said: "The Korea War in which Turkish key had been included in the Second Class Races and this had and American soldiers fought side by side, has constituted an created disillusionment. At a cocktail party in which ANZAC's important milestone in the relations between the two countri­ were also present our Ambassador hinted at this decision es." which their government took while talking to the ANZAC's "DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATION" The ANZAC's did not quite believe what they heard. However when they found out that what was said was true, they immedi­ The Congress of the United States of America has awarded ately acted and persuaded their government to reverse its deci- . the Turkish Brigade which fought in Korea the "Distinguished sion. The taking of Turkish workers into Australia only started Unit Citation". after this undertaking. The "Distinguished Unit Citation" is found world wide in - We could say that the extraordinary successes shown by only three military units two of which are U.S. Units and one the Turkish Soldiers in Korea has also been effective in pre­ of which is a Turkish Unit. venting the cold and warm conflicts around us, which often ta­ ke a fiery form, from jumping ·our borders. "WE LIVE TOGETHER WITH THE KOREA HEROES HISTORY IS CONGRATULATING EACH TURK"

(*) Mr Baba Vefa Karatay VI. WE HAVE G!VEN MEDALS TO 3 U.S. GENE­ RALS: The medals of Matthew Ridgeway, Maxwell Taylon and Marte Clark who were found worthy of award by the Korea War Veterans Association were presented by Ambassador

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