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Third Army (Ottoman Empire)
Encyclopedia
The Ottoman Third Army was originally established in the Balkans and later defended the northern and eastern parts of the Ottoman Empire
. Its initial headquarters was at Salonica. With the onset of World War I, it moved to Erzurum
Fortress. The headquarters was moved to Susehir (town near Sivas) after the Battle of Erzurum
. While it was in the Balkans, it formed the core of the military forces that supported the Young Turk Revolution
of 1908. Many of its officers, including Enver Pasha and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
, rose to fame and power.
During the First World War, it fought against the Russian Caucasus Army, Armenian volunteer units
and behind the lines deal with the Armenian Resistance at his responsibility area. During this period, the Battle of Sarikamish, in which it suffered a crushing defeat, Battle of Koprukoy
and the Battle of Erzurum
were significant engagements. By late 1916 it was no longer an offensive power. After the Russian Revolution, the Russian Caucasus Army disintegrated. Between 1917 and 1918 it advanced against Armenian national
forces of Armenian national liberation movement established by Armenian Congress of Eastern Armenians
which became the Armenian Army
with the deceleration of Democratic Republic of Armenia
. During this period, it engaged to the Armenian Army at Sardarapat
, Abaran, and Karakilisa.
and the establishment of the Second Constitutional Era
on July 3, 1908, new government initiate a major military reform. Army headquarters were modernized. Its operational area was Western Rumelia, and it had units in Europe (Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia) and Minor Asia (Aydın). It commanded the following active divisions: The Third Army also had inspectorate functions for twelve Redif (reserve) divisions:
. The Army before the First Balkan War
in 1911 was structured as such:
Following the battle of Sarikamish, it was reduced to some 20,000 men with loss of all guns and heavy equipment.
in Erzerum in 1915. Mahmut Kamil
Paşa (February 1915 – February 1916) took the command.
In 1915 the 3rd Army was slowly brought back up to strength. In July of that year it was strong enough to win a victory against the Russians at Malazgirt. Later in the year the losses the Ottomans took at Galllipoli diverted manpower away from the 3rd Army, and it would never again reach its normal strength, and numbered 60,000 in the fall of 1915.
(February 1916–June 1918).
also: 2nd Cavalry Division, 15-20 battalions of frontier guards and gendarmes, and a few thousand Kurdish
irregular.
When the Russians launched their surprise offensive in January 1916, culminating in the Battle of Koprukoy
the army numbered 65,000 men and 100 guns. The army lost nearly 15,000 killed, wounded, for frozen, and about 5,000 prisoners. There were also about an estimated 5,000 deserters. About 20-30 guns were lost. The XI Corps took the heaviest losses, about 70% of its effective strength. The army fell back on the fortified city of Erzurum, its base.
The army could expect reinforcements from the 1st and 2nd Armies after their victory at Gallipoli, but due to the poor nature of the Ottoman railroad it was going to take time for them to reach the 3rd Army. The army numbered about 50,000 troops. The army was also short machine guns and needed more artillery to properly defend the city. Mahmut Kamil returned from leave and resumed command of the army from Abdul Kerim.
The Russians stormed the city, penetrating its outer defenses, forcing Mahumt Kamil to abandon the city and retreat to the west. The army numbered perhaps 25,000 men and 30 or 40 guns. Morale was very poor. Mahmut Kamil was replaced by Vehip Pasa. The army continued to retreat, losing Trebizond on the coast. A counter attack by the army was unable to retake the city.
In July 1916 the Russians launched another series of attacks on the 3rd Army, costing the army about 30% of its strength and leaving its morale badly shaken. By September 1916 the army was very weak and desertions were a major problem. By October there were an estimated 50,000 deserters in the rear of the army. The 3rd Army could not play any role in the Ottoman offensives planned for that fall.
(February 1916–June 1918).
The army underwent a major reorganization at the winter of 1916. At the turn of 1917, it was reorganized as follows:
Over the winter of 1916-1917, the Russian Revolution effectively stopped the Russian Army in its tracks, and eventually caused the Russian Army in the Caucasus to melt away. The army later advanced and recaptured in 1917 and 1918 all that it had lost, and even advanced to Kars, lost to the Russians in 1877.
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
. Its initial headquarters was at Salonica. With the onset of World War I, it moved to Erzurum
Erzurum
Erzurum is a city in Turkey. It is the largest city, the capital of Erzurum Province. The city is situated 1757 meters above sea level. Erzurum had a population of 361,235 in the 2000 census. .Erzurum, known as "The Rock" in NATO code, served as NATO's southeastern-most air force post during the...
