the ultimate empire had been at war since november nine hundred fourteen as an ally of germany the austria-hungary an empire and the bug area. the ottoman army led by the german commander lehman from sound us and the young autumn an officer mustapha kemal was able to force back the allies on gill italy half a million people lost their lives and yet it literally was a victory for the ottomans. one of only a few in a war in which they only reluctantly participated. since nine hundred thirteen the ottoman government had been headed by an all for a tarion nationalist triumvirate that had emerged from the young turks revolution.