Full name: Cengiz Topel
Date of birth: September 2, 1934
Place of birth: İzmit, Kocaeli, Türkiye
Date of death: August 8, 1964
Place of death: Cyprus
Age at death: 29
Nationality: Turkish
Occupation: Military pilot
Allegiance: Turkish Armed Forces
Military branch: Turkish Air Force
Rank: Captain
Unit: 112th Squadron
Aircraft: F-100 Super Sabre
Operation: 1964 Turkish air operation over Cyprus
Known for: First air warfare martyr of the Republic of Türkiye
Burial place: Sakızağacı Air Martyrs’ Cemetery, Edirnekapı, Istanbul
Cengiz Topel was a Turkish military pilot and captain in the Turkish Air Force. He participated in the air operation conducted on August 8, 1964, to help protect the Turkish Cypriot community from attacks around Erenköy.
Topel’s F-100 Super Sabre was struck by ground-based anti-aircraft fire during the mission. Although he successfully ejected and reached the ground by parachute, he was captured by Greek Cypriot soldiers and later killed in captivity.
Cengiz Topel is recognized as the first Turkish air warfare martyr in Cyprus and the first air warfare martyr of the Republic of Türkiye.
Early life and family
Cengiz Topel was born on September 2, 1934, in İzmit, Kocaeli. His father, Hakkı Bey, was a tobacco specialist originally from Trabzon, while his mother was Mebuse Hanım. Cengiz was the third of the family’s four children.
Because of his father’s work, Topel spent parts of his childhood in different Turkish cities. He began primary school in Bandırma and continued his education in Gönen.
Following the death of his father, the family moved to Kadıköy in Istanbul. Topel completed his primary and secondary education at Yeldeğirmeni School and later attended Haydarpaşa High School.
He subsequently chose a military career and transferred to Kuleli Military High School.
Military education
Cengiz Topel graduated from Kuleli Military High School in 1953. He then entered the Turkish Military Academy and graduated in 1955.
After completing his education at the academy, Topel joined the Turkish Armed Forces as a second lieutenant. Due to his interest in aviation and his aptitude for flying, he was selected for pilot training in Canada.
Topel successfully completed his aviation training and earned his pilot wings. He returned to Türkiye in 1957 and began serving at the 5th Main Jet Base Command in Merzifon.
Career in the Turkish Air Force
After serving in Merzifon, Cengiz Topel was assigned to the 1st Main Jet Base in Eskişehir in 1961. There, he trained as a combat-ready pilot and flew F-100 Super Sabre fighter aircraft.
Topel was promoted to the rank of captain in 1963. His selection as the commander of a four-aircraft formation during his final mission reflected his experience and level of responsibility within the Turkish Air Force.
Developments in Cyprus
Violence against the Turkish Cypriot community intensified from the end of 1963. In August 1964, Greek and Greek Cypriot forces launched a major offensive against Turkish Cypriot positions around Erenköy.
Erenköy was strategically important to the Turkish Cypriot community because it provided access to the coast and a connection with the outside world.
Turkish Cypriot fighters and university students who had interrupted their studies to join the resistance defended the area against forces supported by heavy weapons.
As the attacks intensified, Türkiye decided to conduct an air operation to protect the Turkish Cypriot population and deter further assaults.
Cengiz Topel’s final mission
Captain Cengiz Topel commanded a formation of four Turkish fighter aircraft sent from Eskişehir to Cyprus on August 8, 1964.
The second attack formation included Captain Cengiz Topel, First Lieutenant İzzet Öztarhan, Captain Mehmet Konedralı and First Lieutenant Ethem Sancar.
During the operation, Topel’s F-100 Super Sabre was struck by anti-aircraft fire from the ground. The other pilots saw smoke coming from his aircraft and warned him over the radio to eject.
When the aircraft became impossible to control, Topel activated the ejection seat. He escaped from the damaged aircraft, and his parachute opened successfully.
Capture of Cengiz Topel
Cengiz Topel landed near the Greek Cypriot village of Peristeronori, between the Turkish settlements of Lefke, Gaziveren, Elye and Çamlıköy.
He attempted to reach the area controlled by Turkish Cypriot fighters but was captured by Greek Cypriot soldiers.
According to Turkish sources, Topel was tortured and killed in violation of international laws governing the treatment of prisoners of war.
The Greek Cypriot administration claimed that he had been captured while wounded, received treatment in a hospital and subsequently died from his injuries.
Following intensive diplomatic efforts by Türkiye and international organizations, Cengiz Topel’s body was handed over to Turkish officials on August 12, 1964.
