Sunshine: Ethem's Victory

It was almost sunrise. Farouks’ machine gun was quieter now. Jamil wanted to offer some cognac to Nuri. As he was stretching the bottle towards him, he heard a noise and stopped. The horses were approaching at full speed. There must have been something. They reached for their rifles. Jamil heard Shaban’s noise and jumped to his feet.

“Major! Sir!” Shaban was out of breath; Jamil called, “Here! We are here! What happened? Is that Anzavour?”

“Yes, Sir! It is Anzavour!” Shaban pulled the reigns and his horse was on his back feet. “ Sir! Ethem the Circassian finished Anzavour! Ethem defeated Anzavour; his troops are dismantled. Lieutinenant Shevki came and gave us the news.”

Asos

Jamil threw his rifle to the ground and put his hands around his mouth and yelled, “Farouk! It is over! Come here! Leave it and come back!” Then he turned and hugged Dr. Munir.

Dr. Munir was breathing fast. Lieutenant Sevki was telling the story with a teenager’s enthusiasm. “The battle was on for five hours, not exactly five hours. In fact the heavy fighting lasted only two hours. We were riding in rugged terrain. When we descended to the stream, we saw that the first team had already got there. After letting their horses drink water they were crossing the stream. Then we let our horses drink. All of a sudden we heard gun fire; a lot of bullets were being fired. We mounted our horses. We didn’t go halfway up the hill when we noticed that the first unit was retreating, they were broken up. We proceeded to go to the top of the hill where we saw that the enemy had dismounted their horses and was attacking. They were two hundred men strong. In the north there was one group moving to the other side. I raised my arm to signal the back to pick up speed. If we could carry two machine guns to the hill on the left we could have finished them. I sent half of the men to help our units, who the enemy was trying to encircle. I ordered the other half to climb up the hill and wait for the machine guns. They went up the hill quickly while riding their horses neck to neck. As they were going the machine gun team arrived and I ordered the team Commander Halim take the guns to the hill. When I saw that the first team already arrived at the summit and the machine gun team was on their way, I felt confident and I was sure in a short period of time we would be able to chase the enemy away. I brought the reserve horses of the two teams close to the hunters and told them that if the enemy breaks down then the units will start a cavalry charge immediately without waiting for the orders. At that instant Anzavour attacked with all his force towards the left hand side. The cavalry moved to both sides and left the job to the foot soldiers, like we had decided before. We attacked with all our might from the left side. We went around a small hill to guard a wooden bridge that was far away. Our Artillery was shooting the targets accurately.”

When Jamil heard the word ‘artillery” he paid more attention, “Our Artillery?”

“Yes, our artillery. In fact, they didn’t miss a single shot. We claimed the bridge. You know the feeling; suddenly one can feel that the other side is not up to it. They were struggling. They started out confident but our infantry has broken them.”

“Then our soldiers fought a good fight?”

“They were like Lions. Each unit was as strong as a Fortress.”

“What happened next? You claimed the bridge…”

“When Anzavour saw that we had the bridge, he saw that there was no point in forcing anymore. He turned his back. Upon seeing this, everyone mounted their horses and followed him at full speed.”

Doctor Munir was curious, “How would you rate Ethem as a Military Man?”

“I don’t know if he is good or not but he couldn’t have won without the help of our infantry. There is one thing though; he is really calm on the battlefield. He is calm, coldblooded and brave. Anyway, we were able to get back the cannons that Anzavour had taken from Hamdi at Biga. As we were celebrating the fact that we had taken back the cannons and the machine guns; Ethem’s horsemen….” Lieutenant Shevki lowered his voice, “… started plundering. Some changed their horse; some changed their boots with the better ones…Ethem’s units and the regular military fought together, yet one side started plundering while the others remained disciplined and worked together in an orderly fashion. That was different. I appreciated our soldiers much more than in previous wars. You might say that sometimes our infantry soldiers also misbehave. You are right. But it’s rare. That’s the important part, they rarely misbehave. I paid attention to them and I saw that our soldiers were looking at Ethem’s bandits disapprovingly. You know how they are, quiet, and knowing.

