Eastern Army Group (Ottoman Empire) Explained

See also: Eastern Army (Ottoman Empire).

Unit Name:	Eastern Army Group
Dates:	June 7^[1] – October 21, 1918^[2]
Type:	Army group
Patron:	Sultans of the Ottoman Empire
Battles:	Caucasus Campaign (World War I)
Notable Commanders:	Vehip Pasha (June 7 – June 29, 1918) Halil Pasha (June 29^[3] -October 21, 1918)

The Eastern Army Group of the Ottoman Empire (Turkish: Şark Ordular Grubu or Şark Orduları Grubu) was one of the army groups of the Ottoman Army. It was formed during World War I.

World War I

Order of Battle, June 1918

In June 1918, the army group was structured as follows:^[4]

Eastern Army Group (Ferik Vehip Pasha)

• Third Army, (Ferik Mehmed Esad Psaha)
  • VI Corps (Mirliva Hilmi Pasha)
    • 3rd Caucasian Division (Kaymakam Edib Bey)
    • 36th Caucasian Division (Kaymakam Hamdi Bey)
  • 5th Caucasian Division (Miralay Mürsel Bey)
  • 37th Caucasian Division (Miralay Köprülü Kâzım Bey)
  • Rumeli Detachment
• Ninth Army, (Mirliva Yakub Shevki Pasha)
  • I Caucasian Corps (Mirliva Kâzım Karabekir Pasha)
    • 9th Caucasian Division, 10th Caucasian Division, 15th Division
  • IV Corps (Mirliva Ali Ihsan Pasha)
    • 5th Division, 11th Division, 12th Division
  • Independent Cavalry Brigade

Order of Battle, September 1918

In September 1918, the army group was structured as follows:^[5]

Eastern Army Group (Ferik Halil Pasha)

• Third Army, (Ferik Mehmed Esad Pasha)
  • 3rd Caucasian Division, 10th Caucasian Division, 36th Caucasian Division
• Ninth Army, (Mirliva Yakub Shevki Pasha)
  • 9th Caucasian Division, 11th Caucasian Division, 12th Division, Independent Cavalry Brigade
• Army Of Islam (Mirliva ve Fahri Ferik Nuri Pasha)
  • 5th Caucasian Division, 15th Division

After Mudros

Order of Battle, November 1918

In November 1918, the army group was structured as follows:^[6]

• Ninth Army, (Mirliva Yakub Shevki Pasha)
  • 3rd Caucasian Division (Ahıska)
  • 9th Caucasian Division (south of Erzincan)
  • 10th Caucasian Division (Batum - moving to Constantinople)
  • 11th Caucasian Division (Hoy)
  • 36th Caucasian Division (from Third Army, Gümrü)
  • 12th Division (Serdarabad)
  • Independent Cavalry Brigade
• Army Of Islam (to October 27, 1918^[2])
  • 5th Caucasian Infantry Division (Bakü)
  • 15th Division (North Caucasus)

Notes and References

1. Edward J. Erickson, Edward J. Erickson, Order to Die: A History of the Ottoman Army in the First World War, Greenwoodpress, 2001,, p. 187.
2. Zekeriya Türkmen, Mütareke Döneminde Ordunun Durumu ve Yeniden Yapılanması (1918-1920), Türk Tarih Kurumu Basımevi, 2001,, p. 31.
3. Nâsir Yücer, Birinci Dünya Savaşı'nda Osmanlı Ordusu'nun Azerbaycan ve Dağıstan Harekâtı: Azerbaycan ve Dağıstan'ın Bağımsızlığını Kazanması, 1918, Genelkurmay Basım Evi, 1996,, p. 82.
4. Edward J. Erickson, Order to Die: A History of the Ottoman Army in the First World War, Greenwood Press, 2001,, p. 188.
5. Edward J. Erickson, Order to Die: A History of the Ottoman Army in the First World War, Greenwood Press, 2001,, p. 197.
6. Edward J. Erickson, Order to Die: A History of the Ottoman Army in the First World War, Greenwood Press, 2001,, p. 202.