Sergeant Mehmet Memorial
It is one of the first four Turkish monuments built in 1919 in memory of Mehmet Sergeant and 25 privates, to the north of the road on Cesaret Tepe. In 1934, the "Mehmetçik" relief writing covered with marble was added to the monument. Until the Martyrs Monument was built, ceremonies were held in front of this monument. In fact, this monument was originally named “19. Division”, and in later years it was named “Mehmetçik Monument”, “Mehmet Sergeant Monument” monument.
The Anzac offensive, which started after the heavy artillery fire of the British Navy on the morning of April 26, 1915, was stopped in about an hour thanks to the extraordinary and selfless resistance of the 57th Regiment, which had suffered heavy losses, and the enemy, who wanted to reach Flat Hill, was once again thrown back.
The Turkish offensive, which started at 10:00 on April 27, 1915, with the 64th Regiment's arrival at the front line, advanced despite the intense artillery bombardment of the enemy navy and heavy casualties, and the troops of the 57th Regiment and 64th Regiment recaptured the Cesaret Tepe - Bombaridge line. It is known that Mehmet Sergeant and his friends, one of the personnel of the 64th Regiment, became one of the symbols of heroism shown by the Turkish soldiers during the bloody struggles on Cesaret Tepe. Mehmet Sergeant, who took over the command after the martyrdom of the team commander, took back the lost trench in Cesaret Tepe with his friends. Despite encountering intense infantry and artillery fire from the enemy, Mehmet Sergeant and his friends managed to hold this trench.
Who is Sergeant Mehmet?
He was born in Safalı Village of Çiçekdağı district of Kırşehir in 1891. He was drafted into the army in 1913 and was promoted to the rank of "Lieutenant" on August 1, 1915, due to his outstanding services at the Çanakkale Front. After the First World War, he also participated in the War of Independence. He was awarded the Medal of Independence in 1923. He took the surname "Canpolat" in 1934 and died on January 25, 1972.
