Faik Pasha

Faik Pasha, Ahmed Faik or Suleiman Faik, commonly known in the army as "Çolak" Faik, 1876; Köprülü (Vales) – 30 August 1916; Oğnut (present day Göynük), Karlıova) was a general of the Ottoman Army and the grand master of the Freemasonry in the Ottoman Empire.

Military career
Afeter graduating from Kuleli Military High School, he entered the Ottoman Imperial School of Military Engineering (Mühendishane-i Berrî-i Hümâyûn) and graduated from the Ottoman Military College as Staff Captain in 17 January 1900 and was appointed to the island of Sisam. In 1909, when he was a Leiutenant Colonel (Kaymakam), he assainged Debre mutasarrıflığı.

Balkan Wars
He served during Balkan Wars as Chief of Staff of the VII Corps of the Western Army. The commander was Mirliva Fethi Pasha who was killed in action while trying to stop the withdrawing soldiers on the Koçişte Hill near Monastir in 1912. Faik Bey promoted to Lieutenant Colonel for his heroic fights against the enemy. He was one of the successful officers of the army during that tragic war. Faik Bey was made commander of 19th Infantry Division. The division fought in 1912 in Yanya (Ioanina) against Greeks. Faik Bey became Pasha and the commander of the Independent Cavalry Division.

Gallipoli Campaign
At the beginning of the Gallipoli Campaign, he was commander of II Corps with 2 divisions which was under the command of Liman von Sanders's Fifth Army. Lieutenant General Weber Pasha wanted Faik Pasha to command the "Right Wing". But Liman von Sanders disliked him and he had a quarrel with Faik Pasha for about a tactics. Weber Pasha insisted on his decision. At last unwillingly von Sanders appointed Faik Pasha to the command of Right Wing.

He fought the Battle of Gully Ravine (28 June – 3 July 1915) that was a very bloody battle that caused Ottoman Army many casualties. The casualties of 3rd Battalion of 70th Regimant. On 2 July 1915, 6 officers were killed, 4 were wounded and 158 personnel was killed, 285 were wounded.

Caucasus Campaign
In 1916, he commanded the II Corps in the Caucasus campaigns. He was killed by bullet during the combats continued around the Çavreşi montaions on 30 August 1916.

Freemasonry
After the war he was taken to Constantinople (Istanbul). During he was staying in the Balkans, he initiated to freemasonry in Resne (Resen). After the resignment of Grand Master Most Worshipful Talaat Pasha he was elected as Grand Master in 18 October 1912. Most Worshipfull Grand Master Faik Pasha reigned until 14 April 1913.