Menzil Services in Ottoman Expediation Organizations and in The First World War

Logj？stic services (consisting of supply, maintenance, transportation and medical services), has been the most decisive factor contributing to armies’ victories throughout history. Logistics in the Ottoman Army can be investigated in two phases: the first being campaign organization, from the foundation of the Ottoman Empire to the Balkan Wars and the second being Logistics (Menzil) services consisting of supply and evacuation activities. Regulations governing Logistics (Menzil) activities were put into practice in 1911 and were known as “Menzil Regulations”. This article studies the logistics (menzil) services provided in the rear guard during military campaigns – deficiencies in which have been seen as one of the reasons of defeat. With this aim in mind, Menzil Services Regulations, Turkish General Staff archive documents and many pieces of memorabilia written on the centenary of the First World War were used in this study