19th Infantry Division (Ottoman Empire)

The 19th Infantry Division was a formation of the Ottoman Army, during the Balkan Wars and the First World War. It was one of the many divisions within the Ottoman Army and played a role in various battles, particularly against the Allied forces.

Key Details

• Formation & Structure: The 9th Infantry Division was part of the Ottoman Army's larger corps structure. Like other Ottoman divisions, it consisted of three infantry regiments along with supporting artillery and auxiliary units.
• World War I Service: It was engaged in several campaigns during the war, most notably on the Gallipoli Front in 1915, where Ottoman forces successfully defended the Dardanelles against the British Empire and ANZAC troops.
• Commanders: The division was led by Ottoman officers, some of whom had received training in European military academies. These commanders played crucial roles in defending strategic positions.
• Later Fate: Like many Ottoman military units, the 9th Infantry Division was eventually disbanded following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire and the signing of the Armistice of Mudros in 1918.

Formation

Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Mustafa Kemal ^[1]

• 57th Regiment: Major Hüseyin Avni ^[1]
  • 1st Battalion Captain Ahmet Zeki
  • 2nd Battalion Captain Ata
  • 3rd Battalion Captain Hayri
• 72nd Regiment: Major Mehmet Münir ^[1]
• 77th Regiment: Major Saip ^[1]
• 39th Artillery Regiment: Major Halil Galib (Tekaki) ^[1]

The 18th and 27th Regiments were also assigned to the division later in the Gallipoli campaign. ^[2]

References

1. Uyar, Mesut (2015). The Ottoman Defence Against The Anzac Landing. Australian Army Campaigns. Vol. 16. Newport, NSW: Big Sky. pp. 53, 76. ISBN   978-1-925275-01-8.
2. Broadbent, Harvey (2015). Defending Gallipoli: The Turkish Story. St. Leonards, New South Wales: Melbourne University Publishing. p. 170. ISBN   978-0-52286-457-1.