1897 OSMANLI-YUNAN SAVAŞI’NDA GÖNÜLLÜ OSMANLILAR
THE VOLUNTEER OTTOMANS IN THE GRECO-TURKISH WAR OF 1897

Summary/Abstract: The Greco-Turkish War of 1897 broke out due to the annexation of Crete by the Greeks to instigate the Megali Idea and attacks carried out on the Ottoman borders. Greek administrators – who thought that they were superior to the Ottomans * were certain about winning the war; however, the war did not go as planned and in no time, the roads to Athens were lying naked in front of the Turkish soldiers. Meanwhile, big states, especially Russia, helped the Greeks, even eventually them to enter truce negotiations between Greece and the Ottoman Empire. The Empire employed volunteer soldiers as well as regular (nizamiye) and reserved (redif) officers alongside home guards (mustahfiz). Both Muslims and non-Muslims alike were drafted as volunteer soldiers. These volunteers ranged in age from children to elderly. Those whose applications were accepted were then sent to the fronts, accompanied off by big ceremonies and crowds – as well as large welcoming parties if they managed to return alive. They were also offered money, food, and clothing by the local authorities and local wealthy patrons. Both they the other soldier branches helped the Ottoman Empire succeed in battle around of its borders. Their loyalty earned them medals of different ranks alongside the special edition “Medal of Greco War.” In this study, we shall delve into the world of the Greco-Turkish War’s volunteers, and how they signed up, were dispatched, and came home.

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