Today, I am going to translate a memory about the Father of Turks, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. This will show you the root of the Hat Revolution and necessities of becoming a modern country in every area. Also, it will show you the main idea behind the Atatürk’s revolutions which is getting rid of the “Sick man of Europa” impression and reaching a high level civilization.
The Picardie Manoeuvres made in September 1910 by British and French armies in command of General Foch to show to Europa that they are stronger than any other country and Ottoman Empire was representing by three observers. Fethi (Okyar) Bey, Selahaddin Bey and Mustafa Kemal (Atatürk). It was a great opportunity to show their new war machines like cannons, planes and tanks.
During the manoeuvres, Mustafa Kemal realized some weak spots in the operation. He explained them to French Colonel and Colonel delivered his critics to General Foch. Obviously, Mustafa Kemal took Foch’s attention because he was personally invited a special fest that his military rank is not enough to join. On the other hand, they didn’t take an action for those weak spots. During the feast, a soldier said Mustafa Kemal “As long as you have those funny hats (fes) on your heads, we won’t be interested with the thoughts inside your heads.”
I hope, I correctly managed to translate this important memory that shows one of the reasons behind Atatürk’s reformist idea.
“The biggest battle is the war against ignorance.” - Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
The Picardie Manoeuvres made in September 1910 by British and French armies in command of General Foch to show to Europa that they are stronger than any other country and Ottoman Empire was representing by three observers. Fethi (Okyar) Bey, Selahaddin Bey and Mustafa Kemal (Atatürk). It was a great opportunity to show their new war machines like cannons, planes and tanks.
During the manoeuvres, Mustafa Kemal realized some weak spots in the operation. He explained them to French Colonel and Colonel delivered his critics to General Foch. Obviously, Mustafa Kemal took Foch’s attention because he was personally invited a special fest that his military rank is not enough to join. On the other hand, they didn’t take an action for those weak spots. During the feast, a soldier said Mustafa Kemal “As long as you have those funny hats (fes) on your heads, we won’t be interested with the thoughts inside your heads.”
I hope, I correctly managed to translate this important memory that shows one of the reasons behind Atatürk’s reformist idea.
“The biggest battle is the war against ignorance.” - Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
Resources
- Uluğ İğdemir, Atatürk'ün Yaşamı, TTK Yayını, Ankara 1980, s. 21,22.
- https://www.irfankaygisiz.com/2018/11/23/ataturk-picardie-manevralarinda-fransa-28-eylul-1910/
*** Unfortunately, I couldn't demonstrate a first hand resource for the dialog between the soldier and Atatürk in the feast but I heard it from my history professor at my university and checked it from several history websites.
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