General Mehmet Kâzım Orbay (11 March 1886, İzmir – 3 June 1964, Ankara) was a military leader and statesman who held active roles during the final years of the Ottoman Empire and the founding and early years of the Republic of Türkiye. During the Turkish War of Independence, he served in high-command positions on various fronts; in the years following the proclamation of the Republic, he held significant military and administrative posts. Orbay served as the third Chief of the General Staff in the history of the Republic of Türkiye and also presided over the Chamber of Deputies of the Constituent Assembly established during the drafting of the 1961 Constitution. He participated in the military and political decision-making processes that shaped the Republic and is remembered as one of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s close comrades-in-arms.

Military Career and the War of Independence

In 1922, Kâzım Orbay was appointed commander of the 3rd Caucasian Division and achieved notable military successes during the Commander-in-Chief’s Battle. On the evening of 30 August 1922, his troops captured two Greek division commanders, 75 officers, and approximately 2,000 soldiers. The captured commanders were brought before Mustafa Kemal Pasha that same night. Orbay later recounted an anecdote describing Atatürk’s respectful and humane treatment of the captured officers. On the same date, Orbay was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General and continued serving as commander of the 3rd Caucasian Division throughout the Turkish War of Independence, maintaining an active role in its final stages.

High Military Posts and Suppression of Rebellions

Between 1924 and 1930, Orbay served as Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Commander of the 4th Army, and Chief of the Gendarmerie General Command. From 1928 to 1929, he headed the Turkish Military Mission to Afghanistan, making significant contributions to Türkiye’s foreign relations. In 1935, he was appointed Inspector of the 3rd Army and was promoted to the rank of General that same year.

During the Dersim Rebellion, which began in March 1937, Orbay served as Inspector of the 3rd Army. In 1938, when the rebellion reignited following attacks on gendarmerie units and the killing of soldiers, he played an active role in the Second Dersim Operation launched to suppress the uprising. He carried out regional clearance operations in July and August 1938 in coordination with the Fourth General Inspectorate, resulting in the complete suppression of the rebellion. For his conduct in this operation, Orbay was commended by General Fevzi Çakmak, Chief of the General Staff. He personally sent a telegram to Atatürk announcing the conclusion of the Dersim operation.

World War II Era and After

In 1939, Orbay led delegations to Britain and France to secure war materiel to meet Türkiye’s military needs. On 7 July 1939, he traveled to Britain to negotiate the procurement of military weapons and equipment and again led a delegation to Britain on 3 October 1939. This delegation conducted an assessment of arms and materiel with participation from the Turkish Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Chief of the General Staff (1944–1946)

On 15 February 1943, Kâzım Orbay was appointed a member of the Supreme Military Council. He returned to the position of Deputy Chief of the General Staff on 1 December 1943. Following the retirement of Fevzi Çakmak Pasha, he was appointed the third Chief of the General Staff of Türkiye on 12 January 1944 and served in this role until 23 July 1946. On 29 July 1946, he was succeeded by General Salih Omurtak and returned to the Supreme Military Council.

Syria Mission and Retirement

On 7 July 1949, Orbay was temporarily assigned to Syria, where his services earned him the Syrian Order of Merit from the Syrian Government. On 24 April 1950, he headed a delegation to attend the funeral of Reza Shah Pahlavi as President’s Chief Aide. He was retired by a decision of the Council of Ministers on 6 July 1950.

Presidency of the Constituent Assembly (1961)

Following the 27 May 1960 military coup, Orbay was elected President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Constituent Assembly, tasked with drafting Türkiye’s new constitution. He served in this role from 6 January 1961 to 24 October 1961. In an interview he gave to the journal Akis Mecmuası upon his election, he stated that the appointment was a great honor for him and expressed confidence in his ability to work successfully with the esteemed members of the Assembly.

Personal Life and Awards

General Kâzım Orbay was fluent in French, German, and Italian. Throughout his life, he received numerous medals and decorations, including the Silver Medal of Merit, the Silver Commendation Medal for Combat, the War Medal, the Gold Medal of Merit for Combat, the Independence Medal, the Syrian Order of Merit, the German Iron Cross, the German Red Eagle, and the German Sworded Cross.

On 2 April 1953, complaints were submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly’s Petitions Commission regarding certain events during the Dersim Operation. The complaints called for a legal investigation into the conduct of General Kâzım Orbay, Tunceli Governor Abdullah Alpdoğan, and Interior Minister Şükrü Kaya.

Death and Legacy

General Kâzım Orbay died in Ankara on 3 June 1964 and was buried at the Ankara State Cemetery. In recognition of his status as one of Atatürk’s comrades-in-arms, he was officially registered as an Honorary Member of the Atatürk Research Center under Law No. 2876 on the Atatürk High Council for Culture, Language, and History.