Documentary Reveals Tragedy of TCG Kocatepe Sunk by Friendly Fire

WISE NEWS PRESS / ISTANBUL, TURKEY — DEC. 3, 2025

A new documentary shedding light on one of the most tragic incidents in modern Turkish naval history, the sinking of the TCG Kocatepe destroyer by friendly fire during the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation, has officially premiered in Istanbul.

Directed by Vural Çavuşoğlu, "The Story of TCG Kocatepe" (TCG Kocatepe’nin Hikayesi) reconstructs the events of July 1974 through the memories of 16 surviving veterans. The film aims to clarify the historical record regarding the communication errors that led Turkish fighter jets to mistakenly bomb their own ship, resulting in the martyrdom of 54 sailors.

Survivor Testimonies and Historical Accuracy

The documentary held its Turkish premiere at the Koç University Research Center for Anatolian Civilizations (ANAMED) on November 24, attended by veterans of the incident and military officials. The production is largely based on the memoirs of Retired Navy Staff Lieutenant Colonel Özhan Bakkalbaşıoğlu, a survivor of the attack.

Director Çavuşoğlu emphasized the project's commitment to objective storytelling. "We attach great importance to writing history correctly and leaving the correct documents for history," Çavuşoğlu stated. He noted that the film avoids accusations or controversy, focusing instead on dispelling unrealistic rumors surrounding the sinking by relying strictly on the accounts of those who were there.

The Tragic Incident of July 1974

The incident occurred on July 21, 1974, when the destroyers TCG Kocatepe, TCG Adatepe, and TCG Fevzi Çakmak were dispatched to intercept a Greek convoy reportedly heading toward Paphos. Due to a critical failure in intelligence and inter-service communication, Turkish Air Force jets identified the Turkish destroyers as the hostile Greek fleet.

Despite the heavy bombardment, 42 personnel survived the sinking of the TCG Kocatepe, including the ship's commander, Güven Erkaya, who would later serve as the 16th Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces. The survivors were eventually rescued by an Israeli merchant vessel. The TCG Kocatepe holds the somber distinction of being the first and only ship lost by the Turkish Republic's navy in a war situation.

Cinematic Reconstruction

The 97-minute documentary utilizes action-style cinema formats and specially prepared 3D animations to visualize the sinking and the chaotic moments on the deck.

In addition to veteran interviews, the film features evaluations by Retired Ambassador Dr. Ahmet Zeki Bulunç and Retired Rear Admiral Cem Gürdeniz to provide broader strategic context. Following its premiere, the documentary is scheduled for screenings on digital platforms and at international venues.

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