Cemal Madanoğlu

Cemal Madanoğlu (22 March 1907[1] – 28 July 1993) was a Turkish soldier and lieutenant general. Born in Izmir on 22 March 1907, he attended the Turkish Military Academy, and the Academy of High Command.

Cemal Madanoğlu
Madanoğlu, 1960
Land Logistics Command of Turkey
Personal details
Born	1907 Uşak, Ottoman Empire
Died	28 July 1993
Political party	National Unity Committee
Military service
Allegiance	NATO  Turkey Expanded Command Committee
Branch/service	Turkish Army
Years of service	1926–1961
Rank	Lieutenant general
Unit	12th Division Armored Training Division
Battles/wars	Korean War 1960 Turkish coup d'état 1971 Turkish military memorandum

Cemal Madanoğlu was among the leaders of the 1960 Turkish coup d'état.[2]He was asked to lead the coup by his subordinates as he was the only General that was willing to take lead. During the coup, he was asked by the Army general Ragıp Gümüşpala on telephone if he was the most senior among the putschists. Ragıp Gümüşpala also said that he would put down the putsch if there is no one that outranks himself. Madanoğlu bluffed that General Cemal Gürsel was their leader and he was on a flight to Ankara from İzmir.[3] Before the coup, he made every subordinate to swore an oath not to take part in ministerial office.[4] However, during a meeting with Cemal Gürsel, he noticed the same subordinates were trying to put together a government that included themselves. According to Madanoğlu, he slapped the table and said: “ You jackals! Which of you understands finance, which of you understands trade, which of you understands economy, we are in this position because Menderes did the same.”

After the coup, he released Democrat Party deputies and brought together Academicians from Istanbul University to provide the Junta with a roadmap back in to democracy. Although, he then was advised by Professor Sıddık Sami Onar that the parliament shouldn't be given the power back, instead they should put Adnan Menderes and deputies of Democrat Party on trial and enact structural reforms.[5] Former President İsmet İnönü told him even if they are guilty there should be no execution. People would forget their crimes but would remember that they were hanged.[5] After a series of infighting in the military he resigned.

In retirement, Lieutenant general Madanoğlu was involved in a coup plot that would complete what 1960 Turkish coup d'état could not finish in the means of reforms. This plan failed when National Intelligence Organization bugged his meetings.[6] General Faruk Gürler feared that his fellow plotters were more left-leaning than he assumed. This coup plot caused the 1971 Turkish military memorandum. Madanoğlu was a prominent figure in left-wing politics.[7]

Madanoğlu gave series of interviews regarding his part in Turkish military coup, 1960 to 32. Gün. He died on 28th of July 1993 in Istanbul. He is buried in Karacaahmet Cemetery.