Osmanlı Askeri Litaratürüne Katkı: Hikmet-i Harbiye

Translated by Güzeloğlu Ârâm, a translator working at the Tercüme Odası (Translation Office) during the reign of Mahmud II (1808-1839) whose personal life is not well documented, this work, titled “Hikmet-i Harbiye” (Philoso- phy of War), is a Turkish translation of Colonel Marquis de Chambray’s five-part treatise, “Philosophie de la Guerre,” a significant figure in French military history. Encompassing the general themes of changing warfare meth- ods and the positive and negative aspects of military systems, the first part of the book discusses military terminology, social classes within the military, the strength of armies, conscription, the attributes of a successful army, historical examples of the utility of mercenaries, the varying motivations for patriotism, general thoughts on conscription in major European nations, and examples of the proletariat serving as effective soldiers. In the second part, the book delves into the methods of in- spiring courage in units, emphasizing how these methods vary across different nations and even among the same people de- pending on circumstances. It also underscores the importance of preserving the customs and traditions of units unless abso- lutely necessary, the qualities of the military, the significance of soldiers’ discipline during critical times, and the motivation of military service. The third part explores the characteristics of commanders, highlighting the dual nature of command as both theoretical and practical. It discusses how the qualities of a commander vary according to circumstances, the minimum qualities re- quired of a commander, the idea that merit can be recognized through experience, and the characteristics of undisciplined leaders compared to regular army commanders. The fourth part delves into the command of armies, the rapid movement of troops, the interplay between war and diplomacy, the composition of armies under Napoleon Bon- aparte, the preparations necessary before engaging in battle, the advantages and disadvantages of offensive operations, and the considerations a commander of a large army must take into account before, during, and after a battle, whether on the offensive or defensive. The chapter also examines the moral factors affecting large armies and provides examples of renowned commanders such as Turenne and Conde. In the fifth and final part, the book focuses on fortifications, dis- cussing their purposes, the evolution of their role throughout history, the characteristics of offensive and defensive systems, the compatibility between fortifications and warfare systems, the state of European fortifications, comparisons between different countries, and the concept of a military capital. Centering on the changes in military structure up to the early 19th century, this work sheds light on a period of accelerating military modernization. It argues that war is not merely a mil- itary event but is also closely intertwined with human nature, society, and politics, thus proving to be a valuable resource in this regard.