Funeral ceremonies and burial
Funeral ceremonies for Captain Cengiz Topel were held in Cyprus, Adana, Ankara and Istanbul.
He was buried on August 14, 1964, at the Sakızağacı Air Martyrs’ Cemetery in Edirnekapı, Istanbul.
Cengiz Topel was 29 years old at the time of his death. He became known as the first Turkish air warfare martyr in Cyprus and the first air warfare martyr of the Republic of Türkiye.
The aircraft flown by Cengiz Topel
The aircraft flown by Cengiz Topel during his final mission was a North American F-100 Super Sabre. The F-100 was a supersonic jet fighter used by the Turkish Air Force for many years.
Some online publications incorrectly describe Cengiz Topel as an F-16 pilot. However, the F-16 had not yet entered service when Topel was killed in 1964.
The aircraft struck during his final mission was an F-100 Super Sabre, not an F-16.
Difference between the 1964 operation and the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation
The air operation in which Cengiz Topel was killed was not the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation.
Topel participated in the Turkish air operation conducted on August 8, 1964, to protect the Turkish Cypriot community around Erenköy.
The Cyprus Peace Operation began on July 20, 1974, almost ten years after Topel’s death. Therefore, claims that Cengiz Topel was killed during the 1974 operation are historically incorrect.
Memory and legacy
The name of Cengiz Topel has been given to numerous neighbourhoods, streets, schools, hospitals, parks, public buildings and military facilities across Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
A military airfield in Kocaeli bears his name. A village and a hospital in Northern Cyprus have also been named in his honour.
His memory is preserved at the Martyr Pilot Captain Cengiz Topel Monument in the Lefke region of Northern Cyprus.
The memorial includes information panels about his life, personal photographs, historical images from his funeral ceremonies and parts recovered from his downed aircraft.
A replica of the F-100 Super Sabre associated with his final mission is also displayed in front of the monument.
Place in Turkish aviation history
Cengiz Topel became one of the most symbolic figures in Turkish aviation history through his courage, military discipline, devotion to duty and final mission to protect the Turkish Cypriot community.
He is remembered not only as a fighter pilot but also as a serviceman who sacrificed his life during the struggle for the survival of the Turkish Cypriots.
His life and final mission continue to be commemorated in Türkiye and Northern Cyprus and are passed on to younger generations through memorial ceremonies, museums and educational institutions.
September 2, 1934: Born in İzmit, Kocaeli.
1953: Graduated from Kuleli Military High School.
1955: Graduated from the Turkish Military Academy and joined the Turkish Armed Forces.
1955–1957: Received pilot training in Canada.
1957: Returned to Türkiye and began serving at the 5th Main Jet Base Command in Merzifon.
1961: Assigned to the 1st Main Jet Base in Eskişehir.
1963: Promoted to the rank of captain.
August 8, 1964: His aircraft was shot down during the Turkish air operation over Cyprus.
August 8, 1964: Ejected, landed by parachute, was captured and later killed in captivity.
August 12, 1964: His body was handed over to Turkish officials.
August 14, 1964: Buried at the Sakızağacı Air Martyrs’ Cemetery in Istanbul.
1990: The Cengiz Topel Monument in Northern Cyprus was opened to visitors.
Who was Cengiz Topel?
Cengiz Topel was a captain and military pilot in the Turkish Air Force. His aircraft was shot down during an air operation over Cyprus on August 8, 1964. He was captured after landing by parachute and later killed in captivity.
When and where was Cengiz Topel born?
Cengiz Topel was born on September 2, 1934, in İzmit, Kocaeli, Türkiye.
When did Cengiz Topel die?
Cengiz Topel died on August 8, 1964, following a Turkish air operation over Cyprus.
What aircraft did Cengiz Topel fly?
Cengiz Topel flew an F-100 Super Sabre during his final mission. Claims that he was an F-16 pilot are incorrect.
Was Cengiz Topel killed during the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation?
No. Cengiz Topel was killed during the Turkish air operation of August 8, 1964. The Cyprus Peace Operation began on July 20, 1974.
How was Cengiz Topel’s aircraft shot down?
His F-100 Super Sabre was struck by ground-based anti-aircraft fire during the operation over Cyprus.
How old was Cengiz Topel when he died?
Cengiz Topel was 29 years old when he died, shortly before his 30th birthday.
Where is Cengiz Topel buried?
Cengiz Topel is buried at the Sakızağacı Air Martyrs’ Cemetery in Edirnekapı, Istanbul.
Why is Cengiz Topel important?
Cengiz Topel is recognized as the first Turkish air warfare martyr in Cyprus and the first air warfare martyr of the Republic of Türkiye.
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