TURKEY AND GERMANY AFFAIRS DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR

(1933-1945)
HISTORY AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

MELEK BILGILI SAKARYA UNIVERSITY TURKEY

CONTENTS

1. ABSTRACT

2. DEVELOPMENTS OF RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND GERMANY

3. ATTITUDES OF TURKEY AT START OF THE WAR

4. DURING THE WAR AFFAIRS OF GERMANY AND TURKEY

5. TURKEY DECLARED THE WAR TO GERMANY AT THE END OF WW II

ABSTRACT

Turkey, after leaving the First World War defeated, had entered a recovery process, which was not enough to reach expected level. In this recovery process, Turkish-German relationship has started to grow in political and economic areas. However, because of expansionist policy of National Socialist Party with leading of Adolf Hitler, in Germany of 1933, relationship between Turkey and Germany has gone into danger, in reply to expansionist attitude of Germans, Government of Turkey has gone over Turkish-Germany relationships again and finally in 1939 with coming off Germany, Turkey has improved economic and political relationships with Britain and France.

With starting of the Second Word War, Turkish Government could not show a certain attitude about being which side of the war. On the other hand, Turkish Government has flow situation of war closely, with not entering the war actually, in the end of the war took side in favour of victorious countries and declared war to Germany. In spite of Turkeys this attitude TurkishGermany relationships had not stopped and had continued.

At this study, Turkish-German relationships were examined in three parts which are Turkey and Germany affairs before the Second World War, during the war and after.

KEY WORDS: Turk-German relationship, 1933-1945 Turkey-Germany Relationship, Turk foreign policy, Second World War, International relationship

DEVELOPMENTS OF RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND GERMANY

That the nature of Turkeys relations with Germany should be very different compared to relations with Japan is self-evident. The gigantic distances separating Japan and Turkey obviously affect relations, so that economic and cultural relations play a much more prominent part than military and political relations. On the other hand, the transformation of Japan into a modern society in relatively very short time, and the modalities of this transformation have always excited great curiosity in Turkey. (For the sake of brevity, I am including the Ottoman Empire under the rubric of Turkey) There is, however, a similarity in that Turkey, in spite of its many bloody encounters with Austria, never fought against Germany as such on any major scale. Most probably, the fact that Germany and the Ottoman Empire were not contiguous and that the German Navy did not exercise much dominance in the Mediterranean, explains the peacefulness of these relations. Despite the German-Ottoman alliance in WW-I, in the interwar period Turkey and Germany were, in opposite camps. Turkey, thanks to its national struggle was able to avoid the partition and emasculation that had been ordained at Sevres. The peace treaty of Lausanne, 1923 that replaced it, had to large extent, satisfied Turkeys demands. As a result, she was in the Prostatus-quo camp. Germany, however, had had to accept the Versailles Treaty, which had reduced her territory, deprived her of her colonies, and burdened her with a huge indemnity and other restrictions. Therefore, she was in the revisionist camp. Nevertheless, Germany in the 1930s made it a matter of policy to buy most of Turkeys exports at good prices. The result was that most of Turkeys imports came from Germany. This exchange was affected though clearing agreements.

We can consider relationship between Turkey and Germany from 1924. After the First World War, one of the reasons that get closer was being defeat both counties. On April 1924, Turkey and Germany signed a treaty of alliance. Turkey and Germany formalized reciprocally political and diplomatic relations. In 1933, Turkey and Germany started to improve new strategies in their own domestic and foreign policy. At the same time from this year until 1939 that stared the Second World War and during the war, the most important particular of Turkey-Germany affairs was pursued independent from affairs of Western States and Soviet Union.

