The Ghazi

Mustafa
Kemal
ATATÜRK
I Know
(1881 -
193∞ )
I became acquainted with the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk during a year-
long stint (1983 – 84) in the U.S. Navy at the intelligence gathering post of Sinop. It was then I first noticed
framed photos of Turkey’s founder on the walls of homes, restaurants and official buildings as well as busts
in school playgrounds and town squares, but didn’t wonder a great deal about him. When I returned to
Turkey as a tourist in 1989, Atatürk was still quite prominent, but I really only got familiar with him once I
began translating a coffee-table book entitled ‘Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’ into English for the publisher İlhan
Akşit to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Republic in 1998. That same year, the owner of the Pera Palas
Hotel, Hasan Süzer introduced me to Atatürk’s adopted daughter, Mrs. Ülkü Adatepe. It was also this time
when I learned of the ‘Cape Cod’s record-breaking long-distance flight from New York to Istanbul in the
summer of 1931. I also met Erdal İnönü, the younger son of Atatürk’s comrade-in-arms, İsmet İnönü, at the
opening of the D&R bookshop at Profilo Mall in Mecidiyeköy in 1998.
I was introduced to Sabiha Gökçen through THK’s (Turkish Aeronautical Association) chief librarian, Mrs.
Yıldız Atalay, shortly after I began to delve into the field of Turkish aviation history in 1999. Inspired by
Gökçen, who incidentally is not mentioned in world literature about aviatrixes, as well as the Boardman –
Polando flight of 1931, I sought sponsorship and began compiling material for a book entitled A Chronicle of
Turkish Aviation. After a mere 18 months of preparation, this landmark 560-page work was published in
Turkish and English in late-2002. A few months after the book was launched, I met the acquaintance of 97-
year old Seyfettin Yağız, who was employed in Atatürk’s service at Dolmabahçe Palace through Salih Bozok
from 1 July 1927, until January, 1939.
It was during 2003 that Mrs. Ülkü Adatepe commissioned the late-İ.Gürşen Kafkas to write a book about her
childhood with Atatürk entitled Atatürk’le Çocukluğum. I subsequently translated this work into English,
added some archival material and did the final edit. This book was published privately on more than one
occasion.
I arranged to bring together Mrs. Ülkü Adatepe and Mr. Yağız for the first time since Atatürk’s passing 65
years earlier at an event organized by Bahçeşehir Municipality on 10 November, 2003. I then went on to
organize my first major aviation history exhibit with the assistance of Şerif Antepli’s ‘Collection Club,’ a group
of researchers, writers and collectors, at 2001 Koleji in Yeşilköy, Istanbul in March, 2004.

.
The opening of this exhibit was attended by Mr. and Mrs. Adatepe as well as the late-Erdal İnönü. While they
attended an aviation exhibit I organized at Beylikdüzü Migros Mall the following year, the Adatepes were also
on hand at the opening of the “Atatürk & Aviation” exhibit held at Dolmabahçe Palace Medhal Hall in
December, 2005. I maintained my interest in Turkish aviation history when I teamed up with Gökhan Sarıgöl
and Kıvanç Hürtürk to produce a landmark three-year study entitled Türkiye’de Ticari Havacılık Tarihi 1909 -
1967 in 2009.
Today, the Turkish Republic is under serious threat, and many of those living in the country feel their entire
way of life is undergoing irreversible social, democratic and cultural erosion. The Atatürk Çiftlik Ormanı is a
more shadow of its former self, with a major portion sold to the American Government. The very property
of Atatürk’s final resting place, Anıtkabir, is threatened by deliberate intent of commercial and residential
development. There hasn’t been a cultural event organized at the Atatürk Culture Center in Taksim in over a
decade. Forests and reservoirs have been deliberately cleared and emptied for a new, unnecessary airport
just so Turkey’s oldest such facility, Atatürk International Airport is to be shut down forever. There doesn’t
seem to be a day that Atatürk statues and busts are not being attacked or torn down in Turkey even though
Atatürk’s greatness continues to be revered in many countries throughout the world. Laws no longer favor
wronged citizens. Press freedoms in the country are no longer unfettered. National holidays such as National
Sovereignty and Children’s Holiday (23 April), Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day (19 May),
Victory Day (30 August) and Republic Day (29 October), which were established during the early years of the
Republic, are no longer being celebrated as state holidays. Turkey no longer maintains peaceful relations
with its neighbors.
It is precisely for these reasons that I have decided to compile such a work, one that clearly shows how
Atatürk embraced his people and the very essence of Western life, as he battled to pay off Ottoman debt
and dealt with the collapsed global economy in the 1930’s. Atatürk peered into the future and accurately
envisioned the conjuncture of the geopolitical outlook through to the 1950’s. He was not without faults and
he had a few weaknesses, but he inspired his people to do great things in battle and during the subsequent
peaceful era. He sent bright students to complete their education in Europe and return to Turkey to lead this
country out of its apathy. Women were encouraged to make the most of their lives by becoming aviatrixes,
beauty queens, parliamentarians, teachers, stage and film actresses, singers…
One thing is for certain, not all history is etched in eternal stone or newsprint. For instance, the fact that
Atatürk’s participation at the unveiling of his bust at the Eskişehir Aviation School Command on 9 June, 1936
is not mentioned in Gültekin Elibal’s book, Atatürk ve Resim Heykel (İş Bankası 1973). Moreover, although
there is no clear evidence Atatürk actually ever penned the following words, “Unquestionably, aircraft shall
be the most effective vehicles of the future. One day, Mankind shall walk in the skies without aircraft, travel
to the planets and maybe send us messages from the Moon. We shall not have to wait until the new
millennium for these miracles to occur. Today’s emerging technologies are already heralding the imminent
good news. It is our duty to ensure that we do not remain very far behind the West in these matters,” they
were published in Oktay Verel’s 1982 book about Sabiha Gökçen entitled Atatürk’ün İzinde Bir Ömür Böyle
Geçti and provided to this author by the Anıtkabir Command’s Historical Office in 2000.
Another puzzling matter concerns the record-breaking American aviators Boardman and Polando, who
apparently never informed Atatürk about the chief aeronautical engineer at the Bellanca factory was in fact
a Tatar Turk named İlyas İslamzade (Ilia İslamoff), whose mother had lived in Istanbul as recently as 1926,
had even sent the fliers a congratulatory telegram upon their triumphant arrival in the city. We only learn of
Islamzade’s position at Bellanca when Yunus Nadi published a letter he wrote to Cumhuriyet four months
after the flight. In his letter, İslamzade mentioned that he was quite familiar the two pilots and that he
planned to join them on their historical flight to Istanbul, with his mother interceding at the last minute, due
to his elder brother Yakup’s death in an attempt to fly from New York to Paris in 1926.
An even more perplexing quirk surrounds a dreadful accident witnessed by Atatürk at the 1910 Picardie
Maneuvers that he recalled 24 years later. It is rather intriguing his recollection does not correlate with
information found online. Another point of debate concerns his solitary, brief 30-minute visit to the
American-operated Kayseri Aircraft Factory (Monday 5 February, 1934) as well as the apparent lack of such a
visit to the Nuri Demirağ Aircraft Factory in Beşiktaş, activity at which had commenced around 1937. This,
despite the fact Atatürk paid a visit to the Merinos Linen Factory in Bursa on 2 February, 1938, which was
built by Nuri Demirağ.
While a myriad of coffee-table books have been published about Atatürk, the precedent of which was
produced by Cumhuriyet photo-journalist ‘Foto’ Cemal Işıksel in 1969, this album caters to both casual
readers and researchers alike, with many previously unpublished photographs and documents.
