Türk Dış Politikasındaki Gelişmelerin Türk Ordusunun Donatım ve Organizasyonuna Etkileri (1936-1945)

Abstract

This study has been prepared in order to reveal the effect of Hatay (Iskenderun Sandjak) issue and the World War II disaster, which emerged in the period between 1936-1945, on the equipment and organization of the Turkish Army. In these years when Turkey was on the brink of war, the aim of the Turkish foreign policy, shaped by the principle of "Peace at home, peace in the world." was to protect the national interests, territorial integrity and independence of the country and to keep it out of a possible war. For this reason, the management staff firstly benefited from the deterrent power of the army in order to counter the emerging threats to the security of the country. This fact has led to changes in the equipment and organization of the army, as this deterrence requires a strong army to be ready for war, which can withstand emerging threats at any time. The General Staff prepared and implemented a limited and regional offensive operation plan, taking into account the approaching World War II danger in the Hatay issue. In the Second World War, it prepared and implemented a general strategic defense operation plan in which the independence of the nation and the borders of the country would be protected under all circumstances, within the framework of the non-war/neutrality principle of Turkish foreign policy. This plan, which was implemented gradually depending on the developments of the war and the resources at hand, brought along new regulations in the organization of the Turkish army. The solution of the issue, which resulted in Hatay's accession to Turkey in 1939, laid the basis for the trilateral aid agreement signed by Turkey, which did not want to participate in World War II, with France and England. This treaty enabled the opportunity to provide military assistance while determining the principles of Turkey's relations with the allies and the axis during the war. During the period, the General Staff provided input to the shaping of foreign policy by preparing the operational plans, on the one hand, and by presenting the army's situation, needs and evaluations regarding the war to the government on the other hand. The deterrent power and situation of the Turkish army, which forms the basis of Turkey's national power element, has always been taken into account in the solution of the Hatay problem, which Atatürk called his personal issue, and in the foreign policy pursued by İsmet İnönü to avoid participating in the World War II. Due to the limited economic and technological infrastructure of the country, it was not easy to increase this power with only national resources, so foreign purchases and military aids have also been used.