Photo; The original Assyrian WWI flag- courtesy David Lazar.

As you can see on the top left corner, you will see a round seal, this is Agha's personal stamp, it has his name on it in two languages, Assyrian and Russian.

 On the flag itself you can clearly see the blood stains on the cross and on top of it. The flag was sown on the off- white piece of cloth by my mother

after her father gave the flag to his son-in-law my Dad. I put the flag in the frame several years ago.

I was very proud to see my grandfather's picture [Pethyon Tawer of Baz] with that of Agha and Malik Khoshaba.

My grandfather is the one in the second row behind Agha with his hat tipped low on his forehead...David Lazar

 SEARCH AND RESCUE

[...They had deliberately, and in the face of great temptation and danger, thrown in their lot with what they believed to be right. They had seen themselves abandoned by those who had urged them to this course, and yet had stood by it, and defended themselves against tremendous odds in a very credible way...Rev W.A. Wigram [Archbishop of Canterbury's Mission.]

June 1917- The Mar Shimon lead an expedition deep into enemy held territory, to attempt a rescue of Assyrians held captive by the Kurds. The force moved in two columns one under General Putros the other under the Mar Shimons brother [later RAB Khaila] David. Russian Officers also accompanied to observe and report on Assyrian fighting capabilities. The columns moved in an Arrowhead formation, very effective in open terrain, this formation was used by the Ancient Assyrians and is still in use today by modern Armies. On the third day, Davids column encountered a strong force of Kurdish troops. Entrenched on mountain slopes in witch the Assyrians must pass. The Kurds opened up with all they had, luckily they misjudged the distance and their fire fell short. The Russian officers witnessing the strong barrage in front called for a retreat. The Assyrians however had other ideas. As soon as the Russians called retreat most of the Assyrian force disappeared! The Russians reported later We looked for them, we could not find them. We waited to see what was going to happen, An eerie silence fell on the battlefield, five hours passed, suddenly the Assyrians returned and commenced a frontal attack, but with only a third of their number. Unknown to the Kurds and the Russians, the Assyrians had retreated a few miles to the rear, split into three columns, one attacked from the right flank the other from the left flank, and one column to draw the enemy fire with a frontal assault. By the same afternoon, no Kurd was left standing. The Russian commander in absolute awe, addressed the Mar Shimon, Your Beatitude, having seen the valor and courage of your men, I wish to be received not as an officer, but as an ordinary soldier. The left column under General Putros encountered a stronger entrenched enemy of mixed Kurd and Turkish regulars. The General reports- The Assyrian soldiers attacked like tigers, assailing one bulwark after another. They looked as if they were flying across the hills to attack the foe in the rear as well. Among the dead we found a number of Turkish regulars and took one Turkish officer prisoner. The Russians accompanying this column recommended eight men for the cross of Saint George. And the Assyrian Nation became known as THE SMALEST ALLY.

July 1917- the two Assyrian columns met in Gavar and joined as one force. They remained there for a considerable time, sending reconnaissance patrols to locate enemy positions. They also excavated the ruins of Assyrian villages to collect and bury the bones of the Assyrians who fell victim to the massacres. It was here the extent of the horrors that befell these innocents became apparent. The chief instigator of those massacres, Soto, [a Kurdish chief] was only a three day march from Gavar.

September 1917- The Mar Shimon ordered his Army to march on to the township of Oramar, there, Soto had concentrated his forces and also maintained as his headquarters. Oramar was a stronghold, protected by inaccessible heights; the Russian officers became very skeptical of any success and advised a retreat. Soon however, they were to form a new opinion. The Assyrians attacked from two fronts, one column climbed high over the township and attacked from the rear, the other column attacked from the left flank, by night fall the township was theirs, the main prize however, Soto, escaped to Nervi, two days march from Oramar.

September 17th-1917 The Mar Shimon ordered General Putros to march his column back to Urmia whilst his forces continued on to Nervi. At Nervi, Soto had constructed a castle on a summit 4000 feet high, overlooking the valley below. The walls measured 300 by 1000 yards across with 100 forts. Here he had organized his strongest defenses. Between Oramar and Nervi lay several villages, whose inhabitants fled at the sight of the Assyrian Army, leaving their Assyrian captives behind, these were liberated and later returned to Urmia. Later in September, the Assyrians reached Chal, Sotos castle. At first glance it seemed an impossible barrier. Even for the Assyrian Highlanders. Unobserved by the Kurds, the forward guard climbed the highest peak surrounding the castle and climbed down into the fort, this took the Kurds by surprise, killing eleven men they then gave the signal to the rest of the force by raising their flag over the fort. The Assyrians below seizing this opportunity rushed the gates and overpowered the occupants. Two hundred and forty Kurds were taken captive including the son of Soto, but as for the chief himself, he had evaded capture once again by fleeing the battle. The whole Assyrian force then returned to Urmia.

