Anzac Day

The Gallipoli Penisular in Turkey was an extremely important battleground during the first world war. If the allies could gain control it would mean a supply route into Russia had been opened up. Unfortunately the narrowest point of the Dardanelle Straits is only a few Km wide and the Royal Navy could not make it through. They lost 4 battleships in the space of 5 minutes due to mines when they attempted to take it. So instead the allieds decided to send a land army to take it. British and Indian soliders were sent alongwith almost every Austrailian and New Zealand solider that had volunteered. They became known as Anzacs. (Austrailian and New Zealand Army Corp). They were different to the majority of soliders who went as they had all volunteered and had not been conscripted. They had also had very little training and had never fought before. The forces landed in April 1915 and came up against an extremely well trained Turkish army. For 9 months the allies dug in - the area around what is now known as Anzac Cove is very inhospitable, strong biting winds, no naturally growing food or water supplies amd open land - it was alos very steep. The Allies lost many thousands of soliders before being evacuated although the Turks lost alot more - around 250,000. What makes this battleground different to many others is the respect the Allies and the Turks had for one another. When the war was over Ataturk (the Turkish leader) made a speech directed at the mothers of the Anzacs

Those heroes that shed their blood
And lost their lives...
You are now lying in the soil of a friendly Country.
Therefore rest in peace.
There is no difference between the Johnnies
And the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side
Here in this country of ours...
You, the mothers,
Who sent their sons from far away countries
Wipe away your tears,
Your sons are now lying in our bosom
And are in peace
After having lost their lives on this land
They have become our sons as well

Today there is a very strong commaraderie between the Turks and the Anzacs and this is evident at the Anzac day Rememberance Services. On the morning of the 25th April, I joined 8000 others who had camped out at Anzac Cove to take part in the Dawn Service. After the service was completed a further 3 services took part at different cemetaries in the vaccinity. An Austrailian service, a Turkish Service and a New Zealand Service. At all three there were representatives of the three governments, all three national anthems were played at each service and were attended by the different nationalities. It was an incredibly moving experience and I am so pleased I was there. It was the complete respect and shared loss between the former enemies that made this service so much more moving - it seemed to honour the pointless loss of life more. I only wish all remembrance services could be like this.