Constantinople (Istanbul), the capital and largest city of the Ottoman Empire, was subjected to several air raids during World War I by British aircraft between 1916 and 1918. On 9 March 1916, three British planes on a reconnaissance mission flew above Istanbul and dropped a small amount of bombs. This was followed by an air raid on 12 April 1916, when two British planes, departing from the island of Imbros in the Aegean Sea, released a total of 11 incendiary devices on the aircraft hangars in Yeşilköy and on a munitions plant in Zeytinburnu. Propaganda leaflets were also disseminated over the city.
History In some of the strategic bombing raids in Istanbul, civilians were also killed or wounded, with damage to their properties. The British aircraft were deployed to positions in the aerial hinterland of Istanbul and the Turkish Straits, namely to the North Aegean Islands belonging to Greece, in particular Lemnos, Thasos and Imbros (the latter was a part of the Kingdom of Greece from 1913 to 1923, when it was ceded to Turkey), from where they would perform combat and bombing missions. Thus, the Minister of War, Enver Pasha, sent a threatening note to the United Kingdom for protesting the air strikes and civilian casualties.
The bombings led to the extension of an electric power line to the headquarters of the Ottoman Aviation Squadrons in Yeşilköy to speed up communication; to the transfer of more experienced pilots to the aviation squadrons; to the establishment of the İstanbul Muharebat-ı Havaiyye Komutanlığı (Istanbul Command of Air Defense); and to the acknowledgment by the Ottoman government that the danger was much greater than previously thought.
The government took measures to protect the civilian population from the bombing raids, but in many cases it failed; this led to increased government censorship of news reports about the casualties and public resentment. An effective reconnaissance network was created, which applied the following principle: whenever enemy aircraft approached, a blackout would darken the city, while the light of the projectors would track them for assisting anti-aircraft fire. The Ottoman 9th Aviation Squadron took responsibility for chasing and engaging enemy aircraft. This contributed to minimal damage to the city during July–August 1918. On 13 August 1918 the Ottoman government announced new directives aimed at the active protection of the population. Citizens were obliged to be more careful and to beware of espionage activities. The commission Tetkik-i Hasarat Komisyonu was created to help the civilians and restore their damaged property. According to British reports, while Istanbul was vulnerable to air strikes, the British were not able to create the "atmosphere of fear and panic" that they expected among the public.
During the war, the Ottoman cities of Trabzon, İzmir and Giresun were also bombarded.
Chronology +DateAir ForceAreaVictimsNotes9 July 1917two British planesIstanbul from the west, İstinye30 sailors killed, 10 injuriesThe British wanted to destroy the aircraft hangars in Yeşilköy, to cause damage to the Ministry of War building in Beyazıt, and to sink the battlecruiser Yavuz Sultan Selim which was anchored at the naval facility in İstinye on the European shore of the Bosporus strait. Although the first two targets were bombed, the last one was missed.9 March 1918unknownunknownunknownunknown7 or 9 July 1918five bombing raidsZeytinburnu, the train station in Haydarpaşa, the Golden Horn, Selimiye, Davutpaşa Barracks, Gülhane GardensunknownInstead of running away, civilians came out to the streets to see the falling bombs.23 July 1918seven British planesHasköy, Yeşilköyinjured people in YeşilköyHouses in Hasköy were damaged. The airstrike took place two months after Sultan Mehmed VI ascended the throne.27 July 1918two British planesIstanbul Electric Factory, Tersane, Kağıthane, Galata Bridge5 or 6 killed, many injuredNot reported in newspapers due to censorship.20 August 1918four bombsAyvansaray, Esirkapı, Fener, Beyazıt, Eyüp, Karagümrük, Yeşilköy5 injuries1 shop, 4 houses, and a wall were damaged, the attack lasted 15 minutes.22 August 1918nine bombsSamatya, Beyazıt, Eyüp, Karagümrük, Pangaltı, Hasköy, Ayasofya2 killed, 6 injuredOne shop, two hamams, two walls, and 9 houses were damaged.25 or 27 August 1918unknownunknown1 child killed, 11 civilians injuredPropaganda brochures were also dropped.26 August 1918two planesBakırköy, Hasköy, Eyüp, Beyazıt, Eminönü, Unkapanı, Aksaray, Karagümrük2 injuries8 houses, one wall, one hotel, one coffeeshop and one inn were damaged.27-28 August 191817 bombs Hasköy, Kalenderhane, Üsküdar, Kasımpaşa, Bahriye Garden3 killed 17 injured12 houses, one hamam, one bakery shop and one wall were destroyed, a wounded British aviator was captured; in response the Ottomans launched an air attack on Thasos and Lemnos and destroyed three British aircraft.13 September 1918unknownunknownunknownunknown20-21 or 22–23 September13 bombsunsuccessfulnoneThe two planes were destroyed, a British pilot was captured.18 October 1918first wave - seven planes second wave - five planesBeyazıt, Üsküdar, Eminönü, Galata, Unkapanı, Fatih, Samatya, Karaköy, Aksaray, Şehremini, Karagümrük, Fener, Kumkapı, Kasımpaşa, Eyüp, Hasköy, Pangaltı, Arnavutköy, Beyoğlu50-70 civilians killed, 100-200 civilians injuredThe most serious air strike. The Sultan sought refuge in a mosque, since he was exposed to the bombings while going to the Friday prayer.25 October 1918six British planesunsuccessfulnoneCaptain Fazıl Bey from the 9th Squadron incapacitated a British reconnaissance aircraft.
References