Type Field Army | ||
 | ||
Active March 25, 1915 – November 21, 1918 Similar Third Army, Islamic Army of the Caucasus, First Army, Asakir‑i Mansure‑i Muhammediye, 18th Army | ||
The Fifth Army of the Ottoman Empire or Turkish Fifth Army was formed on March 24, 1915 and dissolved on October 1918. It was assigned the responsibility of defending the Dardanelles straits in World War I. The original commander of the army was the German military advisor to the Ottoman Empire, General Otto Liman von Sanders. The command passed to Vehip Pasha who became responsible for the Helles front while von Sanders still wielded considerable influence.
Contents
Order of Battle, April 1915
In Late April 1915, the army was structured as follows:
When the Allied campaign the Battle of Gallipoli, which aimed to seize the Dardanelles, commenced, the Fifth Army comprised two army Corps; the III Corps was defending the Gallipoli peninsula and the XV Corps was defending the Asian shore. The XV. Corps, also known as the "Asian Group." In addition, the 5th Division was positioned north of the peninsula under the command of First Army.
Order of Battle, Late Summer 1915
The number of divisions involved in the defence of the peninsula expanded to ten and an unattached infantry regiment and a brigade of cavalry before the August Offensive. In Late Summer 1915, the army was structured as follows:
A further three divisions arranged in the "Asian Group." The four divisions at Anzac made up the III Corps. (6 at Helles, 4 at Anzac) plus additional.
Order of Battle, August 1916
In August 1916, the army was structured as follows:
Order of Battle, December 1916
In December 1916, the army was structured as follows:
Order of Battle, August 1917, January 1918
In August 1917, January 1918, the army was structured as follows:
Order of Battle, June, September 1918
In June, September 1918, the army was structured as follows:
Order of Battle, November 1918
In November 1918, the army was structured as follows: