Ottoman field manuals in the age of military modernization (1826 - 1914)

This study is about Ottoman Army field manuals during the period from 1826 to 1914. Field manuals are one of the most important military texts of modern armies. This study seeks answer to the questions of how and why such field manuals were created in the first place and what type of work they are. After putting this forward, the study examines all the field manuals belonging to the Ottoman army. Within this context, the field manuals were examined under four different chapters based on their publication periods. The last chapter focuses on implementation of field manuals. In addition, other questions and answers regarding field manuals and specific to certain periods are also given within the chapters. When it comes to the Ottoman army, it is seen that the field manuals were mostly the translations of Western armies' manuals. French manuals were preferred from 1826 to approximately the beginnings of 1880s and later German manuals were preferred till the World War I and again the army was structured like these two armies. However, using the field manuals not originated from its own experiences by Ottoman army throughout the 19. century and at the beginning of the 20. century caused various problems. At this point, the study tries to find an answer to the question of why the Ottoman army did not develop its own field manual.