Kâzım Orbay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kâzım Orbay
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| Born | 11 March 1887 Smyrna (İzmir), Ottoman Empire |
| Died | 3 June 1964 (aged 77) Istanbul, Turkey |
| Buried |
Zincirlikuyu Mezarlığı
Transferred to State Cemetery |
| Allegiance | |
| Years of service |
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| Rank | General |
| Commands held | 3rd Caucasian Division, Second Chief of the General Staff, 4th Corps, General Commander of Gendarmerie, Third Army, Member of the Supreme Military Council, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Chief of the General Staff, Member of the Supreme Military Council |
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| Other work | President of the Constituent Assembly, Senator |
| Signature |  |
Mehmet Kâzım Orbay (born March 11, 1887 – died June 3, 1964) was an important Turkish general and a senator. He is known for serving as the third Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces. This means he was the highest-ranking military officer in Turkey for a time.
Contents
Early Life and Military Training
Kâzım Orbay was born in 1887 in Smyrna, which is now known as İzmir in Turkey. At that time, it was part of the Ottoman Empire.
He studied at the Mühendishâne-i Berrî-i Hümâyûn, which was the Imperial School of Military Engineering. He finished his studies and joined the army in 1904. His first rank was an artillery lieutenant.
After more training, he became a staff officer in 1907. In 1908, he went to Germany to take more military courses.
Military Career and Key Conflicts
Balkan Wars and World War I
From 1912 to 1913, Kâzım Orbay fought in the Balkan Wars. These wars were a series of conflicts in Southeast Europe.
During World War I, he worked as the chief assistant for the Ministry of War. He served under a leader named Enver Pasha.
In 1915, he was sent on a special mission to Afghanistan. This mission was called the Niedermayer–Hentig Expedition. He carried a message from the Ottoman Sultan. The message asked people to join the Central Powers and fight against the Allies. The plan was for Afghanistan to attack British India, but this attack never happened.
Turkish War of Independence
After the Ottoman Empire was defeated in World War I, Kâzım Orbay joined the independence movement. This movement aimed to create an independent Turkey.
During the Turkish War of Independence, he led parts of the Eastern Front Army. He fought in the Caucasus region between 1920 and 1922. He also took part in the important Battle of Dumlupınar. This battle was fought in western Anatolia against the invading Greek Army.
Later Military Ranks and Leadership
In 1926, Kâzım Orbay was promoted to Korgeneral, which is a three-star rank in the military. He was then made the vice chief of the general staff.
From 1928 to 1929, he served as the Chief of the General Staff for the army of Afghanistan. After returning to Turkey, he continued to hold important military positions. In 1935, he was promoted again to Orgeneral, a four-star rank.
Kâzım Orbay became the Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces on January 12, 1944. He took over from Fevzi Çakmak. He served in this top military role until July 23, 1946, when he resigned.
Retirement and Political Role
Kâzım Orbay officially retired from the military on July 6, 1950.
After a military coup in 1960, he was elected as a senator in 1961. He also served as the president of the parliament during this time.
He passed away in Ankara on June 3, 1964. He was laid to rest in the Turkish State Cemetery.
See also
- List of high-ranking commanders of the Turkish War of Independence
