I AM NOT ORDERİNG YOU TO ATTACK, I AM ORDERİNG YOU TO DİE
During the Battle of Gallipoli, upon
receiving news of the enemy landing, Mustafa Kemal immediately mobilized
his forces against the advancing enemy toward Conkbayırı without waiting
for orders from higher command. Personally leading the way, he reached
Kocaçimen Hill. After allowing his soldiers a short rest there, he
continued on foot with his staff to Conkbayırı, as the terrain was
unsuitable for horses.
There, he encountered a reconnaissance unit that was retreating because
they had run out of ammunition and were being pursued by the enemy.
Atatürk:
-Why
are you running away?
Soldier:
-Sir, the enemy.
Atatürk:
-Where is the enemy?
Soldier:
-There...
(They pointed toward Hill 261.)
Atatürk later recalled the scene:
“Indeed, an enemy skirmish line had approached
Hill 261 and was advancing freely. Consider the situation. I had left my
soldiers behind to rest... The enemy had already reached that hill...
The enemy was closer to me than my own soldiers. If the enemy reached my
position, my forces would be in a very difficult situation. At that
moment, whether through logic or instinct, I do not know, I said to the
retreating soldiers:"
-You
do not run from the enemy.
-We
have no ammunition left.
I answered:
-If
you have no ammunition, you still have your bayonets.
Then
-Fix
bayonets!
I ordered them to lie down.
At the same time, he sent his aide-de-camp back to bring the
infantry regiment and mountain artillery battery that were advancing
toward Conkbayırı to his position at the double. When the soldiers lay
down and fixed bayonets, the enemy also halted and took cover.
“That was the moment we won.”
Before the enemy could decide on its next move, the 57th Regiment
arrived at Conkbayırı. Mustafa Kemal immediately ordered the regiment
into action. He then directed the other regiments of the 19th Division
toward Arıburnu. Taking command of the 27th Regiment, which was already
holding its ground there, he intensified the counterattack.
The battle continued throughout the night, and the enemy was pushed back
to the final ridges near the coast. Thus, the Kocaçimen Plateau, one of
the most crucial areas of the Gallipoli Peninsula, remained in Turkish
hands, laying the foundation for the successful defense of the
Dardanelles.
On that day, as commander of the Arıburnu forces, Mustafa Kemal gave his
famous order:
“I
am not ordering you to attack; I am ordering you to die. In the time it
takes for us to die, other forces and commanders can come forward and
take our place.”
A military commentator later wrote of that day:
“Mustafa Kemal's ability to grasp the situation quickly, make rapid
decisions, implement them with determination, and never shrink from
responsibility revealed in him the qualities of a great commander.”