"Writing history is as important as making history. If the writer does not remain faithful to it, the
invariable truth will assume a character that is bound to bewilder humanity."- These words of
Ataturk date to 1931. History most definitely be researched and shared without any
expectations. This task falls upon those who research history and historical events inquisitively,
and those who meticulously store historical documents in their collections.
 I had the
pleasure of
meeting the last
three members
of Atatürk’s
closest circle,
‘Little’ Ülkü
(1932 – 2012),
Sabiha Gökçen
(1913 – 2001)
and Seyfettin
Yağız (behind
Makbule
Hanım)(1906 –
2009). This
photo was taken
aboard the
Ertuğrul Yacht 80
years ago.
(1937)
In this photo, Little Ülkü is teaching Atatürk
how to send an E-mail 
Atatürk sent his final telegram, the e-mail of his time and the most common form of
written communication back then, to Ülkü, waiting for him in Ankara. He wrote, “I
also congratulate you on your holiday. I kiss your eyes.” (30.10.1938) (Harbiye
Military Museum – Atatürk Hall)
 This photo of Atatürk and his adopted daughter Ülkü was taken at Florya Atatürk
Seaside Pavilion and was from a March of Time film called ‘Turkey Reborn,’ produced
by documentary filmmaker Julien Bryan. It was viewed by U.S. President Franklin
Roosevelt at the White House in 1937.
An aerial view of the modest Florya Seaside Pavilion that Atatürk had
built. (late-1930’s)
Atatürk Florya Seaside Pavilion (from left to right) Atatürk,
ADC Celal Üner, ‘Little’ Ülkü, Sabiha Gökçen, Salih Bozok,
Prime Minister İsmet İnönü (Stuart Kline Archive)
Atatürk, ‘Little’ Ülkü and Atatürk’s childhood
friend Nuri Conker (Stuart Kline Archive)
 Naci Toros, ‘Little’ Ülkü, Vasfiye, Sabiha and Vuslat
(3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th & 9th from left)(Stuart Kline Archive)
Ülkü autographed this
photo taken on 29
October, 1998, the day
we met at the Florya
Atatürk Deniz Köşkü
through the
acquaintance of the
late-Hasan Süzer. She
used to sit in this
specially crafted chair
whenever she came to
visit Florya with
Atatürk.
Ülkü Adatepe and I at a fundraiser held at the Pera Palace Hotel to raise
funds for the ‘Küçük’ Ülkü Elementary School in Sancaktepe. (2003)
Ülkü and I at Turkey’s first private airport, Hezarfen, Büyüşçekmece. The runway her
has since been named ‘Ülkü 1’ in honor of her flight in the oldest airworthy aircraft
in Turkey, a 1942 Boeing Stearman, behind us. (2003)
Pre-selfie days with Ülkü at the opening of the Atatürk Evi in
Avcılar, İstanbul (30.08 2003)
 I considered
Ülkü to be my
adopted
mother in
Turkey and
she
introduced me
to her friends
as her third
son. We’re at
her home
/museum in
Bomonti,
Istanbul
(2008)
 The opening of theff Atatürk and Aviation Exhibition which I organized at the 2001 Koleji Art
Gallery in Yeşilköy (left to right) me, the school owner, Mr. Hilmi Nakipoğlu, artist Mine Arasan,
and Mrs. and Mr. Ülkü and Öke Adatepe. (23 March, 2004)
The founders
of ESBAŞ, at
Gaziemir,
İzmir, Mr. &
Mrs. Kaya
Tuncer, asked
me to arrange
for Ülkü to be
their guest at
Space Camp
Turkey in July,
2003.
 “You, the Heroic Turkish
Woman! Rather than being
dragged along the ground, you
deserve to rise upon the
shoulders.”
As the world’s first military
woman pilot, Gökçen learned
to fly motorized aircraft at the
Eskişehir military flight school
in in a French Caudron C-59
trainer in 1936 (Seen at left in
Sedat Simavi’s ‘7 Gün’
magazine). Gökçen flew more
than 20 types of motorized
aircraft and gliders during her
career.
 From left to right,
Atatürk’s first
adopted daughter,
Zehra Aylin, Sabiha
(Gökçen) and
‘Küçük’ Ülkü’s
mother, Vasfiye
(Çukurluoğlu)
(ca.1931) (Stuart
Kline Archive)
Kılıç Ali, Atatürk, Sabiha Gökçen, ‘Little’ Ülkü, Nesip, and
Semiha İnanç at Yeşilköy Aerodrome (1936) (Stuart Kline
Archive)
“8.2.1936 My Dear Vasfiye, A Souvenir from
Moscow, Sabiha” (Stuart Kline Archive)
Koktebel Glider Camp – Sevastopol, Crimea – 1935, Emrullah
Ali Yıldız, Sabiha Gökçen and Mustafa İlkin
“To my Dear Makbule, Sabiha” during the Dersim
Mission of June, 1937. (Stuart Kline Archive)
 Atatürk’s adopted daughter Sabiha Gökçen descends from the cockpit of her Consolidated Vultee GBT-11
(TC-SGD), which she flew solo for a five-day (16-21 June, 1938) goodwill tour between in order to improve
relationships between the Balkan states, to show how far Turkish aviation and Turkish women had
progressed in the “New Turkey” and finally to fulfill Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s wish... (Stuart Kline Archive)
 In following a flight itinerary of Istanbul - Izmir - Athens – Salonica - Sofia - Bucharest – Istanbul, Sabiha
Gökçen met with the aviation federation representatives of these countries. Coincidentally, the King of
Romania, Carol Luccafarul arrived in Istanbul aboard his yacht for a weekend holiday and met with Atatürk
aboard the Savarona on the same day Gökçen was visiting Romania, (19 June). Although 40 units were
delivered to Turkey in 1937 and were withdrawn from use in 1948, not a single example of the Consolidated
Vultee GBT-11 light bomber exists anywhere in the world today. While the ‘SG’ in the aircraft designation
‘TC-SGD’ stood for Sabiha Gökçen, the reason for the letter ‘D’ is not clear. It is understood Gökçen (160 cm)
flew the Vultee by sitting on cushions and using blocks to reach the pedal controls.
 Examination Board was comprised of the School Commander Alb. Ihsan Esiner, Eskişehir 1st Air
Regiment Commander Alb. Mehmet Zeki Doğan, School Education Supervisor Sayın Bayraktar,
Topography Teacher, Kemal Esiner and Gökçen's primary school teacher Nüveyre Ulguç, this
examination board prepared and printed questions of Sabiha Gökçen's graduation examination.
(Stuart Kline Archive)
 "In regards to this exam, Atatürk had kept his promise he made me. In return, I have
completed the examination successfully, as he desired. Without receiving any help and
without feeling the need for any special attention." (Stuart Kline Archive)
At Yesilkoy Airport (left to right) Atatürk's ADC Celal Üner, ? Afet İnan, Istanbul
Governor Muhittin Üstündağ, Atatürk's sister, Makbule Atadan and Sabiha
Gökçen. (Stuart Kline Archive)
Sükrü Adıklı was Sabiha Gökçen’s Aircraft Mechanic at Yeşilköy Aerodrome during 1936-1937
Call Darüleceze at Kayışdağ)
 THK Chief Instructor
Sabiha Gökçen, posing
with a Focke-Wulf
FW44A trainer aircraft.
These trainers were
delivered to Turkey from
Germany with swastika
livery in 1937. These
aircraft remained in
service until the early
1960’s. (Stuart Kline
Archive)
Sabiha Gökçen, Ekim, 1937 Diyarbakır’da bulunurken, yanında
Diyarbakır Valisi Mithat Altıok. (Stuart Kline Arşivi)
 Sabiha Gökçen received the greatest award in her aviation career when as a guest of honor at the Eagles’ Meeting,
organized for the 1996 graduating class of the U.S. Air Force Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Gökçen was selected as
“One of 20 Aviators Who Etched Their Names in World History.” Gökçen was the first and only aviatrix to have been
honored to receive this award.
