Notes pertaining to the period extending from the organization of the
2nd
Fortress Artillery Regiment in Erzurum to the delivering of
Erzurum by the Turkish Forces on March 12, 1918
In mid-December 1917, the Russian Caucasus Army withdrew from
the front at its own discretion; without the permission of the Army
Command or of the Supreme Command.
The Erzurum Fortress Artillery Regiment retreated together with the
army. Only 40 officers form the Fortress Artillery Regiment, and the
administrative staff at the Deveboynu6
Fortified Area Command
remained.
These officers remained there to take care of the guns that were
deserted by the soldiers. Other officers had also left. There were
more than 400 guns at the fortified positions. There were no forces
to pull the guns from the region. Guns had to be left in their
positions. The officers dominated by the ideal of mission and honor
remained with the guns. They were waiting for the arrival of new
troops or for the orders to be issued by the Supreme Command.
The 2nd Erzurum Fortress Artillery Regiment was set up with the
remaining officers of the 1st Regiment.
6 A passage between the Erzurum and Pasinler plateaus.