Battle of Sarikamish (1920)

This article is about 1920 battle of Turkish Armenian war. For Caucasus Campaign battle in 1914, see Battle of Sarikamish.

The Battle of Sarıkamış was a conflict between the First Republic of Armenia and the Eastern Front of the Army of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey which was on September 29, 1920, at Sarıkamış. After the Sarikamish war signed the Armistice of Mudros, the Turks started the War of Independence and revolted, keeping the Armenians away from the Sarikamis front. Under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Kazim He directed Karabekir there, and as a result of a successful war, the Turks annexed Kars and other provinces to their territory. The Armenian soldiers who remained there were either killed or exiled. No exchange was found. Estimated Armenian soldier deaths were 1000.

Battle of Sarıkamış
Part of Turkish-Armenian War
Date September 29, 1920 Location Sarıkamış (present-day Kars Province, Turkey) Result Turkish victory
Belligerents
Armenia	Ankara Government
Commanders and leaders
Simon Vratsian Dr. Artashes Babalian	Kâzım Karabekir Osman Nuri Koptagel Halit Karsıalan
Strength
2,500 infantry 400 cavalry 70 machine guns and 18 cannons	Elements of the 12th division

Background

Main article: Turkish-Armenian War

In late September 1920 the Armenians initiated several attacks against Turkish forces in the area. On 24 September an Armenian force of at least 800 men, supported with nine machine guns, began an unsuccessful attack against the weak Turkish entrenchments in Bardız Şenkaya. The attack was repulsed and cost them 47 killed and several wounded. Additionally, two machine guns and ammunition were captured by the Turks. The Turks suffered eight killed and ten wounded during the attack. These attacks gave the Turkish commanders an insight into Armenian military capabilities.

Active Stage

The Turkish forces quickly defeated the Armenian troops in the town. The remaining Armenian forces retreated to the Kötek-Selim-Göle line and stayed there until 30 September.

Results

By September 29, Karabekir's forces had retaken Sarıkamış and the following day Kağızman.