 Contrary to popular belief, Sabiha Gökçen was not Turkey’s first aviatrix, but rather, the
world’s first military aviatrix. The first Turkish aviatrix was Bedriye Gökmen, who soloed at
Vecihi Hürkuş’ Flying School in Kadıköy in 1933. The author is with documentary film director
Miss Gülşah Çeliker, Miss Sabiha Gökçen and THK Chief Librarian Mrs. Yıldız Atalay at Eskişehir
Türkkuşu İnönü 25.06.2000.
Sabiha Gökçen and the author at her home in Küçükesat, Ankara. (1999). She inspired the this
author to write a landmark book about Turkish aviation history entitled “Türk Havacılık
Kronolojisi,” which was published in English and Turkish in 2002, 18 months after she passed
away.
 Seyfettin Yağız (black bowtie) was employed at Dolmabahçe Palace by Atatürk’s aide, Salih Bozok on 1
July, 1927, the day Atatürk first arrived in Istanbul since he departed the city aboard a steamboat for
Samsun in May, 1919. Yağız remained a member of the palace staff until January, 1939, when according to
himself, he was ordered by Makbule Hanım to remove the Visitors Registries from the palace. Yağız did
not turn in the guest books to any state archives and deposited them in the vault of the Taksim Branch of
Ziraat Bankası.
(left to right) Vuslat Hanım, Ms. Gunzberg, Sabiha GÖKÇEN, Tevfik Bıyıklıoğlu, Pilot
Mustafa ‘Deli’ Tahir Maner, Hasan Rıza Soyak, Afet İnan, Seyfettin Yağız, Atatürk.
Yeşilköy Aerodrome, 30 August, 1937.
“I was together with Atatürk and İnönü at Yeşilköy Aerodrome. The newspapers were writing that some new
advances were imminent in aviation. Moreover, they were talking about and publishing photographs about
Western technology and new aircraft. Just then, Atatürk said noddingly to İnönü, “Pasha, you should know
we are obliged to keep our word. We shouldn’t jeopardize our future by letting foreigners take all our
money! We’re going to make our own aircraft! We’re going to make our own parachutes. We’re going to
make our own spare parts. We cannot squander the hope of the nation in vain.”
I accompanied Mr. Seyfettin Yağız in visits to the Pera Palas Hotel, Dolmabahçe Palace and the
Florya Seaside Villa. I also reunited him with ‘Little’ Ülkü at Bahçeşehir Municipality on 10
November, 2003. He claimed that he was the figure holding a hat and standing between
Atatürk and İsmet İnönü in the Taksim Monument featured behind us. This could be possible
as the monument was erected in 1928.
With Seyfettin Yağız at Florya Atatürk Deniz Köşkü in 2003. Seyfettin Bey was
quite involved with the construction of this waterside villa.
 The second President of the Republic of Turkey and Atatürk's closest comrade-in-arms, Ismet
Inönü's only daughter Mrs. Özden (Toker) and grandson of the U.S. record-setting pilot Russell
Boardman, Mr. Russell Teglas, and the author (The Pink Pavilion / Çankaya June, 2001)
The opening of an exhibition entitled ‘Atatürk and Aviation’ at the 2001 College Art Gallery located in
Yeşilköy (left to right) me, the author’s son Jonathon, Mr. Hayri İnönü and his three sons, Mr. and Mrs.
Erdal and Sevinç İnönü, the school's founder, Mr. Hilmi Nakipoğlu, 31 March, 2004)
 Secretary General, Hasan
Rıza Soyak, Atatürk was
born in his father’s house in
Ahmet Subaşı Mahallesi in
Salonica’s district of
İslahhane in December,
1881. Furnished with
belongings acquired on
permanent loan from the
Dolmabahçe and Topkapı
Palaces, the house of
Atatürk’s birthplace was
ceremoniously opened to
the public on 10 November,
1953, on the same day his
casket was transferred from
the Ethnography Museum
and laid to eternal rest at
Anıtkabir. Mustafa Kemal,
the first president of the
young Turkish Republic, was
given the name “ATATÜRK”
by the Grand National
Assembly on 24.11.1934.
(Stuart Kline Archive)
 Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s
Family Tree. "For me, as well,
some people want to say that I am
Jewish as I was born in Salonica.
Lest we forget, Napoleon was an
Italian from Corsica. But he died
went down in history as a
Frenchman and as a Frenchman.
People should work for the
community they find themselves
in.”
This family tree shows Atatürk’s
mother, Zübeyde Hanım’s side.
The father of Atatürk’s father, Ali
Rıza, who was 20 years older than
Zübeyde, was
Kızıl Hafız Ahmed, who was from
the Aydın Söke region. Ali Rıza was
a customs officer at the Passport
Bridge at Katerin, then went into
partnership with timber merchant
Cafer Efendi. It was then he
bought the three-storey house in
Salonica.
Source: Falih Rıfkı Atay The
Atatürk I Knew (Yapı Kredi 1981
pg. 12)
On 9 August, 1928, following a two-year preparation period, Mustafa Kemal announced to the
public in a speech he made from Sarayburnu that the use of the Latin alphabet would be
implemented. On 1 November the Assembly convened and decided to ban the use of Arabic
script starting from the beginning of the New Year. When in fact, the seeds for the Alphabet
Revolution were planted at least 14 years earlier, when Mustafa Kemal wrote a letter from Sofia,
Bulgaria to a lady friend of his in İstanbul, Corinne in Turkish with Latin script, in June, 1914.
"Atatürk wanted an illustration of himself
and Ülkü on the cover of Alphabet. He
ordered for the cover to be done by me.
I went straight to Eskişehir where Ülkü
was staying. When they started
investigating where Ülkü was staying,
they were suspicious of me. The police
arrested me and took me right to the
security headquarters. Eventually, I was
about to explain my job, but they didn’t
believe me. Finally, I insisted they call
Dolmabahçe and that’s what saved my
neck. I found Ülkü and made her
illustration. Then I worked on the cover
of the Alphabet as I assembled Atatürk's
painting onto the creation. İhap Hulusi
began his studies as soon as he returned
to Istanbul, quickly completing the
Alphabet as he sent it to Mustafa Kemal
through the National Assembly. The
Pasha enjoyed it. Thus, this Alphabet
emerges with a composition of the Ghazi
teaching Ülkü how to read. Source:
"Musellesten Üçgene" İhap Hulusi Görey.
Ender Merter Tür Tanıtım 1998 pg.20
Written in Ottoman-Turkish, this document is an Honorary Doctorate Diploma
presented by Istanbul University’s Literature Department to Ghazi Mustafa Kemal
Pasha in Ankara on 19 September, 1338 (1922), just over a week after he liberated
İzmir as a token of appreciation for liberating the Turkish Nation and its culture.
 “Le Kemalisme Devant
Les Allies” was the first
book written about
Atatürk. The foreword of
this 512-page work was
written in October, 1921,
the same month the
Ankara Agreement was
signed with France. It
was published in 1922, a
year before Atatürk
founded the Republic of
Turkey on 29 October,
1923. (Lucien Arkas
Library)
 Atatürk wrote a 44-page on geometry in which he created Turkish words currently used
for ‘triangle,’ ‘rectangle,’ ‘radius,’ ‘plus,’ ‘substract,’ ‘divided by,’ and ‘ratio.’ In addition to
this book, Atatürk wrote 13 other books on both military and social matters, such as
‘Medeni Bilgiler,’ ‘Karlsbad Hatıraları,’ ‘Bölüğün Muharebe Eğitimi.’
 Mustafa Kemal was one who read several books at the same time. He had hundreds of books.
