Examples of the uniform and kit of 'the modern Turkish soldier' from 'Ambassador Morgenthau's Story' by Henry Morgenthau, American Ambassador to Turkey from 1913 to 1916.
The Modern Turkish SoldierIn the uniform and equipment introduced by the Germans. The fez - the immemorial symbol of the Ottoman - is replaced by a modern helmet.
"At the approach of the Russian Army, the Turks had moved out from Erzerum to block their path. They proved no match for the Russians. The Northern Turkish Corps was quickly flanked and put to flight. Two divisions of the Southern Turkish Corps were similarly disposed of. The Central Corps of the Russian and Turkish Armies fought a three days' battle at Koprikeui, January 16-18th, which resulted in a Russian victory. The line of the Araxes was forced and the Turks fled in wild disorder, constantly harassed by pursuing Cossacks. All the roads leading to Erzerum were blocked by discarded equipment, abandoned guns, and half-frozen stragglers."
German General Liman von Sanders wrote that Erzerum fell on the February 15, King (source for the above), that the Turks evacuated the city on the 16th after Siberian troops had taken all nine of the outer forts. The Russians captured a 'great quantity of military stores,' and 5,000 to 12,000 prisoners.
King's Complete History of the World War by W.C. King, page 211, copyright © 1922, by W.C. King, publisher: The History Associates, publication date: 1922
1916-02-18, 1916, February, Erzerum, Caucasus, Russo-Turkish war