The economic affairs, which growing after 1924, were not duly concluded between Turkey and Germany. Therefore Germany wanted to take possession of material resources of Turkey by dependent on economically. To revive the amity of Turkey and Germany which, started before I. World War and turned into amity of weapons, was the best way. Germany improved TurkishGermany amity by using historical methods and press. And German military delegation constantly visited to Turkey. On the other hand, Turkish delegations were invited by Hitler to Germany. Between 1933 1936, Germany preferred to keep up close relations with Turkey, made dependent economically and found the cheap ways for raw materials benefit from Turkey instead of the war like II. Wilhelm. Therefore, Germany encouraged Turkey about the straits. Between Turkey and Germany commercial relations increased since 1933. Economic hegemony which, wanted to establish over Turkey since 1936, began to appear. Because of being noncommittal, Germany was not invited to the Montreux Conference. Therefore Germany did not approval therewithal, closely followed the negotiations and sent an observer because of being related with future of Western States. After the signing of Montreux Agreement in 26 February 1937, Germany did not approval a few decisions which ones about passing the warship of Soviet from the Mediterranean Sea. After giving again the right to arbitration to Turkey about the Straits, Turkey gained importance in south-eastern Europe. Thats why; Soviet Union, Britain and Germany made an effort for gaining of Turkeys amity. As well as political relations also other relations which, like cultural, was quite close. Such as, experts from Germany were coming to Turkey at the same time, Turkish students were going to Germany in order to study. Also German engineers and technician were working at industrial facilities which were established by Russia. Turkish students who studied in 1938 at Germany were about 3500.

ATTITUDES OF TURKEY AT START OF THE WAR Everything seemed to be going well when the whole world was thunderstruck by the MolotovRibbentrop Pact (1939). Negotiations between France and Britain on the one hand and the Soviet government on the other, had been progressing when it seems that Stalin suddenly concluded that the Western powers were playing a game, that they did not intend to build an alliance with Soviets, and that their real aim was to bring about a German-Soviet war. Thereupon, the Soviets made a deal with the Germans in order to stave off their first onslaught and thus gain time. The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact put Turkey in a predicament, because the Soviet Union thus had suddenly joined the revisionist camp. Indeed, Foreign Minister kr Saraolus visit to Moscow on September 25, 1939 was a failure. The Soviets were demanding the joint defence

of the Dardanelles, and a revision of the Montreux regime (1936). This led to the Turkish-FrenchBritish alliance an September 19, 1939. If Turkey were to be attacked, the other two powers would come to the aid of Turkey. If there should be war in the Mediterranean, or if France and Britain should be involved in war to defend Greece and Romania, Turkey would come to the aid of its allies. No provision of the Treaty would be construed to force Turkey into an armed conflict with the Soviet Union. Thus, so long as the Soviet-German Pact stood, Turkey maintained its neutrality. Because Bulgaria was a German ally and because Greece was invaded by Germany, Turkey became Germanys neighbour. When Germany asked for a non-aggression pact, Turkey concurred and on June 18, 1941, this pact was signed. This was four days before Germanys declaration of war on the Soviet Union Paraphrases whose Americans comment about speeches of nn and Saraolu indicated that even before the war Turkey will continue humanistic politics which did not accept to prejudiced scrimmage until end of the war. We can mention briefly according to opinions of nn international atmosphere that before the Second World War. There was distrust environment. Turkey will get closer to any solutions which will ensure international security. But the main aim of this solution should being guarantee freedom and independence rights of more smaller countries than Turkey. And getting passive the small groups by more bigger never will be accepted. Looking for peace of Turkey directed to establish a common front with countries which have the same principles and aims. This condition is explaining entrance of Turkey to the Balkan and Sadabat Pact. Turkey got alliance with Britain and did not hesitate to establish new relations that about own security. Turkey interested in security of neighbours and was considering that may return conditions which threatening in future. Inn indicated common interest about security and welfare of Turkey and Soviet Union by draw attention to relations each other. Also relations are good with France. If new fight starts except for Turkeys requests, Turkey will contend with countries which have common interest and principles in spite of whole risks. According to Inns speeches in London Daily Telegraphy and Morning Post, Turkey and Britain signed mutual assistance treaty. And there are needs both countries to each other. Also If Britain get bad at Mediterranean Sea, Turkey will get hard sledding Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sukru Saracoglu mentioned at Parliament peace benefits that bring to humanity. But Turkey is ready to any war or victory. Turkey tried to maintain peace with policy of neutrality. But now there are some differences. Anymore, will not be neutrality about those assets of some countries was disappeared by make trickery. Because of events in Europe, Turkey made new decisions about own security. Occupation of Albania caused being of Turkey in side of peace.

German press criticized the Turkey-Britain Mutual Assistance Treaty. Therefore, Saracoglu exemplified the Main Kampf and said that Hitler advised to Germans collaborate with Britain. Something that is useful for Germans why not for Turkish also?

Turkey, France and Britain collaborated at Abisina War, Montreux and Nyon Conference. Saracoglu said that All international events found these two powers at the same time. by drawing attention to close relations of Soviet Union and Turkey. Both countries reacted at the same way to visiting of Potemkin. Balkan Pact was preventative for peace that area. But Turkey intended getting along friendly with all powers including Germany and Italy. Finally, Turkey made decision to take place referred to as peace front with Britain and France in 1937s. While applying balance policy to Germany and Italy, entrenched oneself through the agency of Balkan and Sadabat Pacts. About the Straits Turkey did not make concessions. Already this attitude about straits has continued until today. Turkey and Western countries stumbled in only one point that Soviet Union got alliance with Germany. This event dismayed Turkey until 1941. The condition is over national interests and ideologies. Turkey, who knows what happen the environment, continued peaceful policy and sometimes claimed that will enter to the war because of international policy and agreements. But the balance policy will continue until 1945.

DURING THE WAR AFFAIRS OF GERMANY AND TURKEY In Spring of 1941, Germany demanded Turkish-German agreement. Ribentrop, who is German Minister of Foreign Affairs, requested agreement that has rights about passing in transit soldiers and equipment. In exchange for this, he advised changing frontier of Turkey-Bulgaria in favour of Turkey and giving one of the Aegeans Islands to Turkey. Some advices like these were given by Britain. Turkey indicated to Germany that did not want to contradict in agreement with Britain ones. And at these conditions was singed Turkish-German non-aggression agreement. After this agreement Germany, who protect own south side, attacked to Soviet Union. At the same time Britain declared unconditional to Soviet. At this period while Turkey get close to certain neutrality, was saying that is benefit from them who making war. Towards the end of 1942, after return the fortune of the war to in favour of the Allies, Turkey was being tend to Allies while protecting own neutrality. Policy which established over Treaty of Turkish-British and Turkish-German continued to take aim at being Turkey outside of the war during not the aggression to Turkey. Especially, Turkey used the last substance of this treaty during the war and stayed away from war beside of Britain and France.

1943 was the most critical year for Turkey. Precedence was at side of allies and they made pressure to Turkey in order to implement the obligations. On the other hand, as well as axis forces passed to defend, they were close to damage to Turkey. From that event on, Britain began to apply moral blackmail to Turkey. Because of growing pressure, Turkey accepted to enter to the war as being principle. After that Turkey should stand on the insufficiency of military preparations. This is the diplomatic line of defence when it starts to crack open rulers of Turkish foreign policy can contribute concretely began to argue about a new front in the Balkans. Although this proposal was defended strongly by Churchill, side of the Turkish was known absolutely that the United States and the Soviet Union were opposed to the opening "second front" at Balkans. This is a very low probability of realization of the idea that the facade of the Balkan Turkish statesmen who will repeat this operation several times so that they are ready to participate in good faith in the one hand, you have gained on the other hand would be emphasized. So that the critical period of the war plans of the Allies will provide optimal benefit to be left behind. Ally collected in Casablanca summit meeting in Germany "unconditional surrender" policy, which was adopted as a state policy in Europe, the single most powerful and important for Turkey to be a balance that will bring the establishment of the Soviet Union would disappear. nn and Churchill agreed in order to Turkeys participating to the war at Adana Conference. However, contributions, which were for joining to the war, have been concluded to Turkey thus, would give an important time. In 2 August 1944, Turkey broke off diplomatic relations with Germany. This movement was presented to the Western Allies and the Soviets as proof of Turkeys loyalty to alliance obligations. In 20 February 1945, Peterson, Ambassador of the British, reported to Hasan Kaya, Minister of Foreign Affairs that has to proclaim to Germany and Japan in later than March 1 for Turkeys participating to the UN Conference. As a result, Turkey declared war on these two countries 23 February 1945.

TURKEY DECLARED THE WAR TO GERMANY AT THE END OF WW II The second motive may have been the unsavoury prospect of Allied troops coming to Turkey to support its war effort. This might have entailed a certain amount of intervention in Turkeys internal affairs. If we consider that Soviet troops might also have been among them, Turkeys repugnance becomes easier to understand, as the Soviets had evinced territorial claims regarding Turkey. It is to be remembered that the Germans, even in their retreat, seemed to lack neither the means nor the determination to fight.

