--- title: Conkbayırı Mehmetçik Inscription slug: conkbayiri-mehmetcik-inscription-7c27e url: /detay/conkbayiri-mehmetcik-inscription-7c27e type: article language: English entity: primary: Conkbayırı Mehmetçik Inscription type: article disambiguation: Conkbayırı Mehmetçik Inscription: Commemorates Turkish soldiers' sacrifice at Çanakkale, featuring 5 plaques detailing key battles. categories: - name: Travel And Tourism slug: seyahat-ve-turizm url: /kategori/seyahat-ve-turizm - name: Geography slug: cografya-2 url: /kategori/cografya-2 - name: History slug: tarih url: /kategori/tarih tags: - WorldWarI - HistoricalMonuments - MonumentsAndInscriptions - GallipoliCampaign - Conkbayırı - CulturalHeritage author: Ahsen Güneş created_at: 2025-08-16T11:49:54.318556+03:00 updated_at: 2025-09-10T13:35:15.347852+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/08/16/8Dv8x9QEB7Fuy0sqg809staxvGkFaBKc.png --- # Conkbayırı Mehmetçik Inscription ## KURE Information Cards ![h8WRXl3yrIotG631vi2QYSI4FRpeWzdO.webp](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/08/16/zf75vMdX20AMeFArPgR88Cr1P4Ni5G1P.webp) *Conkbayırı Mehmetçik Inscription* | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Type of Structure | Monument-Inscription (Consists of Five Plaques) | | War Context | Çanakkale Land Battles, April 25 – August 10 1915 | | Registration Status | Registered in 1980 by the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism | | Purpose of Construction | To Commemorate and Honor the Role of the Turkish Soldier in the Defense of Conkbayırı | | Year of Construction | 1970 (Design), 1980 (Registration) | | Designer | Ahmet Gülgönen | | Altitude | 261 meters | | Location | Conkbayırı,Türkiye,Çanakkale,Gelibolu Peninsula | ## Article Content The **Conkbayırı Mehmetçik Inscription** is a monumental structure located at **Conkbayırı**, one of the most critical fronts of the **Çanakkale Wars**, embodying the resistance and sacrifice shown by the [Turkish army](/en/detay/canakkale-6ea77/llms.txt). Consisting of five plaques, the inscription documents the strategic developments of the course of the war and commemorates the memory of the soldiers who were martyred. Built as a result of a competition held in 1970, the structure was registered and placed under protection in 1980 by the **Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism**. [YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PANQsW9IAvg) *Promotional Video (Çanakkale Tarihi Alan Başkanlığı)* ### **Geographical Location and Architectural Structure** The **Conkbayırı Mehmetçik Inscription** is located on the **Gallipoli Peninsula**, to the west of the road leading from **Cesarettepe**, **Kılıçbayırı**, and **Düztepe** to **Çimentepe**, north of the 261-meter-high hill. The inscription is situated at a strategic point on **Conkbayırı**. ### **Architectural Design** The monument is designed to symbolize a hand and consists of five separate plaques. This architectural approach carries a symbolic meaning representing unity and integrity. Designed by architect **Ahmet Gülgönen**, the project won a competition launched in 1970 and was brought to life by the Turkish Government. ### **Historical Events on the Plaques** #### **First Plaque: April 25, 1915 – Initial Intervention** On April 25, 1915, against the enemy forces landing at **Arıburnu**, the commander of the 19th Infantry Division, Staff Lieutenant Colonel **Mustafa Kemal**, on his own initiative, dispatched the [57th Infantry Regiment](/en/detay/57th-infantry-regiment-martyrs-cemetery-715b7/llms.txt) to the area. By ordering a bayonet charge to the coastal covering troops whose ammunition had run out, time was gained, and a reserve regiment was deployed to prevent the enemy from reaching **Conkbayırı**. #### **Second Plaque: Assault and Obedience to Orders** On the same morning, advancing with the 57th Regiment against the enemy, **Mustafa Kemal** showed his determination, which shaped the course of the battle, with his order: “I am not ordering you to attack, I am ordering you to die.” In line with this order, the assaults carried out resulted in the enemy being pushed back to **Cesarettepe**. #### **Third Plaque: August 6–9, 1915 – Renewed Assaults** On August 6, 1915, enemy forces, reinforced with new troops, launched another attack towards **Conkbayırı**. In the fighting that continued day and night, both sides suffered heavy casualties. By the evening of August 9, Turkish forces succeeded in halting the enemy just 25 meters from the **Conkbayırı** hills. #### **Fourth Plaque: August 10, 1915 – Counterattack** The counterattack carried out by the [Turkish army](/en/detay/canakkale-zaferi-9316c/llms.txt) was executed as a bayonet charge due to the proximity of the trenches. During this time, while Group Commander of Anafartalar, Colonel **Mustafa Kemal**, was in his observation post, a shrapnel ball struck his pocket watch, shattering it, but he remained unharmed. As a result, enemy forces retreated to **Ağıl Deresi**. #### **Fifth Plaque** The enemy forces’ attempts to capture **Conkbayırı**, split the Turkish forces in two, and reach the **Çanakkale Strait** were thwarted by the resistance of the Turkish soldiers. As a result of the battles in this area, the Turkish Army lost 9,200 martyrs, while enemy forces suffered around 12,000 casualties. ### **Cultural and Monumental Value** The **Conkbayırı Mehmetçik Inscription** is a symbol of resistance and sacrifice embedded in Turkish national memory. The plaques embody historical events and convey them to future generations, reflecting the strategic and human dimensions of the war in a comprehensive manner. ### **Protection Status** On November 14, 1980, the structure was registered by the **Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism** as a “cultural property to be protected.” Today, it is considered a historical monument and a cultural heritage asset. This registration is significant for preserving the architectural features and historical value of the structure. The **Conkbayırı Mehmetçik Inscription**, located in the area where the fiercest battles of the **Çanakkale Wars** took place, is a symbolic structure representing the resistance and determination demonstrated by the Turkish army. With its architectural structure, historical content, and cultural importance, this inscription is not only a monument but also a document witnessing one of the turning points in the history of the **Republic of Türkiye**. In this respect, it occupies a noteworthy place in both academic studies and cultural preservation policies. ## Academic Sources and References 1. Çanakkale Harbi. "Conkbayırı Mehmetçik Parkı Kitabeleri." Çanakkale Harbi, Last Accessed: April 16. https://www.canakkaleharbi.com/2019/05/18/conkbayiri-mehmetcik-parki-kitabeleri/. 2. Çanakkale Savaşları Gelibolu Tarihi Alan Başkanlığı. "Conkbayırı Mehmetçik Kitabeleri." Çanakkale Savaşları Gelibolu Tarihi Alan Başkanlığı. Last Accessed: April 16, 2025. https://canakkaletarihialan.gov.tr/tr/ziyaret/sehitlikveanitlar/conkbayiri-mehmetcik-kitabeleri. 3. "Conkbayırı Mehmetçik Kitabeleri - Gelibolu Tarihi Alan Başkanlığı." Gelibolu Tarihi Alan Başkanlığı YouTube Channel. Last Accessed: April 16, 2025. https://youtu.be/PANQsW9IAvg?si=J-fPxtgMv6-QWdaq.