However, his favorite book was a novel called Çalıkuşu by Reşat Nuri Güntekin. So much so that
he carried the book everywhere he went, occasionally opening and reading a random page from
it. It is known he read 3,994 books, but that number is closer to 5000, according to the late-
Turgut Ozakman.
ATATÜRK ON FOREIGN LANGUAGE ..
"One language means one person,
two languages means two people."
Mrs. Hilda Christianus, a German
citizen. - "My baby, Mustafa Kemal
learned German from me. He
grasped it so quickly, you’d be
surprised... – At first, we got along
with him in French. Then I taught
him German. He’d speak very little.“
Source: “Hitler’e Satılmayan
Hikayeler” Altan Deliorman-
Atatürk'ün Hayatındaki Kadınlar
ATATÜRK’S MESSAGE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE / 26 FEBRUARY, 1923
Copy of the declaration made by His Excellency the Pasha. “To the great American Nation, You have expelled
tyranny and despotism from your country. You have obtained and established your freedom and
independence after a long and bloody struggle, and you have built up a civilized, strong, democratic state
based upon the sovereignty of the people. Today, on the opposite side of the Earth is another nation that is
struggling and shedding blood for the same aim of freedom, independence and democracy. Turkey’s
detractors seek to blind your eyes to the purity and loftiness of those aims. The authors of this propaganda
are either ignorant fanatics or agents of those who are openly or secretly fighting against us to frustrate and
destroy our newly won liberty. Do not believe slanderers. Keep your hearts open to the Turkish people, who
are fighting for freedom and independence and like yourselves, are sincerely striving to become an element
of progress and justice in the world.”
 Atatürk appeared in the world
press for the first time in the
newspaper La Vie Illustree, which
covered the 1910 Picardie
Maneuvers. He was seen with his
wide cheekbones unique to the
Turkish race amongst the foreign
generals adorned with their
capes, apolletes(?) and rows of
medals on their chests. At the
time, he was 29-year old Staff
Captain Mustafa Kemal, abroad
for the first time of his life. (Onur
Okur Archive)
ATATÜRK appeared as ‘Ghazi Mustapha Kemal Pasha’ on the cover of TIME Magazine twice.
The first TIME was on 24 March, 1923 and the second TIME was on 21 February, 1927. The
portrait on the right was taken by Esat Nedim Tengziman on 30 Ağustos, 1924.
After a year-long discussion in Parliament,
Mustafa Kemal decided to bundle Turkey's
best into a ship and send it on a cruise
around Europe to promote Turkey's
modernity. Its passengers included
Parliament deputies, businessmen, high-
society ladies, a symphony orchestra, and
a composer. There was even a charismatic
artist who bore a startling resemblance to
Atatürk himself. Also on board were
sailors, cooks, tailors and stevedores. The
Dutch-built SS KARADENİZ set sail from
Istanbul on 12 June, 1926 and called on 16
ports in 12 countries, steaming 10,000
miles over a period of 86 days. The vessel
was welcomed by hundreds of thousands
of Europeans, eager to see famous Turkish
products, such as the fine İznik porcelains
adorning the shelves in the living
quarters, and woven rugs on display.
There was even a working branch of the
Republic’s first bank, İş Bankası on board.
(Stuart Kline Archive)
 ATATÜRK ON MARITIME AFFAIRS:
-“Maritime affairs must be considered
as a Turk’s greatest national ideal
whereby we must succeed in it as soon
as possible.”
Turkey’s maritime commercial capacity
increased from 26,630 gross tons to
187,556 gross tons at the start of
World War II.
Ghazi, disembarking from the steamer,
‘S.S. Karadeniz’ at Bandırma
13.06.1926.
 ATATÜRK ON AERONAUTICS AND AEROSPACE
“Unquestionably, aircraft shall be the most effective vehicles of the future. One day, Mankind
shall walk in the skies without aircraft, travel to the planets and maybe send us messages from
the Moon. We shall not have to wait until the new millennium for these miracles to occur.
Today’s emerging technologies are already heralding the imminent good news. It is our duty to
ensure that we do not remain very far behind the West in these matters.”
 ATATÜRK HAVACILIK VE UZAY BİLİMLERİ ÜZERİNE:
“Geleceğin en etkili silahı da, aracı da hiç kuşkunuz olmasın uçaklardır. Bir gün insanoğlu uçaksız da
göklerde yürüyecek, gezegenlere gidecek, belki de aydan bize mesajlar yollayacaktır. Bu mucizenin
tahakkuku için 2000 yılını beklemeye hacet kalmayacaktır. Gelişen teknoloji bize daha şimdiden bunu
müjdeliyor. Bize düşen görev ise batıdan bu konuda fazla geri kalmamayı temindir.’’ Mustafa Kemal’in
09.06.1936 yılında Eskişehir 1. Tayyare Alayında.
During a conversation he had that evening with İraqi airmen (29 October, 1934), Atatürk revealed something
of his past. “It was the year 1910 and Ali Rıza Pasha and I were invited to observe the Picardie Military
Exercises. An aerial show of newfangled aircraft was given at the end of the military exercise. Proceeding
this, it was announced that foreign officers who had participated in the exercise were invited to go up in
these machines. Just as I was headed for one of them, Ali Rıza Pasha grabbed me by the wrist and warned,
“Unfamiliar food shall either hurt your head or else your stomach.” An officer from another country went in
my place. This particular machine had made a turn in the air when it suddenly dropped from the sky. I was
spared from certain death.” Source: S. Borak – Hayat Tarih Magazine Issue 4 May 1965 pg.52
However, we learn in the Internet age a century later the Picardie Maneuvers circumstances did
not transpire the way Atatürk had explained to the Iraqi aviators in 1934. Yes, it was true that on
23 October, 1910, Captain Louis Madiot became France’s first military pilot killed in action in the
Breguet aircraft he was flying for the first time, but there was no passenger on board.
Date: 1 August, 1931. American aviators Russell Boardman (right) and John Polando (center), who set a long-
distance record when they flew non-stop from New York to Istanbul, with Atatürk in Yalova. Prime Minister
Ismet Bey (İnönü) had just decorated them with diamond-studded badges of the Turkish Aeronautical
Association. Over time, these priceless decorations were awarded to three other foreign aviators. 1. Petr
Christophorovich Mezheraup (1926), the first pilot to fly across the Black Sea; 2) Evangeline Land Lindbergh
(1929), on behalf of her son Charles Lindbergh, who completed the first flight from New York to Paris; and 3)
Jacqueline Cochran (1949), who eneded up establishing the most records in aviation, while becoming the
first aviatrix to break through the sound barrier.
 Gazi’nin Havacılarla Sohbet
Saat 18.00’de konuk havacılar arabayla köşke geldiler. Cumhurreisi Mustafa Kemal Paşa çalışma salonunda pilotları kabul
etti. Tanışmadan sonra Gazi, konuk havacıları tebrik ve takdir etti, övgü dolu sözler söyledi. Tevfik Rüştü Bey, Gazi’nin
söylediklerini Fransızca’ya çevirdi, ABD Büyükelçisi Grew de bu sözleri İngilizce’ye tercüme etti. Gazi; “Bu geziniz süresince
sizde en çok ilgi uyandıran ve sizi etkileyen olay ne oldu?” diye sorduğunda, pilotlar, “İstanbul’a gelişimiz ve inişimiz....”
dediler. Yolda kaç geçe geçirdiniz?” “İki gece. Fakat daima doğuya doğru gittiğimiz için geceler kısalıyordu. En çok altı saat
gece gördük.” Gazi, bundan sonra nereye gitmek istediklerini sordu ve ekledi: “Maksadım, yeni Türk Ulusunun başkenti
Ankara’yı görmek isteğinde olup olmadığınızı anlamak.” Konuk havacılar, şu anda gezilerinin bundan sonraki bölümü için
kesin bir kararları olmadığını, fakat en kısa zamanda Amerika’ya gitmek zorunluluğunda olduklarını açıkladılar. Gazi,
havacıların Türkiye’de ancak birkaç gün daha kalacaklarının öğrenince; “Türk ulusunun sizleri yakından görmesi, sevgilerini
istedikleri kadar göstermesi için, bu süre az değil midir?” dedi. Bu sözler havacıların çok duygulanıp, şükranlarını saygı ve
içtenlikle tekrarlamalarına vesile oldu.
