I. Dünya Savaşı Döneminde Kafkasya’da Bulunan Türk Esirleri
Turkish Prisoners in Caucasus During the World War I

Summary/Abstract: The Ottoman Empire made bloody battles with Russia on the Caucasus Front and gave heavy losses during the World War I. Thousands of soldiers were taken prisoner by the Russians. The prisoners were first questioned behind the scenes and were sent to the concentration camp in Erzurum after the necessary registration procedures were completed. After staying here for a few days, those who with good health were put on the trains and sent to Tbilisi. Those in need of treatment were dispatched to quarantine camps. After the treatment process was completed, these people were sent to Tbilisi, too. The prisoners who had stayed in Tbilisi for a while continued on their way to Azerbaijan. There were those who remained in Tbilisi and were living in bondage. The largest camp of prisoners in Azerbaijan was Nargin Island, an island in the Caspian Sea south of Baku. Thousands of soldiers and civilians have been in captivity for many years in the island, the largest concentration camp in the Caucasus. The life conditions of the camp were extremely heavy. There was no vegetation and water on the island, which was described by the prisoners as “Hell Island”. Water was regularly brought from Baku, but not enough for the prisoners. Many prisoners who could not stand the living conditions, did not live in the house. Many institutions, organizations and individuals in Azerbaijan have worked to improve the situation of prisoners. Charity collection, trying to improve the area where they live, and distributing food and clothes are some of the activities for prisoners. The camp, which was opened in the spring of 1915, continued its presence on 15 September 1918 until the Ottoman army entered Baku.

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