When Shevki said ‘quiet’; Jamil thought of Major Nuri. He hadn’t seen him since the morning. He asked, “Doctor, Have seen Nuri?”

“Nuri? Major Nuri? No, I haven’t seen him”

“I wonder where he is. I hope he is not sick.”

“You better go check.”

Shevki started to tell the story about how Anzavour hanged a lot of people in Gonen. “He ordered many Officers to be executed.”

“That’s how you know he is a bandit.”

“He ordered the execution of the Muftu in Gonen as well as the President of the local Rights Association. His men plundered the town.”

“Where is he now?” Munir asked.

Assos Temple of Athena

“He tried resisting our forces in Biga once more but when he realized that it was useless, he caught the ferry and went away.”

Jamil stood up and went outside. He asked the batman where Selahaddin was.

“Captain Selahaddin was asked to go to the telegram office urgently, Sir.”

“Where is the Commander?”

“He is with Ethem.”

“Have you seen Major Nuri?”

The Batman hesitated, “Sir, Nuri is in prison.”

“Did they put him in prison? Who ordered this? Why?”

“Tewfik ordered it.”

“What for?”

“Nuri didn’t salute him.”

“When did this happen?”

“They say Nuri didn’t salute Tewfik as he was leading his forces.”

“That’s too bad! Does the Commander know about this?”

“Yes, he knows, Sir.”

“Does Selahaddin know?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“So?”

“We couldn’t talk to Ethem, Sir. Selahaddin talked to Hafiz Huseyin and Hafiz advised us not to interfere. He fears, if someone interferes, they might put him in front of the firing squad. He advises we to wait a little and he promised to talk to Tewfik after things calm down.”

“Where is Nuri now?”

“He is at the Gendarmerie Division.”

“Are there any other prisoners there?”

“Yes, there are some Anzavour supporters.”

“Who is guarding the prison?”

“Ethem’s flag bearer, Haji Omer is guarding the prison; he is a tough man. Maybe you can talk to Ethem. We should let him know. We should tell him that Nuri has some…mental problems…he needs help.”

Jamil looked at the Commander’s room’s door for a minute, and then turned towards the stairs, walking fast. When he went on the road, he was thinking of the terror. He thought to himself ‘Whether we win or lose, we bring terror. Some of us have lived in fear for so many years, yet they still like terrorizing other people. We don’t know how to celebrate. That’s not human. Tewfik came to a big city like Bursa as if he was the conquering Commander and yet he got angry at a man who was sitting down in a corner silently. How is this even possible? Why would he even think about putting Nuri in prison?’ Jamil realized that it didn’t occur to the people of Bursa that they need to celebrate; it was a time for celebration. The roads were empty, people were still suspicious and they preferred to stay in their homes. As he was walking, he became angrier with every step.

As he was approaching the Gendarmerie Headquarters, he recognized Haji Omer sitting in front of the door. His huge body spread out over the chair and he was enjoying his water pipe. One leg was stretched on one chair and other leg was on the second chair. His arm was on the third one. Not even Yavuz Sultan Selim was as proud as him when he was returning as a Caliph from Egypt.

Haji Omer was from Kayseri. When he saw Jamil he stood up, “Oh Jamil Bey! It is nice to see you, Sir. I looked for you but couldn’t see you in the morning. Come, take a seat. I will order some tea and water pipe for you.”

Yavuz Sultan Selim

“Thank you, Omer. I don’t have time. I came to see a friend of mine.”

“Who is your friend?”

“I was informed that he is a prisoner here. Come with me.”

“Oh! Is that right? Who is that?”

“Come.”

Jamil entered the building and walked towards the detention room. Omer said, “Who is your friend? Oh! I know. It must be the Major that Tewfik Bey has ordered to be arrested.”

Jamil ordered the guard on duty, “Open the door!”

The bandit opened the lock in a hurry. Jamil entered. Anzavour’s men were afraid. They stood up immediately to salute Jamil.

Major Nuri was looking through the bars to the outside absentmindedly. The bars on the window had spider webs on them.

