The Eighth Army of the
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire (), also called the Turkish Empire, was an empire, imperial realm that controlled much of Southeast Europe, West Asia, and North Africa from the 14th to early 20th centuries; it also controlled parts of southeastern Centr ...
(
Turkish: ''Sekizinci Ordu'') was one of the
field armies of the
Ottoman Army
The Military of the Ottoman Empire () was the armed forces of the Ottoman Empire. It was founded in 1299 and dissolved in 1922.
Army
The Military of the Ottoman Empire can be divided in five main periods. The foundation era covers the years ...
. It was established during
World War I
World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
.
World War I
In June 1917,
Enver PaÅŸa activated the
Yildirim Army Group (also known as Thunderbolt Army Group) commanded by the
German General
Erich von Falkenhayn, and reinforced it with surplus Ottoman units transferred from
Galicia,
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern and Southeast Europe. It borders Ukraine to the north and east, Hungary to the west, Serbia to the southwest, Bulgaria to the south, Moldova to ...
, and
Thrace
Thrace (, ; ; ; ) is a geographical and historical region in Southeast Europe roughly corresponding to the province of Thrace in the Roman Empire. Bounded by the Balkan Mountains to the north, the Aegean Sea to the south, and the Black Se ...
.
[Erickson ''Ordered to Die: A History of the Ottoman Army in the First World War'', Greenwood Press, 2001, , pp. 159, 171, ''Ottoman Army Effectiveness in World War I: a comparative study'' Routledge Press, 2007, p. 115]
Following the formation of the Yildirim Army Group substantial forces were deployed to Syria and Palestine, where they continued to hold the Fourth Army defenses. Already in Palestine were the 3rd, 7th, 16th, and 54th Infantry Divisions while the 26th 27th, and 53rd Infantry Divisions arrived during the summer. The 3rd, 7th 16th, and 26th Infantry Divisions had fought in the Gallipoli campaign and the 3rd Cavalry Division had fought in the Caucasian Campaigns.
[Erickson ''Ottoman Army Effectiveness in World War I: a comparative study'' Routledge Press, 2007, p. 102][Erickson ''Ordered to Die: A History of the Ottoman Army in the First World War'', Greenwood Press, 2001, , p. 172]
On 2 October 1917, he activated the new Eighth Army, commanded by
Kress von Kressenstein, and deployed it along with the Seventh Army, commanded by
Mustafa Kemal to the Yildirim Army Group.
[Edward J. Erickson, ''Ordered to Die: A History of the Ottoman Army in the First World War'', Greenwood Press, 2001, , p. 171.] Seven infantry division and one cavalry division already serving in the region, formed the recently activated Ottoman Eighth Army. They were the 3rd, 7th, 16th, 26th, 27th, 53rd and 54th Infantry Divisions and the 3rd Cavalry Division.
Order of Battle, January 1918
In January 1918, the army was structured as follows:
[Edward J. Erickson, ''Ordered to Die: A History of the Ottoman Army in the First World War'', Greenwood Press, 2001, , p. 181.]
*Eighth Army, (
Ferik Cevat Pasha)
**
XXII Corps
***
3rd Division,
7th Division,
20th Division
**
16th Division
**
54th Division
**
2nd Caucasian Cavalry Division
Order of Battle, September 1918
In September 1918, the army was structured as follows:
[Edward J. Erickson, ''Ordered to Die: A History of the Ottoman Army in the First World War'', Greenwood Press, 2001, , p. 197.]
*Eighth Army, (Ferik Cevat Pasha)
**XXII Corps
***7th Division, 20th Division
**Left Wing Group (Colonel
Gustav von Oppen)
***16th Division,
19th Division
***
German Asia Corps
**2nd Caucasian Cavalry Division
After Mudros
Order of Battle, November 1918
In November 1918, the army was structured as follows:
[Edward J. Erickson, ''Ordered to Die: A History of the Ottoman Army in the First World War'', Greenwood Press, 2001, , p. 202.]
*Eighth Army, (
Smyrna
Smyrna ( ; , or ) was an Ancient Greece, Ancient Greek city located at a strategic point on the Aegean Sea, Aegean coast of Anatolia, Turkey. Due to its advantageous port conditions, its ease of defence, and its good inland connections, Smyrna ...
)
**
XVII Corps
***58th Division
**
XXI Corps
***57th Division
Sources
External links
{{Ottoman Forces during World War I
Field armies of the Ottoman Empire
Military units and formations of the Ottoman Empire in World War I
Capture of Damascus