95 years have passed since Sardarapat battle
16:13 - 26.05.13
Ninety-five years ago these days the Armenian nation celebrated one of
its glorious victories in history, stopping the Ottoman army's advance
into Eastern Armenia and preventing the nation's complete destruction.
The Battle of Sardarapat, which took place from 21 until 27 May 1918,
was between the Armenian regular troops and militia, and the Turkish
military units that had invaded the country.
The Soviet Russian government, which came to power after the 1917
Bolshevik Revolution, announced that the country was withdrawing from
World War I. The situation for the Armenians grew extremely dangerous
after the Russian troops quit the Caucasian military front. The
Armenian military corps units had to confront the Turkish forces all
alone. The situation gave an advantage to Turks, who launched military
operations in February 1918 (violating an earlier agreement signed in
Yerznka) in an attempt to seize not only the Western Armenian
provinces occupied by Russia but also Eastern Armenia. The Turkish
Army invaded Alexandropol (Gyumri) on May 15 after getting hold of the
fortress cities of Erzurum and Kars,
.
Aram Manukyan, who was the de-facto dictator of the Yerevan province,
undertook the region's protection. He issued an order for appointing
Russian Army's Major General Movses Silikyan (the commander of the
Armenian corps' Yerevan division) the commander of Sardarapat (which
is 40 km of Yerevan). Major-General Tovmas Nazarbekyan was tasked wit
heading the troops in the direction of Vanadzor. Drastamat Kanayan
(better known in history as Dro), a military commissar of the Armenian
corps, was appointed a front commander near the Aparan city.
The first group launched its attack on May 21. The Turkish troops had
an infantry division a shock brigade, and a battalion of engineers, as
well a regiment of riders and an artillery (with 50 canons).
The Turkish army retreated after heavy losses, thus suffering a
crucial defeat in the battle.
Outstanding heroes in the Battle of Sardarapat were Lieutenant-General
Daniel Bek-Pirumyan (First Republic), Major General Pogos
Bek-Pirumuan, Deputy Colonel Karo Hasanpashyan, Captain Hovhannes
Baghramyan (who later became a USSR marshal) and many fedayeens
(voluntary fighters) .
Around 8,500 Armenians and 500 Yezidi partisans are known to have
taken part in the battle. The first Republic of Armenia was proclaimed
on May 18, 1928. The monument complex eternalizing the Sardarapat
heroes was built in 1968 (author: Rafael Israelyan).
Armenian News - Tert.am
From: Baghdasarian
16:13 - 26.05.13
Ninety-five years ago these days the Armenian nation celebrated one of
its glorious victories in history, stopping the Ottoman army's advance
into Eastern Armenia and preventing the nation's complete destruction.
The Battle of Sardarapat, which took place from 21 until 27 May 1918,
was between the Armenian regular troops and militia, and the Turkish
military units that had invaded the country.
The Soviet Russian government, which came to power after the 1917
Bolshevik Revolution, announced that the country was withdrawing from
World War I. The situation for the Armenians grew extremely dangerous
after the Russian troops quit the Caucasian military front. The
Armenian military corps units had to confront the Turkish forces all
alone. The situation gave an advantage to Turks, who launched military
operations in February 1918 (violating an earlier agreement signed in
Yerznka) in an attempt to seize not only the Western Armenian
provinces occupied by Russia but also Eastern Armenia. The Turkish
Army invaded Alexandropol (Gyumri) on May 15 after getting hold of the
fortress cities of Erzurum and Kars,
.
Aram Manukyan, who was the de-facto dictator of the Yerevan province,
undertook the region's protection. He issued an order for appointing
Russian Army's Major General Movses Silikyan (the commander of the
Armenian corps' Yerevan division) the commander of Sardarapat (which
is 40 km of Yerevan). Major-General Tovmas Nazarbekyan was tasked wit
heading the troops in the direction of Vanadzor. Drastamat Kanayan
(better known in history as Dro), a military commissar of the Armenian
corps, was appointed a front commander near the Aparan city.
The first group launched its attack on May 21. The Turkish troops had
an infantry division a shock brigade, and a battalion of engineers, as
well a regiment of riders and an artillery (with 50 canons).
The Turkish army retreated after heavy losses, thus suffering a
crucial defeat in the battle.
Outstanding heroes in the Battle of Sardarapat were Lieutenant-General
Daniel Bek-Pirumyan (First Republic), Major General Pogos
Bek-Pirumuan, Deputy Colonel Karo Hasanpashyan, Captain Hovhannes
Baghramyan (who later became a USSR marshal) and many fedayeens
(voluntary fighters) .
Around 8,500 Armenians and 500 Yezidi partisans are known to have
taken part in the battle. The first Republic of Armenia was proclaimed
on May 18, 1928. The monument complex eternalizing the Sardarapat
heroes was built in 1968 (author: Rafael Israelyan).
Armenian News - Tert.am
From: Baghdasarian