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BATTLE OF SARDARAPAT took place on May 21-29, 1918 between the Armenian regular troops and home guard and the Turkish troops that invaded Eastern Armenia near of Sardarapat station. After the October Revolution in Russia, Russian troops retreated from Western Armenia, thereby exposing the Caucasian front. Taking advantage of this situation, the Turkish government planned not only to recapture Western Armenia, but also to occupy Eastern Armenia and the whole Caucasus. Breaking the Erznka armistice concluded with the Transcaucasian commissariat (5 December 1917), the Turkish troops attacked on Feb. 10, 1918, and recaptured Erznka, Karin, Sarigamish, Kars, and on May 15 they captured Alexandropol. Acting on the Caucasian front the Armenian Corps (commander General Nazarbekov (Nazarbekyan)), which consisted of 3 divisions (commanders- General Areshyan, General Movses Silikov, General Andranik Ozanyan), retreated fighting, thereby ensuring the safety of thousands of Western Armenian refugees.

Responsibility for the implementation of Sardarapat defense was entrusted to the General M.Silikov, whose troops were composed of 2 artillery divisions (7th and 8th Regiment), 3rd Infantry Brigade (1st, 2nd regiment of Van and an infantry battalion of Saku) and the 1st regiment of the 2nd Cavalry brigade. The main forces of the Armenian troops (commander Daniel Beck Pirumyan) gathered in the direction of Sardarapat and the 6th Artillery, 2nd cavalry and guerrilla groups supported by the border battalion had to block the road of Turkish 9th Division moving from Aparan to Yerevan. The defense of Yerevan was headed by Aram Manukyan.

The attacking Turkish troops seized Sardarapat station on May 21, the village of the same name (now the village of Hoktember,  Armavir region), as well as Gechrlu (currently Mrgashat). On May 22 the 5th Armenian artillery regiment (commander Boghos Bey Pirumyan) infantry guerrilla regiment, infantry regiment Igdir and a special cavalry regiment of Kerpalu (now the village of Arshaluys, region Echmiadzin) and of Ghurdughulu (now the village of Armavir, Armavir region) attacked, broke through the resistance of Turks, thereby forcing them to retreat in panic 15-20 km away. However, taking advantage of the fact that the Armenian troops stopped the persecution, the Turks unarranged the forces, fortified on the heights of Chimn and Tulku situated in the north-west of the station Araks. 

The Turkish army command decided to replenish the troops of Yaghub Pasha (during the battles of March 22-26, the Turks suffered 3,500 casualties), but Armenians defeated 5th Division of Myursel Pasha whose troops came to assist Yaghub Pasha. Armenian commanders developed a plan to deliver a decisive blow, and to complete the destruction of the Turkish troops. Shock Army was established led by General K.Hasan Pashayan (Gasabpashyan), composed of troops of Erznka infantry regiment, separate battalion of Maku, two squadrons, one troop regiment of Khnus and 4 cannons) and were assisted by the Mush detachment headed by Pandukht (Mikael Seryan) attacked the Turks from the rear on May 27 and the main Armenian forces attacked the front. Suffering heavy losses, the remnants of the Turkish army fled in panic to Alexandropol. The war ended with the complete victory of the Armenians over the superior forces of the Turks. 

Winning the battle of Sardarapat was achieved thanks to the skillful Armenian commanders, as well as heroic struggle of the Armenian regular army and home guard. The best ancient traditions of the Armenian military art were manifested in the battle of Sardarapat. All segments of the Armenian people participated in the battle: peasants, intellectuals, clergy, craftmen, as well as Armenian officers serving in the Russian army, all the political parties. All the differences were forgotten. Armenian women played an important role in the battle, they delivered ammunition and food and served as nurses.

Sardarapat is one of the brilliant battles in the history of the liberation struggle of the Armenian people. Through that victory most of the Eastern Armenia was saved from Turkish conquest and an opportunity was created to restore the Armenian statehood. The statehood of the Republic of Armenia was declared in on May 28, 1918.

Sardarapat memorial complex was opened in 1968 in the site of the battle in memory of the victory of the Armenians. 

Y. Sargsyan

Source-Encyclopedia “The Armenian Question”, Yerevan, 1996.