Haji Omer called, “Hey, Major! Don’t you see? You have a visitor!”

Nuri Bey turned to see who had come. He looked at Jamil, “Oh! Jamil! Did you come for me?”

For the first time since he met Major Nuri, Jamil clicked his heels and saluted him formally, “Yes, Major I came to apologize.”

“There is no need to…” Staff Major Nuri Bey was about the same age as Jamil; however, he looked much older. He smiled like a grandfather. “Mistakes happen, I was so happy to see our soldiers victorious. You don’t know how happy I was but I think happiness made me tired. I just stayed there. It is my fault. I should have stood up; I should have known it was my duty. I didn’t think of it… It is my fault. They are right. Probably they thought I wasn’t happy for our country on a day like that. All this happiness can make people do wrong. I know that joy can mislead our nation more than sorrow. You came to see me. Thank you very much.”

“You are welcome. Please get ready, we are leaving.”

Omer interrupted, “Oh, Jamil Bey. What about Tewfik Bey? He will punish us.”

He looked at the face of the bandit in such a way that the man swallowed and was quiet. Jamil’s face was filled with anger.

Jamil asked Major Nuri, “Sir, do you have your walking stick?

“I think I have it somewhere. Oh! Here it is.”

“Omer! Bring me the Major’s walking stick. I told you to bring it!”

Omer with his huge body hurried to get the walking stick. As he was giving it to the Major, Jamil took it and gave to the Major himself. “Here is your walking stick, Sir. I apologize again.” He said to Omer, “Tell Tewfik that I came by and took Nuri Bey out. If he wants to talk to me, I am at the headquarters, as always.”

“Oh, Sir, there is no need! There is nothing to talk about. You know Tewfik, I am sure he has forgotten about Nuri Bey. Would you like to have some tea?” Then he stopped talking and listened outside. There were trumpets calling the soldiers to order.

Jamil hired a carriage, let Nuri board first, and as he jumped on board, told the coachman to go to the Division headquarters quickly.

There were trumpet noises persistently calling everyone to order, there were messengers riding their horses hurrying to get to the places they were going. There were horse shoe noises on the stone pavement.

Everyone was alert when they reached the headquarters. The orders were short and strict. The Officers, Sergeants and the soldiers all had something to do. As Jamil was walking toward the stairs, Shaban stopped him, “Major, it is bad news.”

“What ? Is it the English? Did they attack?”

“Worse…This time it is inland, my hometown. It is in turmoil…This time our own Turks are revolting…”

“What are you talking about? Who are your own Turks?”

“My hometown! The Stupid folks of the inland region! They are revolting and they are revolting in a really bad fashion. They attacked and instantly killed our Division Commander.”

“Which Division Commander is that? Are you talking about Bekir Sami?”

“No, Sir, I am talking about the Commander of the 3^rd Cavalry Division! He was our Commander at the Sinai Front.”

“This is too confusing. Tell me from the beginning or else I am going to hit you!”

“Captain Selahaddin received a telegram from Ankara; they ordered Ethem to go to Bolu right away.”

“So Bolu is your home town? I don’t think so…”

“Bolu is our bordering neighbour, Sir! Turkmens live there, that’s why it is ours. Bolu, Gerede Duzce and Hendek all those areas are revolting against Ankara. There is mutiny everywhere. The boilers were carried to the town square.”

Bolu Cennet Lake

“What was that for? Are they preparing meals for the soldiers?”

“There wasn’t much time for that, Sir! Ethem ordered the merchants to open the Bazaar and he is telling them to bring meat and sausages to the square. They are cooking meals for Ethem’s men.”

“Is this for everyone?”

“No, Ethem’s men will be given freshly baked bread and they will have sandwiches with this meat and pastrami, then they are going on their way.”

“Is there enough for the soldiers?”

“No, there isn’t. This food is for Ethem’s bandits only. Those Bashibozouks! Our soldiers will have bulgur soup if they are lucky. The infantry will follow them. They are making preparations in the warehouses for the army’s needs. Ethem is giving orders. He wants the best hay for his horses. He is threatening he will hang people if the animal feed is not up to his standards.”

