مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - A Demonstration of Determination by the Ottoman Empire in its Last Years: ‘The First Experience of Intercontinental Flying by Ottoman Aviators’

Abstract :

As a consequence of the Balkan Wars the Ottoman state lost almost 175.000 km2 of its territory in Europe. With the aim of distracting the public from the consequences of this loss and providing a psychological boost, a long distance flight was planned between İstanbul and Cairo. Admiration of French aviation, a consequence of the completion of a flight by the French from Paris, via İstanbul to Cairo, influenced the Ottoman state and its pilots. In consequence of these developments, a flight from İstanbul to Cairo was decided upon to display the power of Ottoman aviation to the public and the rest of the world and boost the morale of the Turks and the other Muslims who formed the majority of the Ottoman state’s citizens. The best pilots and most suitable aircraft were chosen for this mission in 1914. However, as aviation was in its very early stages and there was no experience of long distance flight, 3 pilots were martyred and the best aircraft were lost. Because the administrators of the state regarded the success of this flight as a matter of honour for the state and for public morale, this flight from İstanbul to Cairo linking three continents was completed. The public expressed great interest in this expedition and donations were collected to purchase new aircraft. This event was a sign that the state would never relinquish its determination, even under the worst conditions, in addition to being a milestone memory in the history of Turkish aviation.