Fahrettin Altay

General Fahrettin Altay, one of the important figures in Turkish military history, was born in 1880 in the city of Shkodra, Albania. His father was Ismail Hakkı Paşa, an Ottoman governor and pasha. He began his military education in Istanbul and graduated successfully from both the Military Academy and the War College.

Military Career

Throughout his military career, Altay served on various fronts. He first participated in the 1909 Dersim Operation, and later played an active role in the Balkan Wars (1912-1913). During World War I, he served on the Palestine Front, where he stood out particularly during the Third Battle of Gaza and the Battles of Jerusalem for his successes. After the war, Altay returned to Istanbul and, when the War of Independence began, moved to Anatolia to join the National Struggle.

At Mustafa Kemal Pasha's suggestion, Fahrettin Pasha was appointed as the Commander of the Cavalry Corps. During the Battle of Sakarya and the Great Offensive, he directed the army's forward movement and played a crucial role, especially during the Battle of Dumlupınar, where cavalry units encircled enemy lines and contributed to a decisive victory. For these achievements, he was awarded the Red-Green Ribbon Independence Medal.

On March 15, 1922, he was appointed as the Commander of the 5th Corps in Konya, and later became the Inspector of the 2nd Army on October 31, 1924, and Commander of the 1st Army on November 22, 1933. He was promoted to the rank of full general on August 30, 1926, and continued his military service until July 14, 1945. During this time, he held the position of commander of both the 2nd Army for 10 years and the 1st Army for another 10 years, amassing a total of 48 years, 4 months, and 12 days of active military service.

Political Life

In addition to his military career, Altay also had an interest in politics. He served as a member of parliament for Mersin in the 1st period (1920-1923) and İzmir in the 2nd period (1923-1927). However, on October 30, 1924, he resigned from parliament and chose to remain in the army at the request of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. After his retirement, he became the deputy for Burdur in the 8th period (1946-1950) and retired from active politics in 1950.

Death and Legacy

Fahrettin Altay passed away at the age of 94 from heart failure at his home in Emirgan, Istanbul, on October 26, 1974. His funeral was held with a military ceremony at Şişli Mosque and he was buried at Aşiyan Cemetery. Later, on October 25, 1988, his remains were transferred to the State Cemetery. Following his death, a condolence message was issued by the then President of Turkey, Fahri Korutürk.

Works

Fahrettin Altay wrote several works on military and cultural subjects. Some of his prominent books and works include:

• On Year of War (1912-1922) and After, Istanbul 1970.
• The Cavalry Corps in Our War of Independence, İnsel Publishing House, Istanbul (1925).
• Conference on the 3rd Battle of Gaza During World War I.
• Memories of the 3rd Gaza and Jerusalem Battles.
• From Empire to Republic: Fahrettin Altay Pasha Tells: The Gallery of Three Eras (1902-1938), Kamer Publishing, Istanbul 1998.
• Atatürk, Religion, and Secularism, Menteş Publishing House, Istanbul 1968.
• Islamic Religion, Ölçülü Publishing House, Istanbul 1959.
• The Operations of the Cavalry Corps in the Turkish War of Independence, Konya 1925.

Legacy

Fahrettin Altay's name is immortalized in modern Turkish defense industry projects, notably in the ALTAY Main Battle Tank. The name of the officer who commanded the 5th Cavalry Corps during the War of Independence is now carried on in modern Turkish military vehicles. The ALTAY Tank was developed by BMC Tank and New Generation Vehicles General Directorate, and on November 9, 2018, a mass production agreement was signed with the Presidency of Defense Industries, marking Altay's continued presence not only in historical records but also in modern Turkey's defense systems.