User:Pürel/Tayyareci Fethi Bey

Fethi Bey (1891, Ayazpaşa - 27 February 1914, near Lake Tiberias) was, a Turkish soldier. He was one of the first Turkish pilots.

Fethi Bey, a native of Istanbul, was born in 1891. He enrolled in the Naval "Ship Machinery Engineering" program in 1901 and was designated as a mechanic officer at the factory in 1908. He worked as an engineer/technician on the Hamidiye Cruiser's trip to the Adriatic Ports in 1910. In 1911, he became a worker at the "Gun Repair Factory." On July 3, 1912, he was sent to the "British & Colonial (later, Bristol) Aeroplane Company" for pilot training. Fethi Bey moved to the air division and served as a pilot in both the Western and Eastern Ottoman Army. He was given the 'Silver Medal of Liakat' for his accomplishments in the Balkan Wars. He was promoted to the rank of captain in 1913 and became the second team officer of the aircraft troop. At the start of 1914, he was one of the first members of the team heading to Egypt.

On February 8, 1914, with his companion Sadık Bey embarked on a flight from Istanbul to Cairo using the Blériot XI/B plane, which they called 'Muavenet-i Milliye'. However, they were unable to complete their journey through Konya, Ulukışla, Adana, Homs, and Damascus. Sadly, on February 27, 1914, they crashed near the Şimiriye subdistrict of Tiberias in Damascus. This tragic incident marked one of the first losses in Turkish aviation history, and their resting place is now located in the Tomb of Saladin Eyyubi in Damascus.

Memory of Fethi Bey
The passing of Fethi Bey in an accident while en route to his destination brought immense sorrow to the nation during that time. As a result of this tragedy, the town of Meğri in Muğla was renamed Fethiye. In 2004, a significant statue of Tayyareci Fethi Bey was unveiled and placed on display at the Martyr Captain Tayyareci Fethi Bey National Park, which is situated opposite the ancient theater in Fethiye. The statue was relocated to the new opening (2018) Martyr Fethi Bey park, across the Fethiye State Hospital.

Behçet Kemal Çağlar wrote the following lines for Tayyareci Fethi Bey:

"The lion has flown" is sung in praise;

Fethi, the child of this sacred land...

Of course, they will always be cursed with your assault

If it happens, the view is side glance and the purpose is crooked;

Look; Meğri became Fethiye, thanks to you...

My eagle! This country is free in your shadow.