Hello,

I got information that several thousands of Bosniaks served in Turkish units during Gallipoli battle. They were mainly from Sanjak, Kosovo and Macedonia + Bosniaks who migrated to Turkey after occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Austro-Hungarian empire in 1878.

I also know that Bosniaks were forced to take Turkish names, therefore I doubt there is any written evidence about their presence at Gallipoli but would appreciate your assistance.

At the same time, I would like to mention that several thousands Bosniaks from Sanjak also served in Austro-Hungarian empire within Turkish units in the eastern front-line. They were volonters and called "djumurlije". I got few photos yesterday about that, was really excited.

Ahmed

Ahmed,

I do not recall having come across any references to Bosniaks in my reading on the Gallipoli campaign, however there is confirmation of the migration which you speak of – see the 'Handbook of the Turkish Army 1916' [8th Cairo edition, February 1916] which refers to
"… a steady influx of Moslem refugees from the Balkan Peninsula since the Russo-Turkish War, and still more since the war of 1912-1913."
There is also a note that "Moslem immigrants are exempt from military service for the first six years of their residence in the Empire." However, under the special circumstances of the war, it is further noted that, "Muhajirs, i.e. Moslem immigrants from countries no longer under Turkish rule, who were formerly temporarily exempted from service, have now been called out en masse."

It is interesting that you say you have information that this call out was early enough for them to see service in the Gallipoli campaign of 1915

If you would like to share some of the photographs which you mention, then I am sure that there will be an interest here

Best regards
Michael

Hi Mike,

When were Muhajirs mobilized to the Army?

There were volunteers from the Balkans who fought in Turkish army because they witnessed war attocities of Serbs, Montenegros and other armies in Sanjak, Kosovo, Macedonia during Balkan wars (1912-1913). They simply wanted to revenge, that's why I know they were there as volunteers but it would be interesting to see if they were enlisted as well.

It is difficult to track anything because Turks forced non-Turks to take Turkish names once they settled down in Turkey.