1917- The Russian front collapses as a result of the Russian revolution. The Assyrians, once again, deserted by their Russian Allies were isolated. Now on their own managed to keep the enemy in check. Up until 1918, they were very successful on fourteen major engagements against the 5th and 6th Turkish Divisions, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. At this time, a British officer, Captain Gracie arrived unexpectedly in Urmia and promised Guns and ammunition if the Assyrians would continue to hold the Eastern front.

BRITISH PROMISES

The British offer of a homeland. British Army Captain Gracy arrived unexpended in Urmia and wished to address the Assyrians. The Mar Shimon called a meeting of all heads, including the American and French missions;

"Dear Friends:-This is the first opportunity I have had to have the honor of being present with you. I wish now to speak to you with reference to the purpose and the plan of the Allied powers, concerning the small and oppressed nations such as yours. This great war that has now raged for so long, and is still raging at tremendous cost in blood and material, to the allies, has but one main object, and that is, the emancipation of small and oppressed nations such as yours. For centuries you have been crushed under the millstone of your enemies. You have been oppressed beyond measure. You have now come to the verge of extinction as a people and as a language, thanks to the misdeeds of the Turks, assisted by their allies, the Germans. I have come to tell you that, inasmuch as the great allied powers are making tremendous sacrifices, and are shedding streams of blood for the sake of saving you, and making you free, it is your duty also as a Christian nation to continue in the war, and fight as you have so splendidly fought in the past. Remember what you were in bygone centuries.

The mighty deeds and achievements of your empire are today the richest treasures which adorn the museums of Europe, and which still inspire the people of the western world. Let the memories of your own past inspire you to the performance of greater deeds. Let the hopes of a glorious future make you patient and persevering to the end. Remember, we are fighting for your freedom; and you must also continue to contribute toward that final goal. I have been sent by my government to declare to you, as well as to other small nations, that you are all fighting for your own freedom. I have said the same thing to the Armenians. I am just coming from Van. They are continuing in their struggle for their freedom. You must also unite under one head and do the same. And so far as the feelings of the Persian government are concerned, you leave that matter to our legation, and to the legations of the allied powers in Tehran.

This was the speech made by the representative of the British government. Its language was plain enough. It was full of hope, and it carried with it, in unmistakable terms, a guarantee of freedom to the Assyrians, provided, of course, the final issue of the great war was favorable to the allied nations. But in order not to leave any ground for doubt, and in order to make the point of Assyrians' freedom doubly certain. The Assyrians put the question to Captain Gracy in his own language; and again the Patriarch and his people were assured of their freedom, and of possessing a homeland, wherein they would enjoy that freedom under the protection of the allied powers.

"Furthermore," continued Captain Gracy, all the expenses of your army will be paid by the allies. It has already been arranged with the new government of Caucasia that you shall receive all guns and ammunition you need, and even military assistance, if you require any. Freedom is a very precious and costly possession. It has always been bought by sacrifice. You must also be willing to do the same, if you wish to possess your Fatherland, where honey and milk flow."

Photo; David D Mar Shimun

 THE BATTLE FOR URMIA

Feb 9th 1918, a group of Assyrians were fired upon and killed by Persians in Urmia, it was a signal for the rest of the Moslems to take up arms and cleanse the city of the Assyrians. A Jihad, a holy war to exterminate all Christians.

The Assyrians however were not taken by surprise; their lessons were learned the hard way. The Urmia Moslems surrounded the home of General Agha Putros and quickly commenced firing at his house. The General prepared for such an emergency, returned fire from a machine gun mounted inside his home. The enemy scattered leaving their dead. The General ordered the Assyrian Batteries to open fire on the City, 150 men were ordered to hold the enemy advance while 700 men made their way behind the City gates. To do this unobserved, they needed to break holes in adjoining Christian homes, crawl through and take up positions. They were successful. Now orders were issued for the 150 men to vacate their positions in a manner to deceive the enemy into thinking they were being overpowered. The men began to withdraw, the enemy, overjoyed by their impending victory, rushed the gate in force. Their joy was not to last, the signal was given to the 700 Assyrians, whose position now fell behind the enemy. After 30 minutes of deadly fire, the General ordered a cease-fire. This is a slaughter not a battle said the General.