NAME STENCILING CEREMONY: Venue: YEŞİLKÖY AERODROME: Date: 30 August, 1931 or 1932 - The names
of the persons, towns, districts, provinces, cities and professional associations that pledged donations to the
Turkish Aeronautical Association were stenciled onto the fuselage or tails of aircraft in front of the public,
then presented to the Turkish Army Air Force. This photograph shows clearly that Atatürk is a man of the
people. While there are no security detail officials around him, there is only one other recognizable person
in the frame, Turkish Aeronautical Association Istanbul Branch Manager, Hasan Fehmi Bey (Suerdem). While
the Dewoitine and Breguet aircraft were procured from France, the facilities seen in the background were
operated by AIR FRANCE until early 1937.
“The Future is in the Skies, because nations that are unable to protect their skies can never be sure of
their future.” Unfortunately, there is no document certifying that Gazi Mustafa Kemal Pasha actually
uttered these words at the inauguration of the Turkish Aeronautical Association (‘T.Ta.C.’ and later ‘THK’).
Date: 3 May, 1935: Mustafa Kemal Ataturk founded Turkish Bird. With this organization, the singular
objective was get the Turkish youth to sprout wings, to take to the skies, and thus to create the most
mighty resource in the defense of Turkish airspace, and again in his own words, to train 'aviator youth.'
While inaugurating Turkish Bird, Atatürk concluded his speech as follows: "Turkish children, as is the case
with every task, you will soon fill the place in aviation that awaits you in the sky, at the highest level. From
this, our true friends will be glad, and the Turkish nation will be happy." (In the photo, Chairman of the
Turkish Aeronautical Association, Ali Fuat Bulca, Lt.Col. Celal Yakal, Russian Ambassador Karahan, Atatürk,
Prime Minister İnönü, Deputy Foreign Minister Tevfik Rüştü Aras, and Transportation Minister, Ali
Çetinkaya.
 With the directive of Gazi Mustafa Kemal (Atatürk), on 20 May 1933, the State Airports
Authority, the first national organization in aviation in Turkey, was established under the
Ministry of Defense. In 1938, the existing Administration was assigned to the Ministry of Public
Works, and renamed ‘Directorate General of State Airlines.’ By the end of 1938, there were four
civil airports operating scheduled flights. Yeşilköy (Istanbul), Adana, Güvencinlik (Ankara) and
Cumaovası (Izmir). (Foto Cemal Işıksel, Etimesgut Ankara 22.05.1937)
The answer to the question "Did Atatürk
ever fly" is "Yes." While Sabiha Gökçen
provided the author a negative reply to
this question, saying “I never received
permission from the General Staff to take
Atatürk on a flight,” according to Mr.
Mahir Maner, Atatürk flew as passenger
on board a de Havilland DH89A Dragon
Rapide type aircraft on three short trips
from Yeşilköy Airport over the Bosphorus
and Princes’ Island with his father, the
legendary Capt.Plt.Mustafa Tahir Maner.
 Atatürk’s final visit to an airfield – 2nd Air Regiment / Diyarbakır
Diyarbakır Governor Mithat Altıok, Tayyareci Naim Bürküt (far left)
Capt.Fevzi Uçaner and Atatürk (16 November, 1937)
 Celebrating Sabiha Gökçen’s flying dexterity at Yeşilköy Airfield on 28.06.1936. The facilities shown here
consist of two aircraft hangers, a supporting building, underground fuel depots, repair shops, and spare
parts warehouses constructed and operated by the French CIDNA airline in 1926. Air France terminated its
20-year business agreement early and sold its facilities to the Ministry of Public Works for 19,950 TL in early-
1937. See page 53. (Stuart Kline Archive)
 Amongst the reforms Atatürk initiated to modernize the country included civil and political
equality for women for the first time. On 17 February, 1926, Turkey adopted a new civil code
by which the rights of Turkish women and men were declared equal except in suffrage. After a
short but intense struggle, Turkish women achieved voting rights in local elections through
Law No. 1580 on 3 April 1930. Women gained full universal suffrage through legislation
enacted on 5 December, 1934, earlier than most other countries.
 ATATÜRK ON THE REPUBLIC
- “The greatest gift we can give our Republic is the education of our young people.”
- “The future is the Republic.”
- “Young People!.. We established the Republic. You are the ones who are going to make it
thrive.” (Nazilli Bez Fabrikası açılışında 09.10.1937) Merinos???
Atatürk on Industrialization…
Nuri Demirağ’in Boğaz Köprüsü Projesi
– “Aferin Nuri.”
With the American the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Douglas MacArthur at the Language Council
27.09.1932 Better copy of this photo needed.
(Photo: The American General Chief of Staff, Douglas MacArthur with Atatürk at the Language Congress.
(27 September, 1932)
Atatürk – MacArthur Astounding Political Prophets
The two great soldiers conceived a liking for each other from the moment they met. During a long
conversation, conducted in the warm atmosphere of sincerity, the two men, in touching on world subjects,
expressed some remarkable thoughts regarding the future, which were full of both hopes and fears. 20
years have gone by since then, crowned with historical events and the sufferings and misfortunes of war,
the end of which cannot be seen even today.
Could World War II have been avoided?
Our readers will find from the talk we give below that the answer is “yes.” Simultaneously, it will become
clear how the responsible statesmen, who held the fate of the world in their hands, blinded with excessive
national egoism and passions, lost the art of seeing ahead and unwittingly became the cause of WW II.
To MacArthur’s question about the situation in Europe, Atatürk answered as follows:
“The Versailles Treaty has not removed a single one of the reasons which caused World War I. On the
contrary, it has deepened the chasm between the main rivals of yesterday. The victors, steeped in hostile
feelings, dictated to the vanquished conditions of peace, without taking into account either the ethnical,
geopolitical, or economic peculiarities of the defeated countries. Hence the peace we have today, is better
described as an armistice. If you, American gentlemen, had not withdrawn from European affairs and had
insisted on the execution of Wilson’s program, we could today have had a lasting peace.”
“It seems to me that the future of Europe depends today, as it did yesterday, on the situation of Germany.
The 70-million strong people, disciplined, hardworking and extremely dynamic, will sooner or later try to
remedy the Versailles Treaty, if it is led by a political movement capable of exciting its national feelings and
passions.”
Atatürk went on to say that Germany was capable of creating within a short space of time an army
able to occupy the whole of Europe, excepting England and Russia; that war would break out not later than
1940-45; and that France had lost the quality which goes to the making of a large army and that England
could no longer count on her for the defense of her islands.
Concerning Italy, Atatürk said: “Italy has undoubtedly risen to considerable heights under Mussolini and had
taken great strides forward. If Mussolini abstains from entering the future war, he will be able to play one of
the main roles at the peace conference table, thereby exploiting Italy’s imposing outer façade and greatness.
But, I am afraid that Italy’s present chief will not be able to resist the temptation of playing the role of a
Caesar and will demonstrate immediately that Italy is far from becoming a military force.”Atatürk added that
America, as in the last war, will not remain neutral and that Germany will lose the war as a result of
American intervention. He then spoke words which today sound like an amazing prophecy: “If Europe’s
statesmen, casting aside national egoism and differences, do not tackle with all sincerity and determination
the solution of fundamental political problem in the interests of all, I am afraid that it will be impossible to
avert a new catastrophe. Strictly speaking, the European problem has long passed the stage when it was
caused by differences between England, France and Germany. Today, there has appeared in the East, a new
power, which threatens civilization, and even the whole of mankind. This terrible power, besides mobilizing
all its moral and material resources for world revolution, employs new political methods as yet unknown to
Europeans and Americans and is skilled in making very good use of the slightest mistakes and oversights of
its enemies.”
