I’M NOT THINKING OF MYSELF

Medical service was in difficult condition in Gallipoli. They were in need of even tincture of iodine and bandages. There were only a few German commanders who were sent to Gallipoli. A hospital was built for the Germans on Sedd-el-Bahr. It was decided to bring wounded Turkish soldiers who were under the command of Cafer Tayyar Pasha to this new hospital.

Cafer Tayyar Pasha and the German Commander, Liman Von Sanders were walking in the hospital, Suleyman Numan, Army Medicare Inspector, arrived. He looked sad because he learnt something a moment ago.

‘Wounded soldiers want to go to the other hospital where their friends stay. I told them that they need to be operated. They accepted it but they continued begging.’ Said Suleyman Numan.

General Liman was surprised and wanted to see these soldiers. They saw a soldier who was wounded in the middle of his chest. And he said:

‘You’re going to have an operation and the surgeons will take the bullet from your chest. Don’t worry. You’re going to be OK.’

The soldier was in despair. ‘Sir, I’m not thinking of myself. We were 10 soldiers in our team. Four of us are martyr now. The others are wounded. Only four of us were brought here. If this hospital is better than the other hospital, bring our friends here. Otherwise we want to go to the other one. What is the difference between them and us?’

Rakibe Ergul & Seda Akbas
From 9K Etimesgut Anatolian High School Ankara / TURKEY