Faik Pasha

Faik Pasha (1876 – 30 August 1916), also known as Ahmed Faik, Süleyman Faik or by his nickname Çolak Faik, was a general of the Ottoman Army, and the grandmaster of Freemasonry in the Ottoman Empire.

Military career

After graduating from Kuleli Military High School, Faik entered the Ottoman Imperial School of Military Engineering (Mühendishane-i Berrî-i Hümâyûn). He subsequently graduated from the Ottoman Military College as a staff captain on 17 January 1900, after which he was appointed to the island of Sisam (now known as Samos). In 1909, when he was a lieutenant colonel (Kaymakam), he was assigned to Debre Mustarrıflığı.

Balkan Wars

He served during the Balkan Wars as Chief of Staff of the VII Corps of the Western Army. The commander was Mirliva Fethi Pasha, who was killed in action while trying to stop the withdrawal of Ottoman soldiers from Koçişte Hill near Monastir in 1912. Faik Bey was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel for his efforts during the battle. He was one of the few successful Ottoman officers of the army during that war. Faik Bey was made commander of 19th Infantry Division. In 1912, the division fought the Greeks in Yanya (now known as Ioannina). Faik Bey became pasha and the commander of the Independent Cavalry Division.

He fought during the Battle of Gully Ravine (28 June – 3 July 1915), which was a very bloody battle that resulted in a large number of Ottoman casualties. The casualties of the 3rd Battalion, 70th Regiment, on 2 July 1915, amounted to six officers killed, four wounded and 158 personnel killed. In addition, a further 285 were wounded.