38th Infantry Division (Ottoman Empire)

38th Infantry Division
Active	1914-1918
Country	Ottoman Empire
Allegiance	Ottoman Army
Branch	Ottoman Army
Type	Infantry
Part of	3rd Army (initially) 9th Army
Garrison/HQ	Tercan , Erzurum, Refahiye , Erzincan
Engagements	World War I Caucasus Campaign Battle of Sarikamish Erzurum Offensive (1916)
Commanders
Notable commanders	Kaymakam (Lieutenant Colonel) Ahmet Fikri Bey (1915–1916) Miralay (Colonel) Mustafa Ragıp Bey (1917)

The 38th Infantry Division was an infantry division of the Ottoman Empire. It served primarily on the Caucasus Campaign against the Russian Empire during World War I. ^[1]

Formation and Organization

The division was established in late 1914 as part of the reorganization of the Ottoman land forces. ^[2] It was initially assigned to the 3rd Army and later transferred to the 9th Army. ^[1]

Division Structure (1916)

• 112th Infantry Regiment
• 113th Infantry Regiment
• 114th Infantry Regiment
• 38th Division Artillery Battalion
• Ammunition and supply units ^[1]

Caucasus Campaign and Engagements

Between 1915 and 1917, the 38th Infantry Division participated in several key battles on the Caucasus front. It was among the units that suffered heavy losses following the Battle of Sarikamish. ^[3] In 1916, the division was tasked with defending the Erzurum line during the Erzurum Offensive (1916) and was deployed to delay the Russian advance around Tercan, Erzincan, and Refahiye. ^[1]

During the harsh winter of 1916–1917, the division faced severe hardships due to both weather conditions and logistical deficiencies. ^[4] It entrenched along the Bayburt–Erzincan line and attempted to maintain order during the retreat. Following the October Revolution in Russia in 1917, fighting on the front diminished and the division was reorganized. ^[1]

Commanders

• Kaymakam (Lieutenant Colonel) Ahmet Fikri Bey – 1915–1916
• Miralay (Colonel) Mustafa Ragıp Bey – 1917 ^[5]

Post-war

After the signing of the Armistice of Mudros in 1918, the division was officially disbanded. Its personnel were demobilized and its equipment handed over. Some officers and soldiers joined local militia forces and continued their activities. ^[1]

References

1. Erickson, Edward J. (2001). Ordered to Die: A History of the Ottoman Army in the First World War. Greenwood Press. pp. 72–75. ISBN   9780313315169.
2. "Documents of the Directorate of Military History and Strategic Studies". Turkish General Staff. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
3. "Battle Reports of Sarikamish". ATASE. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
4. "Eastern Front Winter Reports 1916". ATASE. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
5. "Command Structure in the Ottoman Army (1914–1918)". ATASE. Retrieved 15 May 2025.