Cemil Cahit Toydemir was a soldier and politician who served in the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Türkiye. He participated in the Italo-Turkish War, the Balkan Wars, World War I, and the Turkish War of Independence, rising to the rank of full general in the Republican era and serving as Minister of National Defense.

Life

Cemil Cahit Toydemir was born in Istanbul in 1883. His father was Mehmet Cahit Bey, a military lieutenant colonel who immigrated to Istanbul due to the Circassian exile, and his mother was Fatma Vasfiye Hanım. Toydemir began his military education at the Military Academy on March 14, 1900, and graduated on December 6, 1902, with the rank of second lieutenant.

Military Career

After graduating from the Military Academy, he served in the 9th Rifle Battalion in Beirut and at the Hejaz Railway Line Commissariat. In 1909, Cemil Cahit Bey was appointed Commander of the 2nd Company, 3rd Battalion, 49th Regiment in Yemen, and participated in the 1911-1912 Italo-Turkish War. Subsequently, he also served in the Balkan Wars. During World War I, Toydemir served on various fronts, holding important positions such as Commander of the 53rd Regiment, Acting Commander of the 33rd Division, and Commander of the 1st Caucasian Division. On July 28, 1918, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and appointed Commander of the Baku Position in the same year.

Turkish War of Independence Period

Cemil Cahit Bey stood by Mustafa Kemal Pasha from the first days of the Turkish War of Independence. On July 15, 1919, he moved to Anatolia and was appointed Commander of the 5th Caucasian Division. He participated in the Sivas Congress and the Amasya Protocols. He played a role in suppressing the Pontus, Zile, and Yozgat rebellions. He served in the Second Battle of İnönü, the Battles of Aslıhanlar-Dumlupınar, and the Battle of Sakarya. For his success in the Battle of Sakarya, he took the surname “Toydemir” after the surname law was enacted. He was promoted to colonel on September 12, 1921, to brigadier general on August 30, 1927, to lieutenant general in 1933, and to full general in 1942.

Republican Era Duties

After the proclamation of the Republic, Cemil Cahit Toydemir commanded various military units. In 1932, he was appointed Undersecretary for Land Forces at the Ministry of National Defense. In 1936, he served as 2nd President of the Military Court of Appeals, in 1939 as Commander-in-Chief of the Gendarmerie, and in 1940 as Commander of the 20th Corps. In 1942, he was promoted to full general and appointed President of the Military Court of Appeals in the same year. In 1943, Toydemir was appointed Commander of the 1st Army, a position he held until 1946. During World War II, he conducted military inspections in Germany at the invitation of German Head of State Adolf Hitler.

Political Life

Retiring from the military in 1946, Toydemir was elected as a member of parliament for Istanbul from the Republican People's Party in the general elections held in the same year. He served as Minister of National Defense in the Recep Peker Government between August 7, 1946, and September 5, 1947. During his tenure, he attempted to carry out modernization and reform efforts in the army organization. However, these initiatives led to some reactions in the army and political circles, and Minister Toydemir resigned from his post of his own volition. His parliamentary term also ended with the 1950 elections, marking the end of his political career.

Wars Participated In

Italo-Turkish War (1911-1912)
Balkan Wars (1912-1913)
World War I (1914-1918)
Turkish War of Independence (1919-1922)

Awards and Decorations

Cemil Cahit Toydemir was honored with various decorations and medals by the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Türkiye for his military achievements. He was awarded, primarily, the Medal of Independence with Red Ribbon, as well as the Order of Medjidie of the Fifth Class, the Order of Medjidie of the Fourth Class with Swords, and the War, Silver Combat Merit, and Silver Combat Privilege Medals.

Death

Cemil Cahit Toydemir passed away in Istanbul on July 14, 1956. He was initially buried in Edirnekapı Martyr's Cemetery. On October 25, 1988, his remains were transferred to the State Cemetery.