Fortress. The headquarters was moved to Susehir (town near Sivas) after the Battle of Erzurum
Battle of Erzurum
The Battle of Erzurum is the name of several battles throughout history that have been fought over control of Erzurum in western Turkey. Among the most notable were:* Battle of Erzurum - Byzantine cavalry defeats Muslims during the Byzantine-Muslim Wars...
. While it was in the Balkans, it formed the core of the military forces that supported the Young Turk Revolution
Young Turk Revolution
The Young Turk Revolution of 1908 reversed the suspension of the Ottoman parliament by Sultan Abdul Hamid II, marking the onset of the Second Constitutional Era...
of 1908. Many of its officers, including Enver Pasha and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was an Ottoman and Turkish army officer, revolutionary statesman, writer, and the first President of Turkey. He is credited with being the founder of the Republic of Turkey....
, rose to fame and power.
During the First World War, it fought against the Russian Caucasus Army, Armenian volunteer units
Armenian volunteer units
Armenian volunteer units, also known the Armenian volunteer corps were Armenian battalions in Russian and British armies during the World War I. Majority of these units support the military activities at the Middle Eastern theatre of World War I. The origin of these units were varied. Some units...
and behind the lines deal with the Armenian Resistance at his responsibility area. During this period, the Battle of Sarikamish, in which it suffered a crushing defeat, Battle of Koprukoy
Battle of Koprukoy
The Battle of Koprukoy was part of the Caucasus Campaign during World War I between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire, and occurred as the Russians were advancing to Erzurum. The Russians achieved total surprise and broke through the Ottoman defenses, sending the Third Army retreating...
and the Battle of Erzurum
Battle of Erzurum
The Battle of Erzurum is the name of several battles throughout history that have been fought over control of Erzurum in western Turkey. Among the most notable were:* Battle of Erzurum - Byzantine cavalry defeats Muslims during the Byzantine-Muslim Wars...
were significant engagements. By late 1916 it was no longer an offensive power. After the Russian Revolution, the Russian Caucasus Army disintegrated. Between 1917 and 1918 it advanced against Armenian national
Armenian nationalism
Armenian nationalism in the modern period has its roots in the romantic nationalism of Mikayel Chamchian and generally defined as the creation of a free, independent and united Armenia formulated as the Armenian Cause . Armenian national awakening developed in the 1880s in the context of the...
forces of Armenian national liberation movement established by Armenian Congress of Eastern Armenians
Armenian Congress of Eastern Armenians
The Armenian Congress of Eastern Armenians was established in October 1917. It united the Armenian National Councils all around the Russian Armenia....
which became the Armenian Army
Armenian Army
The Armenian Army is the largest branch of the Armed Forces of Armenia and consists of the ground forces responsible for the country's land-based operations. It was established in conjunction with the other components of Armenia's military on January 28, 1992, several months after the republic...
with the deceleration of Democratic Republic of Armenia
Democratic Republic of Armenia
The Democratic Republic of Armenia was the first modern establishment of an Armenian state...
. During this period, it engaged to the Armenian Army at Sardarapat
Battle of Sardarapat
The Battle of Sardarabad or Battle of Sardarapat was a battle of the Caucasus Campaign of World War I that took place near Sardarabad , Armenia from May 21-29, 1918...
, Abaran, and Karakilisa.
Order of Battle, 1908
After the Young Turk RevolutionYoung Turk Revolution
The Young Turk Revolution of 1908 reversed the suspension of the Ottoman parliament by Sultan Abdul Hamid II, marking the onset of the Second Constitutional Era...
and the establishment of the Second Constitutional Era
Second Constitutional Era (Ottoman Empire)
The Second Constitutional Era of the Ottoman Empire began shortly after Sultan Abdülhamid II restored the constitutional monarchy after the 1908 Young Turk Revolution. The period established many political groups...
on July 3, 1908, new government initiate a major military reform. Army headquarters were modernized. Its operational area was Western Rumelia, and it had units in Europe (Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia) and Minor Asia (Aydın). It commanded the following active divisions: The Third Army also had inspectorate functions for twelve Redif (reserve) divisions:
- Third Army
- 5th Infantry Division (Beşinci Fırka)
- 6th Infantry Division (Altıncı Fırka)
- 17th Infantry Division (On Yedinci Fırka)
- 18th Infantry Division (On Sekizinci Fırka)
- 3rd Cavalry Division (Üçüncü Süvari Fırkası)
- Fortress Artillery Battalion x 4
- Redif divisions of the Third Army (name of the division denotes its location)
- 9th MonastirBitolaBitola is a city in the southwestern part of the Republic of Macedonia. The city is an administrative, cultural, industrial, commercial, and educational centre. It is located in the southern part of the Pelagonia valley, surrounded by the Baba and Nidže mountains, 14 km north of the...
