Kazım Özalp (1880 in Veles, then Ottoman Empire - June 6, 1968, Ankara, Turkey) was a Turkish military officer and politician, who was one of the leading figures in the Turkish War of Independence.

[edit] Biography

Born in Veles, today in the Republic of Macedonia, he graduated from the Ottoman military school in 1902 and completed the War school in 1905. Kazım Özalp was involved to 31 March Incident in 1909. He was a military commander during Balkan wars. During the Armenian Genocide he was Commander of the Gendarmerie in Van. In this function he was directly responsible to the Ministry of Interior. In 1917, he was promoted to the rank of a colonel. He was the military commander to organize resistance against the occupation of Izmir. During the Turkish War of Independence, he fought at several fronts. In 1921, Kazım Özalp became General for his success at the Battle of Sakarya.

Already a member of the first term of the parliament of the newly established Republic as Deputy of Balıkesir Province, he served as the Minister of Defense in several cabinets from 1921 to 1925, and later from 1935 to 1939. He was elected Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly from 1924 to 1935. In 1950, he was elected to the parliament as Deputy of Van Province. He retired from active politics in 1954.

Kazım Özalp wrote his memoires in his book Milli Mücadele (Turkish War of Independence). He died on June 6, 1968 in Ankara. His remains were transferred to the Turkish State Cemetery.

[edit] References

• Who is who (Turkish)