Fahrettin Pasha (Ömer Fahreddin Türkkan) (1868-1948), one of the greatest heroic commanders of the Ottoman Empire and the Turkish Republic, was born in Ruse, Bulgaria and passed away in Eskişehir.
During World War I, Fahrettin Pasha emerged as one of the leading officers of the Ottoman Empire, etching his name into history with the legendary defense of Medina. Against British forces, manipulated desert Bedouins, and T.E. Lawrence, he defended the immensely sacred city of Medina for the Islamic world, displaying unwavering courage amidst hunger and destitution.
Fahrettin Pasha Sent to the Holy Lands
In 1916, Fahrettin Pasha was dispatched to the Arabian Peninsula by Cemal Pasha to quell the rebellion led by Sharif Hussein of Mecca, who had pledged allegiance to the British. Fueled by British manipulation and promises of gold, some Arabs rebelled, prompting Fahrettin Pasha to lead a resistance under the banner of the Ottoman Empire.
Fahrettin Pasha, with a force of 800 officers, valiantly defended Medina against the British, refusing to surrender the city.
For approximately 2 years and 7 months, Fahrettin Pasha tenaciously resisted the British, preserving the sanctity of Medina, even as his soldiers faced exhaustion and depleted supplies. Undaunted, he famously instructed his troops to eat locusts, even providing recipes. This directive, along with his personal example, became a testament to his unwavering belief in victory.
Despite Fahrettin Pasha's heroism, the First World War concluded for the Ottoman Empire with the Armistice of Mudros, obliging Ottoman forces to capitulate to the British.
Refusing to Surrender the City Immediately
Upon receiving this bitter news, Fahrettin Pasha initially felt as though he had been struck in the head, steadfastly refusing to surrender the city. He resisted, even defying orders for 72 more days, all in the name of not surrendering the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad to the British. However, 72 days after the signing of the Mudros Armistice, the city was handed over to the British.
Fahrettin Pasha and his soldiers were taken as prisoners by the British and exiled to Malta. After enduring a period of captivity, Fahrettin Pasha was released in 1921 through the efforts of the Ankara Government and returned to Turkey. He then joined the Turkish War of Independence, where he continued his acts of heroism, particularly excelling on the southern front.
In 1921, Fahrettin Pasha was appointed as the Ambassador to Afghanistan in Kabul, playing a significant role in enhancing Turkish-Afghan relations.
Locust Menu
Fahrettin Pasha's famous command was "My sons, eat locusts," as his soldiers had no other sustenance left in the desert conditions. This underscored Fahrettin Pasha's unwavering belief in victory. During the war, he provided his soldiers with locust recipes, asserting that eating locusts kept desert dwellers energetic and free from illnesses. He likened the taste of locusts to a combination of lemon and sparrow meat.
In his lifetime, Fahrettin Pasha earned nicknames such as the "Hero of Medina" and the "Desert Tiger."
''Fahrettin Pasha, even in his lifetime, was a commander who inscribed his name in history with golden letters.'' - Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
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