Reserve Infantry Division (Dokuzuncu Manastır Redif Fırkası) - 10th KöprülüVelesVeles may refer to:*Veles , Slavic deity*Veles , in the Republic of Macedonia*Veles municipality, in the Republic of Macedonia*Veles, singular of velites, a class of infantry in the early Roman Republic...
Reserve Infantry Division (Onuncu Köprülü Redif Fırkası) - 11th SalonikaThessalonikiThessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...
Reserve Infantry Division (On Birinci Selânik Redif Fırkası) - 12th AydınAydinAydın is a city in and the seat of Aydın Province in Turkey's Aegean Region. The city is located at the heart of the lower valley of Büyük Menderes River at a commanding position for the region extending from the uplands of the valley down to the seacoast...
Reserve Infantry Division (On İkinci Aydın Redif Fırkası) - 28th Üsküp Reserve Infantry Division (Yirmi Sekizinci Üsküp Redif Fırkası)
- 29th PirştinePristinaPristina, also spelled Prishtina and Priština is the capital and largest city of Kosovo. It is the administrative centre of the homonymous municipality and district....
Reserve Infantry Division (Yirmi Dokuzuncu Pirştine Redif Fırkası) - 30th PirzerinPrizrenPrizren is a historical city located in southern Kosovo. It is the administrative center of the eponymous municipality and district.The city has a population of around 131,247 , mostly Albanians...
Reserve Infantry Division (Otuzuncu Pirzerin Redif Fırkası) - 31st SerezSerresSerres is a city in Greece, seat of the Serres prefecture.Serres may also refer to:Places:* Serres, Germany, a part of Wiernsheim in Baden-WürttembergIn France:* Serres, Aude in the Aude département...
Reserve Infantry Division (Otuz Birinci Serez Redif Fırkası) - 32nd BeratBeratBerat is a town located in south-central Albania. As of 2009, the town has an estimated population of around 71,000 people. It is the capital of both the District of Berat and the larger County of Berat...
Reserve Infantry Division (Otuz İkinci Berat Redif Fırkası) - 33rd GörüceKorçëKorçë is a city in southeastern Albania and the capital of the Korçë District. It has a population of around 105,000 people , making it the sixth largest city in Albania...
Reserve Infantry Division (Otuz Üçüncü Görüce Redif Fırkası) - 34th Debre-i BalaDebarDebar is a city in the western part of the Republic of Macedonia, near the border with Albania, on the road from Struga to Gostivar. It is the seat of Debar Municipality.-Geography:...
Reserve Infantry Division (Otuz Dördüncü Debre-i Bala Redif Fırkası) - 54th GevgiliGevgelijaGevgelija is a town with a population of 15,685 located in the very southeast of the Republic of Macedonia along the banks of the Vardar River, situated at the country's main border with Greece , the point which links the motorway from Skopje and three other former Yugoslav capitals with...
Reserve Infantry Division (Elli Dördüncü Gevgili Redif Fırkası)
- 9th Monastir
Order of Battle, 1911
With further reorganizations of the Ottoman Army, to include the creation of corps level headquarters, by 1911 the Army was headquartered in ErzincanErzincan
-Trivia:Erzincan has the largest man made of Portrait of Atatürk, located north of the city, 176m×43m. It covers 7,500 square meter. Turkish Army made it 1982, in 29 days by 3,000 soldier, 100 tons of black and white paint was used...
. The Army before the First Balkan War
First Balkan War
The First Balkan War, which lasted from October 1912 to May 1913, pitted the Balkan League against the Ottoman Empire. The combined armies of the Balkan states overcame the numerically inferior and strategically disadvantaged Ottoman armies and achieved rapid success...
in 1911 was structured as such:
- Army Headquarters, ErzincanErzincan-Trivia:Erzincan has the largest man made of Portrait of Atatürk, located north of the city, 176m×43m. It covers 7,500 square meter. Turkish Army made it 1982, in 29 days by 3,000 soldier, 100 tons of black and white paint was used...