The enemy was estimated at 10,000. A second attempt and a new call for Jihad were heard at midnight, the enemy attacking the same gate. The 700 Assyrians had not retired from their positions, the battle did not last and the enemy withdrew.

Feb 10th 1918- Urmia, the enemy rallied for another attempt. This time, from both in and outside of the City. Karadagh, a Persian cavalry fort stood 500 meters from the western gate of the City. At the gate 200 Assyrians were stationed and commanded by Malik Khoshaba. On the morning of the 10th a cavalry unit from this fort attacked an Assyrian supply section with disastrous results. The cavalry withdrew to the fort. The Assyrians trained their Artillery on the fort and attacked with a frontal assault. It fell within hours; among the dead was the general commanding. Malik Khoshaba concentrated his men on the enemy within the city. The Moslem force fell back into the east side of the City. General Putros ordered his troops to halt their advance and ordered the artillery to fire on the remaining enemy to bring about their surrender. Late afternoon of the 10th The Persians raised a white flag; their unconditional surrender was accepted.

THE ASSASSINATION OF MAR SHIMON

March 3rd 1918 Simco, Leader of the Shekak Kurds, invited the Mar Shimun to a friendly meeting to discuss the current situation and Peace between his people and the Assyrians. The Mar Shimun was warned by his followers not to go. He disregarded the warnings and agreed to the meeting, reasoning that Simco had once been an Ally and it is his duty to provide peace for his people whenever possible. The Mar Shimon arrived with a bodyguard of 150 men. Unknown to the Assyrian leader, Simco had planted 1000 Kurds in and around his castle waiting for the signal to open fire. The Mar Shimun was escorted inside with two of his bodyguards, the rest remained outside. During the meeting one of his bodyguards, through an open window, noticed a large number of armed Kurds hiding on rooftops. The bodyguards said to his leader in Assyrian- My Lord, our end is certain, permit me to kill this dog [Simco] just to avenge the blood that will surely be shed. The Patriarch with a smile bade his bodyguard to be calm. After the meeting, Simco led the Mar Shimon to the door and kissed his hand, this was the signal to his men on rooftops. As soon as the Patriarch entered his coach, the ambush was execution. Only six men survived, wounded, they rode back to Urmia. The Mar Shimon died in a hail of bullets. The foul Kurdish tribesmen dragged his body through the streets. Later the local Armenians recovered his body and gave him a Christian burial. The Assyrians did not take the murder of their leader lying down. General Agha Putros now in command devised a plan of revenge. They are to attack Simco's castle at Chara. Halfway to the Kurdish strong hold, the pass was blocked by Persian troops sent from Azerbaijan to intercept the Assyrians. General Putros left a small force to engage the Persians while he took a different root with the main column. The small force was successful in defeating the Persians. The main column reached their objective on Thursday 15th March 1918 after eight days of marching through snow-covered mountains.

The next morning the battle had began, for twenty-four hours both sides exchanged heavy fire, the Kurdish defenders behind high walls and the attacking Assyrians on the snow covered ground. However the Assyrians lusting for revenge were closing in, by midmorning on Saturday 17th The Assyrians rushed the ramparts The castle fell to them soon after. Although, Simco had escaped through a subterranean passage. Only to be killed himself by Persians in 1930, in a manner identical to the Mar Shimon. At the castle they found a letter from the Persian Governor at Tabriz, in which it was suggested that the Mar Shimun should be murdered. They also carried out a series of attacks against Kurdish positions; still lusting for revenge they inflicted heavy casualties.

 THE TURKISH INVASION

[...In fourteen distinct engagements, they [Assyrians] defeated every Moslem force that was brought against them...Brigadier General H.H.Austin]

