| ANDRANIK (Ozanian), General (Shabin
Karahisar 1865 – Fresno 1927) Trained as a carpenter. Began
revolutionary activity in Sivas province in 1888. Joined the Dashnak
party in 1892. Defended Armenian villages in Moush-Sasun district in
1895–6. To Transcaucasia in 1897, to the party headquarters in Tiflis.
Returned to Turkish Armenia well armed and with extensive powers.
Leader of the guerrilla forces in Sasun from 1899, with 38 villages
under his command. After the murder of Serop in 1900, Andranik
assassinated his killer, Bshara Khalil agha; became leader of
Armenians of entire Bitlis and Moush district. Besieged at Arakelots
monastery (near Moush) in November 1901, he broke out with his men
after donning the uniforms of Turkish officers. Confronted by large
Turkish force in spring 1904, he and his men – the elite of the
Armenian guerrillas – effected a retreat to Van via Aghtamar. Left
Turkish Armenia for Persia. To Transcaucasia; then Vienna. Resigned
from the Dashnak party in 1907. Spent some time in Geneva and Egypt;
then to Sofia. Soon identified himself with the Macedonian struggle;
led a troop of 230 Armenian volunteers in the First Balkan war, 1912.
To Transcaucasia on outbreak of first world war; commanded a volunteer
troop of 1,000 men, active on the North Persian front, contributing to
the Russian victory at Diliman (Shahpur, April 1915). His forces
joined with the Armenian legion in expelling the Turks from south of
Lake Van; but forced to retreat by a Turkish counter-offensive (July
1915). His unit dissolved by the authorities in early 1916. Commander
of the Western Armenian division, in December 1917, whose three
brigades constituted part of the Armenian Corps (established January
1918). Forced to evacuate Erzerum, March 1918. Resigned his command
and left for Tiflis in same month. Formed new Western Armenian
brigade; did not participate in the battle of Sardarabad. Angry with
the leaders of the
Republic of Armenia for signing the treaty of Batum;
recognised the government of Soviet Russia, and declared Nakhichevan
to be part of it (July 1918), having gone to Zangezur via Nakhichevan.
About to March on Shushi (Karabagh) in December 1918, when a message
from the British commander halted him, thereby causing Karabakh to
remain outside Armenia to this day. To Echmiadzin via Daralagiaz,
March 1919; forced by British pressure to disband his brigade. Left
Transcaucasia in April 1919; to Paris and London, trying to persuade
Allies to occupy Turkish Armenia. To the USA fund-raising for the
Armenian army. To Fresno, California, where he died in 1927; his body
shipped abroad for burial in Armenia; refused entry by Communist
authorities, so laid to rest in Père Lachaise cemetery, Paris. In 1970
his grave visited by Marshal I.
Kh. Baghramian. A bust of him has been
erected in Soviet Armenia |
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