Who is Seyit Onbaşı?

🧍 Who is he?

Seyit Onbaşı is a soldier renowned for his extraordinary bravery during the Battle of Çanakkale on 18 March 1915. His real name was Seyit Ali Çabuk, and he played a decisive role in sinking an enemy ship by carrying a single artillery shell weighing 276 kilograms on his back. His strength and courage symbolize the Turkish nation’s determination in its struggle for independence.

👶 Childhood and Family

Seyit Onbaşı was born in 1889 in the village of Manastır, within the Havran district of Balıkesir. From a young age, he worked as a shepherd and supported his family. He was known for his strong physique and hardworking nature. The resilience he developed through village life played a crucial role in the heroic act that would later enter history.

⚔️ Battle of Çanakkale and Heroism

In 1915, the Ottoman State was fighting to defend the Dardanelles Strait against enemy naval forces attempting to pass through. Seyit was stationed at the Rumeli Mecidiye Tabyası defense position. During the enemy attack, the crane used to lift the artillery shell broke down.

But what did Seyit Onbaşı do?

💪 He carried the 276-kilogram artillery shell on his back!

🎯 He placed the shell into the cannon’s barrel.

💥 When fired, it struck the enemy battleship Ocean, causing it to sink!

This event changed the course of the battle. The entire world marveled at his strength and courage.

(Generated by artificial intelligence.)

🛡️ Life After the War

After the war, he returned to his village and continued to live a quiet and humble life. Although his fame grew, he always said, “I simply did my duty.”

When he passed away in 1939, he left behind a heroic legacy etched in the memory of a nation.

🧒 His Legacy for the Young

Seyit Onbaşı’s life teaches us:

- To accomplish great things, one must believe from the heart.

- In the face of hardship, one must seek solutions rather than give up.

- Defending the homeland is everyone’s responsibility.

Today, statues, museums, and books dedicated to him keep his memory alive.

🗣️ Inspirational Quote

“I did not carry the shell—I carried my homeland!”

📚 References

Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye. “Seyit Onbaşı.” Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye. Accessed 26 May 2025. https://www.ktb.gov.tr/TR-96304/seyit-onbasi.html

Gallipoli Historical Area Directorate, Battle of Çanakkale. “Seyit Onbaşı.” Accessed 26 May 2025. https://www.canakkale.gov.tr/seyit-onbasi

Atatürk Research Center. “The Battle of Çanakkale and Its Heroes.” Atam.gov.tr. Accessed 26 May 2025. https://atam.gov.tr/canakkale-kahramanlari

KÜRE Encyclopedia. “Seyit Onbaşı.” KÜRE. Accessed 26 May 2025. https://preprod.kureansiklopedi.com/tr/detay/seyit-onbasi-719301