“In the war, which will break out in Europe, the first victory will not be either England, France, or Germany,
but Bolshevik Russia. As close neighbors to Russia and as a nation which had fought Russia the most, we,
Turks, are better placed to watch the events occurring in that country, and see the danger which it is
preparing in all its nakedness. The Bolsheviks, who are exploiting the feelings of the awakening peoples of
the East and are conniving in their national passions and feelings, and who know how to excite their hatred,
have become a power, which threatens not only Europe, but also Asia.”
When Asia, came to be discussed, MacArthur said the following:
“I agree with you completely. The circumstance that European and American statesmen do not see the real
danger alarms ne also. We are slipping towards a war from which only an enemy who threatens us all will
benefit. I think that the war which breaks out in Europe, will flare up immediately in Asia. More particularly
as Japan will wish to exploit for her own purposes in Asia the convenient situation of European war, as
diverting the attention of the great powers from Asia, America will, of course, not remain indifferent with
elemental speed. Russia will immediately try to extend her influence in Asia. If our diplomats will then turn
out to be capable of not paying a heavy price in territorial concessions for Russian aid, well and good. In the
contrary case we, in trying to remove one danger, will create in its place another and more terrible peril.
Consequently, the war which we shall fight in alliance with Soviet Russia, will not solve any great problems
either in Europe or Asia. From the moment when Asia, shich disposes of countless human reserves and
serves as market for European and American goods, falls under the influence of Russia, the problem may be
regarded as having been settled in Bolshevism’s favor. It is namely because of this that the Russians are
deploying great activity in Asia, which often escapes our notice.”
“Today, a considerable part of China is under the control of Communist agents. If American and
European statesmen do not accord China due attention and do not support the anti-Communist Chinese, the
defeat of the Japanese will lead to the triumph and victory of Communism in China. The same can happen in
Manchuria, Korea, India, Indochina, and Burma. Consequently, it seems to me that the fate of the world will
be settled, not in Europe, but in Asia.”
After the two remarkable soldiers ended their exchange of views, Atatürk said laughingly: “We seen to
have achieved a complete identity of views in our discussion, but let us hope that our verdict on the world
situation proves wrong and that the trustees of the world’s fate are on the right road.”
Unfortunately, this wish of Atatürk’s remained unfulfilled. Mankind inevitably drew nearer to World
War II, but the deliverer of Turkey was not fated to see his remarkable prophecies justified one after another.
Atatürk died shortly before the outbreak of World War II.
Regarding General MacArthur, the events of the past 20 years have also proved the accuracy of his
prognosis. His viewpoint on the Korean question, which he had defended with such stubbornness and
assurance before the diplomats and statesmen of his own country and those of the whole world, now
becomes especially clear to us.
Source: August 1951, The Caucasus magazine
Atatürk, kendisine yapılan büstlerinden sadece birinin açılış töreninde hazır
bulundu. Yer: Eskişehir Hava Mektebi Kumandanlığı. Tarih: 9 Haziran, 1936
 ATATÜRK ON EDUCATION
“People are not born educated, but rather they are brought up with education.”
“A nation which does not make its children read is condemned to obliteration.”
“The most real indicator is education and science.”
“School teaches youth to love humanity, respect and to love the nation.”
(Adnan Tolga Sancar Archive)
 ATATÜRK ON
SPORTS:
- “I love a sportsman
who has got
character and
morals.”
The Ghazi and Ms.
Afet (İnan) playing
ring-toss on the S.S.
Ege. 28.11.1930
(Foto Cemal Işıksel)
 This chess set was crafted for Atatürk by Ülkü’s father, Mehmet Tahsin
Çukurluoğlu. Unfortunately, neither the Turkish Chess Federation not the
Chess Museum in Ankara can account for its whereabouts.
On the other hand, Atatürk’s
mother-of-pearl domino sets
are on display in the Atatürk
Museum Rm. 101 at the Pera
Palace Hotel in Beyoğlu,
İstanbul.
 Atatürk personally presented
surnames to 37 people of his
closest associates. For
instance, Atatürk gave
surnames to Fahrettin Altay, to
Falih Eıfkı Atay, to future
President Fahri Korutürk, to
Behiç Erkin, to Sabiha Gökçen,
as well as two barbers from
Salonica: Mehmet (Mete) and
Rıdvan (Gürarı) The document
seen at the left, Prof.Dr. Neşet
Ömer Bey, who was bestowed
with the surname ‘İRDELP.’
Neşet Ömer İrdelp was the last
physician to examine Atatürk
during the night of 9-10
November, 1938.
(Karadeniz Antik – Ömer
Gençtürk)
 While this document clearly shows that
the U.S. did not fully grasp the full scope
of Atatürk's accomplishments…
After the approval of the White House,
American Ambassador to Turkey J. Van
A. MacMurray was assigned to
represent the President of the United
States at the funeral, and the Turkish
Foreign Minister was duly informed via
telegram. After that, it was proposed
that the embassy be authorized to
spend $300 for a wreath for use at the
funeral ceremony on behalf of the
American Government; However, the
US Department of State considered this
amount to be excessive, but did,
however authorize the ambassador to
spend $200 on the wreath.”
This author obtained in 1999 from the
U.S. Information and Documents office
at the American - Turkish Friendship
Association on Cinnah Caddesi in
Ankara. This document was used as a
primary source for an article in Nokta
magazine entitled ‘Amerika’nin Atatürk
Çelenk Ayıbı! Penned by Turkish
journalist Ömer Özkaya in 2000.
 Which officials from which nations participated in Atatürk’s funeral ceremony? Well, the USA was represented by
Ambassador Macmurray, who was informed that $300 was too much for a funeral wreath. According to the Anatolia
Agency’s press release which was published in Issue No. 7099 of the Istanbul-based French newspaper Le Journal D’Orient
dated 16 November, 1938, the following official delegations and military detachments took part in Atatürk’s funeral
procession:
Afghanistan, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Holland, Poland, Spain,
Sweden, Syria as well as delegations from the following countries:
Albania: Justice Minister, His Excellency Fait Satku, Mr. Kortcha, Mr. Cavid Leskovikou, assigned envoy to Ankara, Assaf
Caculi.
Bulgaria: Chairman of the Royal Military Delegation, General Vanof, General Daskalof, General Bukachi.
France: Interior Minister and former Ambassador to Ankara, Albert Sarraut, General Georges, Admiral Laborde.
Germany: Baron von Neurath, Lieutenant General List, Lieutenant Colonel von Rost Naval Unit.
Great Britain : Marshal Lord Birdwood, Lieutenant Colonel Whiteford, Commander of the Mediterranean Fleet Admiral
Dudley Pound, Lieutenant Colonel Duff, 12 officers , 120 enlisted, 60 marines, 56 piece marching band Naval Unit: Malaya
cruiser.
Greece: Prime Minister Gen. His Excellency Metaxas, Palace Military Commander General Demestichas, Defense Minister
State Undersecretary General Papadimas, assigned Greek Ambassador to Ankara, His Excellency Raphael, Prime Ministry
Secretariat Director and Foreign Minister, Mr. Andrulis, Undersecretary to the Ankara Ambassador, Mr. Syndica, Naval
Attaché Lieutenant Colonel Joannidis, Military Attaché, Lieutenant Colonel Zumbulakis, General Metexas ADC Lieutenant
Colonel Nobelis, General Metexas ADC Korokas, Secretary to the Ankara Embassy, Mr. Tendiz, Attaché in the Foreign
Ministry, Mr. Kavalieratos.
