Cengiz Topel
Cengiz Topel (* 1934 in İzmit ; † August 8, 1964 in the Troodos Mountains in Cyprus ) was a pilot in the rank of captain of the Turkish Air Force . He was the first Turkish Air Force fighter pilot to be killed during a mission.
Topel began his education in the Second Elementary School in Bandırma . After his father, who worked as a state official as an expert on monopolies and tobacco, was transferred to Balıkesir , Topel continued his education at the local Ömer Seyfettin elementary school. After his father died, his family moved to Kadıköy in İstanbul. There he finished elementary and middle school. He then attended the Haydarpaşa High School and later moved to the Kuleli Military High School , which he graduated from in 1953. In 1955 he graduated from the Land Forces School with the rank of senior ensign and joined the army.
He later switched to the Air Force class and was sent to Canada for training. After successfully completing his training in Canada, he returned in 1957 and began to work at the 5th Merzifon Air Force Base ( Merzifon 5th Ana Jet Üs Komutanlığı ). In 1961 he was ordered to the 1st Air Force Base in Eskişehir ( Eskişehir 1. Hava Ana Jet Üssü ). In 1963 Topel was promoted to captain.
On August 8, 1964 at 5:00 p.m. he was sent from Eskişehir to Cyprus as the commander of a swarm of the 112th Air Force Squadron. His F-100 was hit by 40 mm Bofors guns while flying over Cyprus near Denizli / Xeros near Gemikonağı / Karavostasi and crashed. Topel managed a parachute jump from the plane. Once on the ground, he was arrested by Greek troops and taken to a hospital. However, members of the Cypriot National Guard took him to their headquarters in Kykkos Monastery , where they tortured him to death. After lengthy negotiations, his body was transferred to Turkey on August 12, 1964. After military ceremonies had been held in Cyprus, Adana , Ankara and İstanbul , he was buried on August 14, 1964 in the cemetery for fallen Air Force members Sakızağacı on the Edirnekapı cemetery grounds.
Individual evidence
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Topel, Cengiz |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Turkish fighter pilot |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 1934 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | İzmit |
| DATE OF DEATH | August 8, 1964 |
| Place of death | Cyprus |