The Chief of the General Staff, Marshal Fevzi Çakmak, used the French Maginot Line as an example,[2][3] and prepared plans for a fixed defensive line constructed of concrete and steel in Thrace.

[5] During his presidency, and in anticipation of the outbreak of World War II, the General Staff established the Çakmak Line, as proposed by Çakmak, in the north of Kırklareli in order to resist any attack that might come from the Balkans on the Thrace border.

[6] It was considered doubtful that this plan would be successful in the face of modern tactics used by the Germans.

[1] Çakmak Line Construction could not progress due to lack of cement and iron.

Only 380,000 tons of cement could be produced annually, and it was found in these factories in places that could be easily destroyed.