The League of Nations: General Secretary of the League of Nations, Mr. Walters, Director, Mr. Agnidis, Member Tevfik Erim.
Romania: Minister of the Naval and Air Forces, Gen. Paul Theodoresco, Army General Inspector, General Motas, General
Traian Grigoresco, assigned ambassador in Ankara, His Excellency A. Telemaque, Undersecretary of the Ankara Embassy, Mr.
Eliad, Military Attaché, Lieutenant Colonel T. Theodoresco, Troops: A few officers and 60 enlisted, Naval Unit; Queen Maria
Destroyer.
Soviet Union: Deputy Foreign Minister, Comissar Mr. Potemkine, Black Sea Fleet Commander, Admiral Youmachov, Soviet
Ambassador Mr. Terentiev, Naval Unit; Moskova Destroyer.
Yugoslavia: Defense and Naval Forces Minister, Gen. Milutin Nedic, assigned Ambassador to Ankara, His Excellency Branko
Adzemoviç, Royal ADC Admiral Dragutin, Secretary Director of the Defense and Naval Forces Ministry, Mr. Yevromovic,
Military Attachés Lieutenant Colonel Peter Tomatz and Lieutenant Colonel Nikita Taranonki. Moreover, 4 officers , 4 Petty
Officers and 80 enlisted.
 This author was fortunate to have met five
esteemed persons Atatürk bequeathed in his
Last Will & Testament.
Sabiha Gökçen (1913 – 2001)
Ülkü (1932 – 2012)
Ömer İnönü (1925 – 2004)
Erdal İnönü (1927 – 2007)
ve Özden İnönü (Toker) (1930 - )
 According to Frau Hilda Christianus, Hitler was informed about some letters Ataturk had written
her from Turkey after he served as Military Attaché in Sofia, Bulgaria. He offered to buy them
from Hilda, and in sending her an open check, his aides told her, "You may write in whatever
figure you want." Nonetheless, Frau Hilda did not sell her letters, but sent them on loan to Hitler
for him to read. He returned them after reading them. Her love and respect for Mustafa Kemal
prevented his letters from being exchanged for money. "I couldn’t have done that," he said.
”Had I done so, I would’ve hurt his soul."
 Tuesday,
10.11.1953.
Atatürk’s
silhouette appears
in the clouds over
Yozgat during a
ceremony to mark
the day Atatürk’s
casket was
transferred from
the Ethnography
Museum to the
Anıtkabir on 10
November, 1953.
(Stuart KLINE
Archive)
Atatürk was gravely ill
and unable to attend
the 29 October, 1938
Republic Day
festivities. 225 aircraft
of the Turkish Army
Air Force participated
in the flyover
ceremony conducted
that somber day.
(Celal Uzar Archive)
 Havacı Kıt’ası Saygı Geçit Töreni’nde 16 November,
1938 tarihinde. Korg. Sabri Göknart ön sırada sağdan
3. (Ruha Göknart Arşivi)
Atatürk on Martyrs ... From the memoirs of Sabiha Gökçen. “One spring afternoon at Turkish Bird, where I was
working as chief instructor, the students who had completed their flight assignments gathered at the start line to
watch the landings of their friends who were still in the air. The last young man still airborne made his landing and
was taxiing towards the start when he became momentarily distracted, gunning the engine instead of cutting back
on the throttle. The plane came roaring towards the youths who were in a large group; The youths scattered for
their lives. Unfortunately, a Turkish son who burned with the love for aviation and was still a teenager, perished
when the aircraft propeller sliced into his body. The Turkish Bird community was distraught beside of the boy who
was killed. I had forgotten the time, as I was able to return to the mansion at an hour much later than usual.
Discerning the day’s weariness on my face, Ataturk asked me why I was late. I told him of the sad circumstances. "---
He said, “C’mon, get up, let's get out to the airfield immediately. Let’s not leave those kids on their own, let’s share
their agony, and let’s give them some morale support.” We arrived at the field, and after expressing our
condolences to the youths, he said, "It is Turkish youths who shall raise the Republic of Turkey over its steadfast
foundations with each passing day. Nothing is easily acquired and that they should certainly not allow any back-
stepping; If we do not want to make sacrifices from our national pride, then we need to work day and night, and
exert the effort to always seek better and nicer alternatives. Young people should never accept defeat." Our hearts
and minds grieving for the Turkish youth who lost his life, I returned to the mansion with Atatürk at a late hour.
ATATÜRK ON GALLIPOLI - “Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives… You are now
lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore, rest in peace. There is no difference between the
Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side, Here in this country of ours. You, the
mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries… Wipe away your tears. Your sons are now
lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land, they have become our
sons as well.”
 ATATÜRK, ON WAR AND PEACE ... In 1934, 12 years after his country’s defeat in the War of
Turkish Liberation, Greek Prime Minister E. Venizelos nominated Atatürk as candidate for the
Nobel Peace Prize..." However, war is murder as long as the nation is not in mortal danger."
"Peace is the best way to ensure the welfare and happiness of nations." "The world’s nations are
regarded as residents of an apartment complex. If some of its residents set the apartment on
fire, it’s impossible for the others to be saved from the fire’s impact."
 The signing of the Treaty of Amity,
Neutrality and Reconciliation
between Turkey and Greece on 30
October, 1930 marked an important
development in the Balkan states.
Turkish-Greek friendship developed
under the leadership of Atatürk and
Venizelos. In 1933, Turkey signed the
Treaty of Amity and Neutrality with
Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and
Yugoslavia, respectively. These
bilateral agreements paved the
groundwork for the signing of the
Balkan Pact, opening the way for an
agreement between the Balkan
states. Venizelos nominated Ataturk
for the Nobel Peace Prize on January
12, 1934, for his major contributions
to Turkish-Greek relations and peace
building efforts in the Near East. The
Balkan Pact was signed in Athens by
the Foreign Ministers of Turkey,
Greece, Yugoslavia and Romania on 9
February 1934. Moreover, there was
a clause that stipulated Bulgaria and
Albania could become participants in
the Pact later on.
 The concept of peace with neighboring countries continued after Ataturk’s death. For instance, this
photograph was shot in 1952 in the Athens district of 'Neo Smyrna.' The billboard reads ‘Long Live the
Turkish and Greek Armies’ in Turkish and Greek to mark both countries’ acceptance for NATO
membership. This image was used in the 2013 film 'Halam Geldi' which was shot on the island of Cyprus.
 When we graduated together with Sabiha Gökçen, she transferred over to the regiment and went to
another division. We remained in the 56th Division. We went to the 1937 Thracian Maneuvers. When we
passed into Thrace, Sabiha Gökçen was in our division... There were two-tier American officer’s tents.
They said, "Atatürk will come, and inspect us." Officers and non-com officers were mustered in rows.
Fahrettin Altay, Fevzi Çakmak, they were fairly large size men, Atatürk was not like them. He wore a gray-
colored jacket, a hat, glasses, golf trousers, colorful socks, sports shoes. He came right beside us, three
meters in front of us, ”At ease, troops!" ”Yes sir!" He passed by us and went off. I saw Ataturk there ... ”
"... and at his funeral, I was flying a Martin. I took off from Eskişehir (1st Air Regiment) and flew for four hours
over Istanbul while his casket was removed from Dolmabahçe on an artillery cart in a somber cortege to The
Seraglio. Ibrahim Metel was in our squadron flying Martin Number 10. He needed to switch on four petrol
tank valves but couldn’t turn one of them, causing one of his engines to quit in mid-air. He landed off the
shore of Fenerbahçe. The control had snapped off from salt corrosion, but they fixed it later on and that
aircraft remained in service for many years afterwards." Interview with Chief Warrant Petty Officer Nürettin
Göksel Eskişehir (29.04.2011).