- IX CorpsIX Corps (Ottoman Empire)The IX Corps of the Ottoman Empire was one of the corps of the Ottoman Army. It was formed in the early 20th century during Ottoman military reforms.-Order of Battle, 1911 :...
, ErzurumErzurumErzurum is a city in Turkey. It is the largest city, the capital of Erzurum Province. The city is situated 1757 meters above sea level. Erzurum had a population of 361,235 in the 2000 census. .Erzurum, known as "The Rock" in NATO code, served as NATO's southeastern-most air force post during the...
- 28th Infantry Division, Erzurum
- 29th Infantry Division, BayburtBayburtBayburt is a city in northeast Turkey lying on the Çoruh River, and is the provincial capital of Turkey's Bayburt Province.Bayburt was once an important center on the ancient Silk Road and it was visited by Marco Polo and Turkish excursionist Evliya Celebi. Remains of its Byzantine castle still...
- X CorpsX Corps (Ottoman Empire)The X Corps of the Ottoman Empire was one of the corps of the Ottoman Army. It was formed in the early 20th century during Ottoman military reforms.- Order of Battle, 1911 :...
, Erzincan- 30th Infantry Division, Erzincan
- 31st Infantry Division, Erzincan
- 32nd Infantry Division, Mamuret'ül AzizElazigElâzığ is a city in Eastern Anatolia, Turkey and the seat of Elâzığ Province. It has a population of331,479 according to the 2010 census, and the plain on which the city extends has an altitude of 1067 metres....
- XI CorpsXI Corps (Ottoman Empire)The XI Corps of the Ottoman Empire was one of the corps of the Ottoman Army. It was formed in the early 20th century during Ottoman military reforms.- Formation :...
, VanVan, TurkeyVan is a city in southeastern Turkey and the seat of the Kurdish-majority Van Province, and is located on the eastern shore of Lake Van. The city's official population in 2010 was 367,419, but many estimates put this as much higher with a 1996 estimate stating 500,000 and former Mayor Burhan...
- 33rd Infantry Division, Van
- 34th Infantry Division, Muş
- 1st Tribal Cavalry Division, Erzurum
- 39th Cavalry Regiment, Eruzurum
- 1st Tribal Cavalry Regiment, Erzurum
- 2nd Tribal Cavalry Regiment, KiğıKiğıKiğı is a town and district of Bingöl Province in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey. The mayor is Coşkun Güven .The district has a population of 3.188 out of which 1.604 live in the town of Kiğı.-External links:*...
- 3rd Tribal Cavalry Regiment, VartoVartoVarto is a town in eastern Turkey occupied primarily by Kurdish people.Varto was the site of a major fighting during the Sheikh Said rebellion in 1924, and the 1966 earthquake that killed nearly 3,000 people....
- 4th Tribal Cavalry Regiment, HınısHinisHınıs is a town and district of Erzurum Province in the Eastern Anatolia Region region of Turkey. The mayor is Enver Taçyıldız . The population is 9,792 ....
- 5th Tribal Cavalry Regiment, Hasankale
- 6th Tribal Cavalry Regiment, Sivas
- 2nd Tribal Cavalry Division, Kara KiliseAgriAgri may refer to:* As shorthand or prefix referring to agriculture* Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development * Azerbaijan–Georgia–Romania Interconnector * Ağrı, a city in eastern Turkey* the Agri in southern Italy...
- 24th Cavalry Regiment, Kara Kilise
- 7th Tribal Cavalry Regiment, Eleşkirt
- 8th Tribal Cavalry Regiment, Kara Kilise
- 9th Tribal Cavalry Regiment, Kara Kilise
- 10th Tribal Cavalry Regiment, Kara Kilise
- 11th Tribal Cavalry Regiment, Kara Kilise
- 12th Tribal Cavalry Regiment, Tutak
- 13th Tribal Cavalry Regiment, DiyadinDiyadinDiyadin is a district of Ağrı Province of Turkey, at the foot of Mount Tendürek, a high peak in the Aladağlar range that stands between Ağrı and the north shore of Lake Van...
- 14th Tribal Cavalry Regiment, Beyazıt
- 3rd Tribal Cavalry Division, ErdişErcisErcis may refer to:* Erciş, a district of Van province in the east of Turkey* European Research Center for Information Systems...
- 25th Cavalry Regiment, Erdiş
- 15th Tribal Cavalry Regiment, KopBulanikBulanık is a town and district of Muş Province in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey. The current mayor is Ziya Akkaya . He is under governor Ferit Görükmez Kaymakamı....
