Harp Mecmuası 1916 Ottoman Military Mag WW1 Gallipoli Front Caucasus Iraq Colmar von der Goltz Kut al-Amara Jerusalem
Harp Mecmuası – “Goltz Pasha: The Great Soldier Who Gave His Life in Ottoman Service” – Issue No. 8 – April 1916 (Nisan 1332) – Ottoman Turkish Edition
Description:
Harp Mecmuası was an official Ottoman military and cultural periodical published during World War I, from 1915 to 1918, under the auspices of the Ministry of War (Harbiye Nezareti) during Enver Pasha’s tenure. Its first issue appeared in November 1915, and publication ended with Issue No. 27 in June 1918. The magazine aimed to report on the progress of the war, strengthen morale among Ottoman soldiers, and maintain public support for the armed forces.
The magazine distinguished itself through its extensive use of original battlefield photography and illustrations. Despite difficult wartime conditions and paper shortages, it presented photographs from various fronts in high-quality print. These images documented military operations, commanders, soldiers, ceremonies, and events both at the front and behind the lines.
The cover of this eighth issue features Colmar von der Goltz, known as Goltz Pasha, accompanied by the caption: “The great soldier who loved us dearly and gave his life on our soil, at the head of our army, for the sake of that love.” The issue contains extensive photographic coverage of the Iraq Front, including portraits of British Generals Townshend and Nixon, photographs of British soldiers in Iraq, and views of Kut al-Amara. Several photographs document the town following the British surrender and its capture by Ottoman forces.
Other important subjects include the ceremony in which the standard of the 27th Regiment, recognised for its exceptional bravery during the Arıburnu battles at Gallipoli, was decorated with gold and silver distinction and war medals. Further Gallipoli photographs include images of soldiers and British, French, and Australian officers taken prisoner during the campaign. The magazine also features a photograph from the Mersa Matruh engagements portraying fleeing British troops.
The issue includes photographs of Enver Pasha among the ruins of Baalbek, now in Lebanon, and Jerusalem scouts saluting him. The Caucasus Front is represented by photographs of Ottoman troops, including an image showing a Russian artillery piece captured by Ottoman forces and subsequently used against the Russians, as well as a photograph of an Ottoman detachment. Additional photographs document prisoners of war, while the closing section, titled “Yaşayan Ölüler” (The Living Dead), features photographs of soldiers who lost their lives during the war.
Key Features:
• Publication: Harp Mecmuası, official Ottoman military periodical issued under the Ministry of War
• Issue: No. 8, April 1916 (Nisan 1332)
• Language: Ottoman Turkish
• Cover Portrait: Colmar von der Goltz (Goltz Pasha), accompanied by a tribute to his service and death in Ottoman service
• Iraq Front: Photographs of British Generals Townshend and Nixon, British soldiers, and Kut al-Amara following the British surrender
• Gallipoli Campaign: Photograph of the 27th Regiment’s standard being decorated with gold and silver distinction and war medals in recognition of its bravery at Arıburnu
• Gallipoli Prisoners: Photographs of captured British, French, and Australian officers, together with other prisoners of war
• Mersa Matruh: Photograph from the engagements depicting fleeing British troops
• Enver Pasha: Photograph among the ruins of Baalbek, present-day Lebanon
• Jerusalem Scouts: Photograph of scouts from Jerusalem saluting Enver Pasha
• Caucasus Front: Photographs of Ottoman troops, including a captured Russian artillery piece used against Russian forces, and an Ottoman military detachment
• “The Living Dead”: A closing section featuring photographs of Ottoman soldiers who lost their lives during the war
• Condition: small tears