“It was necessary for us, of course, after the rupture with Constantinople, to reorganise the whole army. The Pasha was forced to call in officers to train companies, even irregulars. Ali Fuad commanded in the North; Refet Pasha in the South. At the first battle we had two big guns only!
AGHA AGLOU AHMED BEY.
Director of the Angora Press.
He sent a charming message to the author of this book complimenting her on her courage.
p. 224
“The work went on day and night: collecting and training men, making or repairing arms and munitions, gathering metal—often from railway lines. No one thought of rest till all was ready in numbers and construction. We had ten thousand men in July, 1920, we are four hundred thousand to-day! We obtained four hundred and fifty big guns, and a fleet of aeroplanes from the Greeks; a thousand machine-guns, besides clothing, tents, horses and mules, from the English.
“Now we have no grounds for fear, though you in England will not attempt to realise our Mosul figures: Turks, 150,000; Kurds, 450,000; Arabs, 30,000; Nestorians, 30,000. The Kurds wish to unite with us. The Nestorians will fight, either as independent allies or under Turkish officers.”
“Colonel Mougin says that your army is the best officered in the world,” I said.
“Our Staff is composed of picked men with great experience and knowledge; the officers have been chosen with great care. We are young, energetic, well-trained, and, above all, fired with enthusiasm for the cause.
“There is no calling more honoured than that of the army. None may marry without the consent of his superior officer.”
“Can he marry a Christian?” I asked.
He hesitated a moment, and then replied: “It isn’t done.”