- 16th Tribal Cavalry Regiment, Erdiş
- 17th Tribal Cavalry Regiment, Erdiş
- 18th Tribal Cavalry Regiment, Saray
- 19th Tribal Cavalry Regiment, BaşkaleBaskaleBaşkale is a town and district located in south-eastern Turkey in Van Province. There is one municipality in the Başkale district, the town centre, which was established 1937...
- 4th Tribal Cavalry Division, MardinMardinMardin is a city in southeastern Turkey. The capital of Mardin Province, it is known for its Arabic-like architecture, and for its strategic location on a rocky mountain overlooking the plains of northern Syria.-History:...
- 20th Cavalry Regiment, Mardin
- 20th Tribal Cavalry Regiment, Cezire-i İbn-i ÖmerCizreCizre is a town and district of Şırnak Province in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey, located at the border to Syria, just to the north-west of the Turkish-Syrian-Iraqi tripoint....
- 21st Tribal Cavalry Regiment, Mardin
- 22nd Tribal Cavalry Regiment, Mardin
- 23rd Tribal Cavalry Regiment, ViranşehirViransehirViranşehir is a market town serving a cotton-growing area of Şanlıurfa Province, in southeastern Turkey, 93 km east of Şanlıurfa city and 53 km north-west of the Syrian border at Ceylanpınar...
- 24th Tribal Cavalry Regiment, SiverekSiverekSiverek is a town and district in the south-east of Turkey, in Şanlıurfa Province. Population 107,634 ; 247,000 .Siverek is in Şanlıurfa province but closer geographically to the large city of Diyarbakır...
Order of Battle, 1914
The acting commander Hasan Izzet Pasha (October–December 1914) and Enver Pasha (December 1914–January 1915). Prior to Sarikamish, the Army consisted of 118,660 troops in the following units and commanders:- IX CorpsIX Corps (Ottoman Empire)The IX Corps of the Ottoman Empire was one of the corps of the Ottoman Army. It was formed in the early 20th century during Ottoman military reforms.-Order of Battle, 1911 :...
- Mustafa Fevzi PashaFevzi ÇakmakMustafa Fevzi Çakmak was a Turkish soldier , politician. Minister of War of the Ottoman Empire, National Defence Minister, Prime minister of Ankara government, the second Chief of the General Staff of the Army of the Grand National Assembly and the first Chief of the General Staff of the Republic of...
- 17th Infantry Division
- 28th Infantry Division
- 29th Infantry Division
- X CorpsX Corps (Ottoman Empire)The X Corps of the Ottoman Empire was one of the corps of the Ottoman Army. It was formed in the early 20th century during Ottoman military reforms.- Order of Battle, 1911 :...
- Hafiz Hakki Pasha- 30th Infantry Division
- 31st Infantry Division
- 32nd Infantry Division
- XI CorpsX Corps (Ottoman Empire)The X Corps of the Ottoman Empire was one of the corps of the Ottoman Army. It was formed in the early 20th century during Ottoman military reforms.- Order of Battle, 1911 :...
- Abdulkerim PashaKerim PashaAbdul Kerim Pasha , also known as Abdülkerim Öpelimi, was an Ottoman commander on the Caucasus front of World War I....
- 18th Infantry Division
- 33rd Infantry Division
- 34th Infantry Division
- 2nd Cavalry Brigade
- Van Cavalry Brigade
Following the battle of Sarikamish, it was reduced to some 20,000 men with loss of all guns and heavy equipment.
Order of Battle, 1915
The acting commander Hafiz Hakki Pasha (January 12 – February 1915) died of typhusTyphus
Epidemic typhus is a form of typhus so named because the disease often causes epidemics following wars and natural disasters...
in Erzerum in 1915. Mahmut Kamil
Mahmut Kamil
Mahmud Kâmil Pasha was a general of the Ottoman Army.On 22 December 1914, he was appointed as the commander of the Second Army...
Paşa (February 1915 – February 1916) took the command.
In 1915 the 3rd Army was slowly brought back up to strength. In July of that year it was strong enough to win a victory against the Russians at Malazgirt. Later in the year the losses the Ottomans took at Galllipoli diverted manpower away from the 3rd Army, and it would never again reach its normal strength, and numbered 60,000 in the fall of 1915.
