Soldier, politician and statesman. He was born in
Koprulu (Veles)/ Macedonia
in 1882 D. June 06, 1968, Ankara.)
He is among the most important commanders of National Independence War. His
full name is Kazim Fikri Ozalp and he is son of cavalier officer Ismail Nazmi
Bey. He graduated from Skopje Military
Secondary School and Manastir Military
High School. He
completed War School
in 1902 and War Academy in 1905 and became senior
captain. He was appointed to Thessaloniki
Commandership. He joined Union and Progress.
He fought against the Bulgarian rebels in Thessaloniki.
When he was the Commander at Serez (1908), he joined the army to suppress the
March 31 Revolt in Istanbul
(April 13, 1909).
After the Balkan Wars, he was appointed as Vice
Commander in Istanbul
(1913) and became a major in 1914. He became a lieutenant colonel because of
his achievements in 1915. He fought against the Russians when he was Van Mobile
Gendarmerie Commander (1914) in the First World War. He
became the 36th Brigade Commander due to his achievements against Russians in
Iranian Azerbaijan. He became a colonel in 1917. He participated in the
campaigns at Caucasia, he invaded Batumi
and moved to Kutayis.
When the Greeks invaded Izmir, he organized the National Resistance Movement
in Balieksir during the War of Independence. He was the commander at Şarkoy and
Balikesir after the Mondoros Peace Treaty. He moved
against the Greeks who invaded Bergama.
He was appointed as Izmir North Front Commander and suppressed
the Anzavur Revolt in 1920.
He was Ertuğrul Group Commander. But when that
group was abolished, he became Karesi (Balikesir) deputy in TGNA. He was
appointed as Kocaeli regional Commander in 1921 and took İzmit and Adapazari
back from enemy. He participated in Sakarya War and became the general in
September 1921. In 1922 he became the
Minister of National Defense.
Then he became the Western Front Commander,
appointed by TGNA. He joined the Great Assault and Sakarya War. He was elected as TGNA president
in 1925 and continued with this duyu for ten years. He was retired
in 1926. He was the Minister of National Defense in Fevzi Cakmak (1922), Rauf
Orbay (1922-23) and Fethi Okyar (1923) gpvernments. He was TGNA President (1924-1935), and Minister
of National Defense during Ismet Inonu and Celal Bayar governments (1935-1939). He became RPP group chairman
in 1943. He was elected as Van deputy in May 14, 1950 and left the political
life in 1954. He continued his presence at TGNA between 1920 until he quit
politics.
He died in Ankara on June 06, 1968. He was buried at the
State Cemetery
in Ataturk Forest Farm that was established for presidents of Turkish Republic.
His book was published in 1971-1972, named as "Milli Mucadele".
WORKS:
Milli Mücadele (2
volumes, 1971-72), Atatürk’ten Anılar (with Teoman Özalp, 1998).
REFERENCE:
İbrahim Alaeddin Gövsa / Türk Meşhurları
(1946), Hakkı Devrim / Türkiye Ansiklopedisi 3 (1974), Türk ve
Dünya Ünlüleri Ansiklopedisi (v. 8, 1985), Büyük Larousse Sözlük ve Ansiklopedi
(v. 17, I 1986), İhsan Işık / Resimli ve Metin Örnekli Türkiye Edebiyatçılar ve
Kültür Adamları Ansiklopedisi (2006, 2009).
