Doesn’t the sight of this statue make you wonder who Korg. Mehmet Şevki Ölçer was? This is a statue of Korg. Mehmet Şevki Ölçer. He is known as the founder of the General Directorate of Mapping in the history of the Turkish Armed Forces.
Mehmet Şevki Ölçer was born in Istanbul in 1866. He graduated as an infantry lieutenant from the Military Academy on June 15 1886. He started at the Military Academy as a lieutenant on June 27 1886. He became a first lieutenant on June 29 1887. Mehmet Şevki Ölçer graduated from the Military Academy as a staff captain on May 29 1889.
Until December 19 1890 he served as a teacher of Astronomy. He also taught Analytic Geometry and weaponry at the Artillery School and the Military Academy. Then he went to Paris to study at the French Military Academy. He became a captain on June 17 1891. After finishing the French Military Academy he received special training in mapping techniques at the French Geographical Department.
On July 15 1894 he returned home. He worked as a teacher in various military schools. He became a major on November 13 1894. At that time he was assigned to the Mapping Commission. This commission was affiliated with the 5th Branch of the General Staff. It was tasked with modern mapping efforts.
As a member of this commission he participated in the first modern mapping efforts in the Eskişehir region. These efforts were based on a triangulation network. He became a lieutenant colonel on January 5 1901. Mehmet Şevki Ölçer became a colonel on July 27 1908. He was promoted to brigadier general on April 26 1912.
During the years following World War I and the occupation of Istanbul. The General Staff of the Grand National Assembly Government invited him to serve in Anatolia. On August 17 1920 he accepted. He ensured that 100000 maps and 170 crates. These crates contained mapping tools and materials. These would not fall into enemy hands. He secured their transfer to Anatolia. He did this with 35 mapping officers under his command in the Mapping Branch.
Korgeneral Mehmet Şevki Ölçer served in various military and civilian schools. This included universities. He lectured on many technical subjects. He also carried out studies in various parts of the country and the Balkans. He has many published works on mapping techniques.
Mehmet Şevki Ölçer was promoted to lieutenant general on September 16 1923. On May 2 1925 he carried out the preparatory work. This was necessary for the enactment of the current law. This law established the General Directorate of Mapping. He became the first Director General of Mapping.
Korgeneral Mehmet Şevki Ölçer dedicated 31 years of service to Turkish Cartography. He retired on July 1 1926 at his own request. He passed away on May 9 1927. His grave is in the Merkez Efendi Cemetery.
Throughout his career Korgeneral Mehmet Şevki Ölçer received 18 medals and orders. He also has 7 translations and works. He is remembered with gratitude. This is due to his great services to Turkish Cartography. Also for his contributions to the Mapping Branch within the Turkish Armed Forces. Here stands the statue of a great man. A man who shaped the landscape of Turkish cartography.