Salamas, a City three days march from Urmia had a large number of Assyrians. Also stationed there was an Assyrian Army commanded by the brother of the Late Mar Shimon, David Effendi. News had arrived to Urmia that a large number of Azerbaijan troops were regrouping in Khoi and around Urmia. To avoid a repeat of Urmia, David Effendi, ordered the Salamas Moslem population to disarm. A large number of guns and ammunition were collected. This however did not deter the Azerbaijan troops. The Tabriz authorities had informed the commander of the Azerbaijan troops that a large strong Turkish force were approaching Urmia from the South West, and also a large number of Persian volunteers have already taken up positions around Urmia. The Azerbaijan Troops commenced their attack on two fronts, one column advanced from the state road running between a long chain of hills on the one side and Lake Urmia on the other. While a second larger column came from the direction of Khoi. The second column initiated the hostilities by attacking an Assyrian forward position out side Salamas. The Assyrians fell back to draw the second column close to the City. General Putros favored this. Now he can concentrate on the enemy one at a time. He set out to meet the first column; he engaged that force at Tassui thirty miles outside Salamas. This force was crushed to a point that it can no longer function effectively. Among the spoils the Assyrians captured a long range Artillery piece. The Second column unaware what befell their comrades continued the advance towards the city. Here David Effendi and the Assyrian defenders of Salamas sprung their trap, the enemy suddenly found themselves trapped with no where to run, several machineguns spat their deadly fire from the enemys left flank, they continued their fire until not one enemy was left standing, from an estimate of 8000 strong, no more than 300 escaped the trap. The Persian Government in Azerbaijan was stupefied, not only their entire force was eliminated but the reports from the Salamas Moslems confirmed that the Assyrian casualties numbered no more than ten. April 8th 1918The Turks, having being defeated on several occasions by the Assyrians, and the fact that the Russians were no longer a threat, had rallied a large number of their regulars including Artillery battalions backed by Kurdish tribesmen and Persian Cavalry. This large and well-equipped force moved on two fronts, The main column moving in from the north and a smaller column [several thousand] from the south. The southern force engaged the Assyrians first, after a battle that lasted six days this force was effectively neutralized. Now the Assyrian General concentrated his efforts on the main column approaching from the North. The General, aware of the overwhelming numbers of the enemy, knew that he must not allow this force to reach Urmia. Together with his two subordinates [Malik Khoshaba and Malik Ismail] decided to take the initiative and make the first strike. First however they must ascertain the exact position of the Turks. General Putros decided on a plan of action. He wrote to the Turkish General commanding the enemy column Khairi Beg, We are not a kingdom or a government that you should fight against us. And why should we be compelled to defend ourselves when most of us by right belong to Turkey? An Assyrian who set out on horseback to find the Turkish general delivered this. The Turkish General replied Deliver to us all your Arms, we will take Urmia, and we will protect you there. Now the Assyrians new the exact location of the enemy, but they still needed to know how long it would take them to reach Urmia. To ascertain at what speed the enemy column was moving, the Assyrian general wrote another letter We are willing to surrender our Arms, but we do so on two conditions; first we desire a written assurance that you will annex the province of Azerbaijan to Turkey, and second, that you will give us food and provisions to last three months, till we have returned to our homes and settled in our own lands Khariri Beg replied There is one condition only, all Christians must surrender unconditionally.

Comparing the first position with the second, the Assyrians new were the column would be at any given time and in witch direction it was moving. A plan of attack was put into action. They knew the Turks were advancing through a valley parallel to the Barandooz River, which zigzags its way to Lake Urmia. They set up an ambush, mostly machine guns on the left and right slopes of the valley. They also sent a small force in front of the enemy to draw them deeper into the valley and towards the ambush. General Putros lead a small column and planted his troops in the rear of the enemy. The ambush was set. The Turks engaged the Assyrians to their front. The Assyrians slowly began to withdraw; unaware of the intentions of their foe the Turks continued their assault and allowed themselves to be drawn deeper into the valley. At a predetermined location, the Assyrians in front suddenly stopped and returned fire; this also was the signal for the machineguns on the slopes to commence their assault. A retreat was attempted by the Turks but was cut short by General Putros in the rear. The whole spectacle did not last more than several hours. By the end of the day the entire Turkish force was either captured or killed. The Turks had intentionally exaggerate their number by sending word to the Urmia Moslems that their strength was over 16000, knowing this will reach the Assyrians. This somewhat helped in their demise, if they had combined their forces and attacked simultaneously from the north and south, perhaps the results would have been different. As it were, the main column numbered 6000. Many of which surrendered including the commanding General Khairi Beg, and were taken prisoner by the Assyrians, whose number did not exceed 1200.The Persians and the Kurds not knowing the outcome of the battle had grouped together in Askarabad, a fort near the Persian border, with the intention of attacking Assyrian villages. General Putros sent three companies under Malik Khoshaba to deal with the situation. The fort was heavily fortified, the Assyrians sent a message for the Moslems to surrender, they had refused, and unsuccessful efforts were also made by the Moslem civil population of the fort to induce the gunmen to surrender. The Assyrians were ordered to take the fort by force, but consideration must be given to the civil population. The Assyrians commenced the attack with an Artillery piece against one of the main gates; ladders were also used to scale the high walls. Heavy fighting followed; the Assyrians taking care not to inflict casualties among the civilians had succeeded in disarming the gunmen but had suffered thirty casualties in the process.

photo; Assyrian Cavalry -1918

.........continued in Part two