In 1981, the centennial
of Atatürk’s birth was
commemorated by the
United Nations
and UNESCO as ‘The
Atatürk Year in the
World.’ Atatürk is the
only person to have
ever received such
recognition by
UNESCO.
 Today, there are
at least 45
hospitals, streets,
avenues,
boulevards,
parks,
monuments,
statues and busts
all erected or
named in honor
of Mustafa Kemal
Atatürk around
the world.
The late-Mustafa
Koç is seen here
in Havana.
 ATATÜRK ONCE SAID…
“A person’s acumen and culture becomes whole with abstract and tangible concepts. Happy is the one
who is as hungry for art, science and music as he is for bread. Peace is a product of intelligence whereas
war belongs to those who are mindless. If there is anything to fight for, it should be for one’s freedom or
independence. Time flows and flies. Don’t make anything taboo and resist dogmatic thought. Remain as
much as a revolutionary in order not to carry out extreme revolutions in the future. If a nation doesn’t
need a savior, then it has become a nation. Don’t ever expect a savior, otherwise I shall say I didn’t carry
out my obligation I had to you.”
 Atatürk was very fond of Turkish coffee and was known to drink 10-15 cups of it per day. On 8 February,
1923, Division Commander, General Naci Eldeniz had tents pitched at the village of Ergama along the
Edremit road and treated his Chief-in-Command and his wife to cups of coffee. To the far left of the Ghazi is
his ADC, Cevat Abbas (Gürer), to his right is the Commander of the 2nd Army Corps, Ali Hikmet Pasha, Colonel
Osman Şevki and Guard Commander Tekçe behind Latife Hanım, Kazım Karabekir Pasha to her right and his
ADC Mahmut Savdam (Siirt Deputy).
Atatürk Araştırmacısı Sn. Onur Okur’un Kaleminden…Devlet Nasıl Kurulur?
Öncelikle şöyle bir sigaranı yakarsın, alev alev yanan gözlerin, şimşekler çakan keskin bakışlarınla yedi
düvele meydan okursun, halkın üzerine bir güneş gibi doğar, yurdun her karış toprağını düşmandan
temizlersin. Ardından, yanık, yıkık İstanbul hariç tek bir kentine çivi çakılmamış bir memleketi devralırsın,
elinde para yoktur, imkânların kısıtlıdır. Öncelikle evvela Cumhuriyet'i kurarsın, hâkimiyeti kayıtsız şartsız
milletine verirsin. Yüzde 3'lerde sürünen okuma yazma oranını, eğitim seferberliği ile 60'lara 70'lere
çıkarırsın. Halkın hastalıklardan kırılıyordur. Sorun değil; memleketin her köşesine yetiştirdiğin doktorları
ulaştırırsın. Sonra, karayolu yoktur, yaparsın. 4 bin kilometre demiryolu vardır, lâkin bir metresi bile senin
değildir… On board the S/S Ege with Prime Minister İsmet İnönü.09.08.1936
 ... First of all, you appropriate them from the British and Germans, then you lay as much track as they did.
There is a bank called ‘Ottoman’ with foreign owners. You acquire it, then you set up İş Bankası. You then
make Ankara, an arid city in the middle of nowhere, your capital in the heart of the country, turn it into
paradise by embellishing it with modern buildings,. You don’t have a single factory with a smoking chimney
to start, but open 47 of them within a short period of time. The years you thrust open your hand and begged
for 'Europe's favor, and its weapons as well' are a thing of the past, as you today build your own planes, your
own weapons, and even sell them to Greece. That's when you can be considered as having established a
state! However, lest we forget that although I’ve only written a few books, in fact Atatürk has already filled
thousands of pages in books entitled ‘The Republic of Turkey’ with a note ‘will remain for eternity.' İsmet
İnönü's monogram, "İ.İ." (above) and Kemal Atatürk monogram, "K.A." (below) are featured on these
filterless golden folio cigarettes ... (Stuart Kline Archive)
Atatürk had a drink ... and it was well known that he drank. He would never do it
covertly.
 All of
Atatürk’s
shirts were
white...
Atatürk had a dog named ‘Foks.’ One day while Atatürk was visiting the Yalova hotsprings, he bought Foks
from a wandering photographer for 50 TL. Years later, Foks was killed after biting Atatürk in the hand and
then was stuffed by Atatürk’s associates without his knowledge. The stuffed dog is still on exhibit at the
‘Atatürk and the War of Liberation Museum’ at Anıtkabir.
 Atatürk regularly rode horseback. While the cavlary rushed by like the wind, the commanders
saluted Mustafa Kemal with their swords. The Ghazi responds in kind. Balikesir - Balya military
exercises, 8 February, 1923.
 There is a flower called the ‘Atatürk çiçeği.’ According to a rumor, a plant was named after
Atatürk because he was quite fond of it. According to another claim, botanists named a flower
that was of Mexican origin and cultivated in Turkey after ‘Atatürk.’
 A Lesson in Post-Modern Turkish History
Everyone living here in this country owes its independence and democracy to one person: ATATÜRK... He didn’t wear denim jeans in his youth. He didn’t take his
girlfriend by the hand and take her to see the latest box-office hit... When Sultan Mehmet Reşat V assigned him to Libya to fight against the Italians in 1911, he did not reach
his post via a first-class seat on a luxurious commercial jetliner, sipping whiskey on the way… In order to convey to the people the idea of independence, he did not travel
around Anatolia in a convoy of Mercedes Benz vehicles... He wasn’t wearing sports shoes or cowboy boots when he disembarked from the S.S. Bandırma at Samsun on 19
May, 1919, the day he commenced the national struggle for freedom... There weren’t any cheerleaders wearing mini-skirts to give pep rallies by leaping onto the battlefield
after each battle was won... If we take a look at our history books, we notice that his troops did not strut the Michael Jackson “Moonwalk” after running the Greeks into İzmir
Harbor in September, 1922... I’m sad for Atatürk because not only didn’t he have a Palm Pilot computer to take notes so as not to forget the revolutions he was supposed to
carry out in his country, he didn’t have a cellphone with him to learn who was behind the attempt to assassinate him in İzmir in the mid-1920’s, either! I feel sad for Atatürk.
A man as mighty as him, he wasn’t able to fax his radio program to dedicate his favorite Safiye Ayla tune to his right-hand man, İsmet Paşa. After the Lausanne Peace Treaty
was signed or after the Declaration of the Republic, he couldn’t jump in his Presidential limousine to cruise the streets until morning, beeping the horn with one hand and
waving the Turkish flag with the other. He couldn’t celebrate by going onto his balcony at home and firing off a magazine of bullets into the air. I feel sorry for Atatürk... He,
who was born at a time when a man could legally marry four women at the same time, decided enough was enough and introduced the system of monogamy. Jeez! He could
have gone to crazy discos, drinking to dawn, rockin’ the Casbah while taking his Daddy’s Mercedes for a cruise up the Bosphorus to Emirgan... Atatürk didn’t do any of these
things... He didn’t get loose as a goose… He merely spent his entire life to rescue his country from the clutches of evil and turn it into a civilized place to live... THAT IS WHY
ATATÜRK WAS SUCH A GREAT MAN, SOMEONE WHO HAD ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WORLD AT HIS DISPOSAL. ALL HE WANTED WAS TO GRANT THIS NATION ITS
INDEPENDENCE. HIS ONLY CRIME WAS THAT HE DRANK TWO GLASSES OF RAKI A DAY.” Source: E-mail sent to this author from an anonymous writer
ATATÜRK DİN ÜZERİNE…
We salute Atatürk with all the love, affection,
respect and gratitude in the world.