As the final German defeat became imminent, Turkey made certain moves in support of the Allies. In 6 June 1944 was the date of the Normandy landing. On May 26, Turkey had decided to end strategic chrome exports to Germany. In 15 June 1944, Numan Menemenciolu, the Foreign Minister who was known for his pro-German sympathies, resigned. Again in June, German merchant ships passing through the Straits, which probably often carried military material or personal, began to be searched. In 2 August 1944, diplomatic relations with Germany were ended. No doubt the active encouragement of the allies played a certain part in these moves. At the beginning of February 1945, the Big Three, represented by Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin, met in Yalta. It was decided that to be considered an Associate Nation in planned United Nations, organization, and thus to be able to participate in the San Francisco Conference, should be conditional on a declaration of war on Germany and Japan before March 1945. On February 20, Peterson, the British Ambassador in Ankara, communicated this decision to the Turkish Government. In 23 February 1945, the Turkish Grand National Assembly decided by a unanimous vote of 401 members to declare war on Germany and Japan (54 members were absent). During the debate, Foreign Minister Hasan Saka said that the British Ambassadors advice had been thoroughly examined by the government and that it had been decided to accept it as being in keeping both with the alliance the governments policy. Prime Minister kr Saraolu, on his part, declared that the Turkish Republic had from the very first minutes of danger placed its word, arms and heart on the side of democratic nations and had all along pursued that policy. Now, one more step was being taken to officially join the ranks of the Allies where Turkey had already been in practise. MP Mmtaz kmen pointed out that all of the neighbours of the Soviet Union (this great friend) expect Turkey had joined the opposite side or given right of way to the armies invading that country. The Soviets heroic stand at Stalingrad had been facilitated by the fact that that the Straits and the Caucasian frontier were in friendly hands. Had it not been for Turkey, the result of at El-Alamein might also have been dubious. He also asserted Turkeys basic policy as being Turkish-Soviet friendship. kmens point about Turkeys military contribution to the Allied cause was also taken up by Independent Group leader Ali Nihat Tarlan and emseddin Gnaltay. Rasih Kaplan want even further, asserting that by keeping her armies ready for war, Turkey could be considered to have been at war. In the newspaper Akam, Necmettin Sadak (February 24) pointed out that the proposition to declare war on Germany had not been made to the main neutral countries, and that therefore, it was a kind of privilege. Nadir in Cumhuriyet, the same day, said that they were sincerely together with the freedom-loving nations. Retired General H. Emir Erkilet, who wrote a column in the same paper and who had displayed pro-German sympathies during the war (at one point, he had visited the German front in Russia) was now writing about Soviet Russias Military Might. In the unsigned column, titled Political Report, it was asserted that the Turkish nation would

have nothing to do with Germany, which claimed racial superiority and lebensraum and thereby refused other nations rights, invaded their territory and turned the world into a prison. The same was true of Japan, which, claiming to establish an area of prosperity, enslaved nations and strangled the ideals of freedom and independence. The Turkish nation was democratic front. According to the report of Anotolian News Agency, The Times on February 25, welcomed in its leading article Turkeys decision, emphasizing Turkeys consistently friendly attitude throughout the war and pointing out that Turkeys key position in the area fully entitled her to participate in the discussions concerning the future of the Balkans and the Aegean. This, in short outline, is the short of Turkeys declaration of war on Germany.

CONCLUSON
Turkey had restarted to relations which caused negative conclusions with Germany after 1924. But she determined to make any more mistakes like in the past. Indeed, Turkey considered a solid legal basis in treaties that signed diplomatic and economic fields. This attitude did not give a privilege to any side and observed relation of mutual interest as well as helping balance and do not cause addiction. It came useful in both countries and between 1923 - 1933 years of good relations. Between years of 1923-1933, Turkish-German relations established on the legal foundations. And these period was years of economic relations and profits for both countries that positive effect on the world and regional peace. Turkey utterly disturbed about Germany's expansionist politics, world peace and security policy lands. Turkey revealed the attitude extremely close to the war in mid-1939. Germany created one hand by improving economic relations in favor of own side during 1936-1938. to Turkey was concern that and in 1939 breaking with Germany then felt the need to development economic and political relations with Britain and France.

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