“Where is he now?”

“He is at Ulucami; he gathered all the big turbans to the Mosque.

“What is he doing there?”

“He is making the Hodjas witnesses to the message that he is sending to the Sultan. In his message he is letting Istanbul know that he already defeated Anzavour and advising the Sultan to get himself a better Pasha…. He told the Sultan not to send any more unworthy commanders to fight with him; he is letting the Sultan know that he is going to Bolu now and to beware of what will happen next when he returns from Bolu.”

Selahaddin called from upstairs so Jamil left Shaban and climbed the stairs. Selahaddin said, “Did you get the bad news?”

“No, what is it?”

“Colonel Mahmud got killed in Duzce by the rebellion.”

“You don’t say. How did this happen? Was he killed in action?”

“No, I think Mahmud was confident because of his Circassian origins but they tricked him. First they sent an envoy to him, that’s why Mahmud ordered the cease fire trumpets. Then he went out of the trenches and proceeded towards the enemy. When he was close enough, he realized that the other side were not meaning well. He realized what their intentions were and got the rifle from the Officer and fired. When he missed, the enemy shot and killed him.”

“I am sorry to hear this. He was a good friend of mine. He was very brave.”

“Upon hearing the news our Commander cried like a child. There is worse news; the resistance is spreading from Bolu towards Ankara. Ethem got the orders to go and attack them immediately!”

“I will ask the Commander’s permission to leave and join Ethem’s forces now.”

“We already talked to the Commander about this. It is impossible. We can’t leave Bursa. We have to guard the city. We don’t have enough soldiers here.

“Why did you gather the hodjas in the Mosque? Are they going to give counter Fatwa?”

“Yes!”

“Are they willing to do that?”

“Sure, they will issue a counter Fatwa. In fact, they are fighting one other to sign it first. You know those Hodja types as well as I do. They can’t resist to power.”

Selahaddin ran to open the coded telegram that was brought in by the batman. Jamil went out of the building.

When he went to the town square, he saw Ethem’s men lining in front of the boilers to get meat to put in their sandwiches. Once they got their food, they were returning to their horses. They had all rested in Bursa’s famous hotels. They shopped at the bazaar and enjoyed the thermal waters for the last couple of days. They have fresh clothes on. Since they changed their horses at every chance they got, their horses were quite handsome.

When Ethem’s Battalion Commanders came to the town square, the cavalry units were ready to leave.

Ethem bid farewell to the Commander and the Governor and told Jamil quietly, “I will ask for Ankara’s permission for you to join my units, even though I asked the Commander here, he refused to allow you to come with me.”

The horsemen were following Omer the flag bearer in an orderly fashion; two horses, side by side. They had their rifles across their shoulders. The silver of their saddles and knives were shining in the sun.

Jamil didn’t want to nod to Ethem’s older brother, Captain Tewfik, so he looked towards Lieutenant Shevki’s heavy Machine Gun Unit.

The regular army soldiers had patched clothes and ripped boots, however, they had the pride of real warriors in their faces. They weren’t defeated by the bandits. Jamil saluted those proud soldiers. He didn’t put his hand down until the last soldier who was carrying water, passed by.

The Heavy machine gun troops suddenly started singing the famous patriotic song of the Great War. The song echoed from the front of the troops to the end. They were walking on the dusty road.

Dr Munir said, “Ethem the Circassian defeated Anzavour the Circassian, and now he is going to crush the resisting Turks who are against the War of Independence. Do you understand that, Shaban?”

Shaban was behind. He was staring at Munir’s skinny neck with his one eye. He tried hard to understand. “Yes, Sir, I understand. How can I not understand?”

“Wow! Good for you, you are very clever.”

Since Munir said this in a Balkan accent, Shaban knew he was joking so he smiled. Then Dr. Munir got mad. “If you were back home I would kill you for laughing. Thank the Lord you are here!”

“I think it is best to be here on a day like this. Don’t you think, Doctor?”
“Don’t ask! If you were back home right now what would Ethem do to you?”

Shaban didn’t hesitate, “He would hang me, Sir! I am sure of it!”