Order of Battle, 1916
The acting commander Vehip PashaMehmet Vehib Kaçi
Vehib Pasha also known as Wehib Pasha, Vehip Pasha, Mehmed Wehib Pasha, Mehmet Vehip Pasha , was a general in the Ottoman Army. He fought in the Balkan Wars and in several theatres of World War I...
(February 1916–June 1918).
- IX CorpsIX Corps (Ottoman Empire)The IX Corps of the Ottoman Empire was one of the corps of the Ottoman Army. It was formed in the early 20th century during Ottoman military reforms.-Order of Battle, 1911 :...
- 17th Infantry Division
- 28th Infantry Division
- 29th Infantry Division
- X CorpsX Corps (Ottoman Empire)The X Corps of the Ottoman Empire was one of the corps of the Ottoman Army. It was formed in the early 20th century during Ottoman military reforms.- Order of Battle, 1911 :...
- 30th Infantry Division
- 31st Infantry Division
- 32nd Infantry Division
- XI CorpsXI Corps (Ottoman Empire)The XI Corps of the Ottoman Empire was one of the corps of the Ottoman Army. It was formed in the early 20th century during Ottoman military reforms.- Formation :...
- 18th Infantry Division
- 33rd Infantry Division
- 34th Infantry Division
- 36th Infantry Division
- 37th Infantry Division
also: 2nd Cavalry Division, 15-20 battalions of frontier guards and gendarmes, and a few thousand Kurdish
Kurdish people
The Kurdish people, or Kurds , are an Iranian people native to the Middle East, mostly inhabiting a region known as Kurdistan, which includes adjacent parts of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey...
irregular.
When the Russians launched their surprise offensive in January 1916, culminating in the Battle of Koprukoy
Battle of Koprukoy
The Battle of Koprukoy was part of the Caucasus Campaign during World War I between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire, and occurred as the Russians were advancing to Erzurum. The Russians achieved total surprise and broke through the Ottoman defenses, sending the Third Army retreating...
the army numbered 65,000 men and 100 guns. The army lost nearly 15,000 killed, wounded, for frozen, and about 5,000 prisoners. There were also about an estimated 5,000 deserters. About 20-30 guns were lost. The XI Corps took the heaviest losses, about 70% of its effective strength. The army fell back on the fortified city of Erzurum, its base.
The army could expect reinforcements from the 1st and 2nd Armies after their victory at Gallipoli, but due to the poor nature of the Ottoman railroad it was going to take time for them to reach the 3rd Army. The army numbered about 50,000 troops. The army was also short machine guns and needed more artillery to properly defend the city. Mahmut Kamil returned from leave and resumed command of the army from Abdul Kerim.
The Russians stormed the city, penetrating its outer defenses, forcing Mahumt Kamil to abandon the city and retreat to the west. The army numbered perhaps 25,000 men and 30 or 40 guns. Morale was very poor. Mahmut Kamil was replaced by Vehip Pasa. The army continued to retreat, losing Trebizond on the coast. A counter attack by the army was unable to retake the city.
In July 1916 the Russians launched another series of attacks on the 3rd Army, costing the army about 30% of its strength and leaving its morale badly shaken. By September 1916 the army was very weak and desertions were a major problem. By October there were an estimated 50,000 deserters in the rear of the army. The 3rd Army could not play any role in the Ottoman offensives planned for that fall.
Order of Battle, 1917
The acting commander Vehib PashaMehmet Vehib Kaçi
Vehib Pasha also known as Wehib Pasha, Vehip Pasha, Mehmed Wehib Pasha, Mehmet Vehip Pasha , was a general in the Ottoman Army. He fought in the Balkan Wars and in several theatres of World War I...
(February 1916–June 1918).
The army underwent a major reorganization at the winter of 1916. At the turn of 1917, it was reorganized as follows:
- I Caucasian CorpsI Caucasian Corps (Ottoman Empire)The I Caucasian Corps of the Ottoman Empire was one of the corps of the Ottoman Army...
- 9th Caucasian Division
- 10th Caucasian Division
- 36th Caucasian Division
- II Caucasian corpsII Caucasian Corps (Ottoman Empire)The II Caucasian Corps of the Ottoman Empire was one of the corps of the Ottoman Army...
- 5th Caucasian Division
- 11th Caucasian Division
- 37th Caucasian Division
Over the winter of 1916-1917, the Russian Revolution effectively stopped the Russian Army in its tracks, and eventually caused the Russian Army in the Caucasus to melt away. The army later advanced and recaptured in 1917 and 1918 all that it had lost, and even advanced to Kars, lost to the Russians in 1877.