Today’s post is by Ash Clark, a writer from Australia, who traveled to Turkey to take part in the Gallipoli and Anzac Cove remembrance day, a poignant reminder of the innocent casualties of war.
Brighton Beach, found on the coast of the Turkish Dardanelles, is a humble beach with no stand out land features within its immediate surroundings. Put simply, it is ‘flat’ from the water of the ocean to the terrain that leads further inland.
From a military perspective, Brighton beach would be the textbook place to perform a strategic amphibious landing, perfect for moving land forces from their transport ships into hostile territory of an enemy force.
The flat terrain would allow for troops to quickly disembark from their landing vessels without the worry of disruptive fire from enemy positions on surrounding higher ground, establishing a strong foothold to stage the rest of their invasion of the territory.
The History of Gallipoli
On the dawn of April 25, 1915, such was the destiny for Brighton Beach, as a force of allied soldiers from the United Kingdom, France, India, Canada, Australian and New Zealand were to storm Brighton with the ultimate goal of capturing the Gallipoli Peninsular and the Ottoman Capitol of Constantinople, resulting in the removal of Germany’s main Ally to the East, opening the Black Sea to Allied Navies.
Brighton Beach, where the soldiers should have landed
However this was not to be the case. A combination of poor command and communication led to troops landing on the wrong beach North of Brighton.
The terrain where they landed instead and which was to become the death place for thousands
Harsh terrain and a resilient enemy in the form of the Ottoman Army resulted in a bloody conflict of stalemate, ending only when the Allied forces made a stealthy evacuation eight months later.
A memorial plaque at Anzac cove
The Death Toll
The failed attempt to “quickly” knock the Ottomans out of the war at Gallipoli resulted in the deaths of…
- 43,000 British
- 15,000 French
- 8,700 Australians
- 2,700 New Zealanders
- 1,370 Indians.
- Total Turkish deaths were around 60,000.
The grave of an Australian solider aged just 17
The area of the failed campaign is today known as ANZAC Cove, named after the combined force of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps which had their baptism of fire at Gallipoli, their first major military conflict as newly independent British Colonies.
Anzac Cove Entrance
The failed campaign at Gallipoli is sometimes referred to in Australia and New Zealand as “Our glorious defeat”, as even though it was considered a loss, the tremendous actions of the ANZAC troops continuously throughout the campaign against overwhelming circumstances, created an extremely powerful and lasting legacy, which many Australian’s and New Zealanders consider to be a defining part of their national identity.
Memorial at Anzac cove for the New Zealand soldiers
Yearly Services
The 25th of April is a public holiday in both Australia and New Zealand known as ANZAC Day. The day is highlighted with dawn service memorial ceremonies held all over the two countries where the actions of service personal in all military contributions are recognized, much the same as Armistice Day in Europe and Veterans Day in the USA.
Camping out, waiting for the dawn services to start
It is without need of reason that attending the battlefields of Gallipoli in Turkey are hugely popular amongst Australian and New Zealand tourists, especially for the annual Dawn Service and following ceremonies that are held there, often drawing crowds in excess of 20, 000 people.
Our tour group
The battle sites, memorials and cemeteries are well maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the Turkish Government. There are many tours operated in Turkey, which supply informative guides giving detailed accounts and information from both sides of the conflict and point out the significance of each site within the area.
Coming across sites like the Turkish 57th Regiment memorial (a unit who received 100% casualties) or within a short time of reading the age and inscriptions on the thousands of headstones, the reality of the sacrifices made here become apparent – especially when considering that a large portion of the graves belong to teenagers…
The Turkish 57th Regiment Memorial. Many of the fallen were teenagers
The beauty of what the ANZAC site at Gallipoli has become is not that it exists to glorify war, but rather to acknowledge the inspiring characteristics that shined brightest here during those dark times of war.
One of these significant legacies is the mutual respect between the Turks and their Aussie and Kiwi guests who they continually welcome with open arms – once enemies, now nothing short of brothers, a motion that was summed up beautifully by Kemal Ataturk in a speech to the first visitors to Gallipoli from Australia and New Zealand in 1934:
“Heroes who 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 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.”
The Beach Cemetery
Gallipoli is an extremely moving place. It’s most important legacy is that it emphasises the strength of unity that is now shared between former enemies.
May we continue to look to it as an inspiration to follow that principle with other countries and cultures – without having to waste our finest on the war part.
A lone solider remembering the fallen
Readers questions : Did you already know about Anzac day? Have you been to the battlefields of Gallipoli?
Love these photos. I went to Canakkale a couple of years ago and even out of season there were still a lot of people from Australia and New Zealand passing through the place in order to pay their respects.
Waegook Tom recently wrote about..Happy Anniversary To Me: 40 Things I’ve Learned About Life In Korea
Thanks Tom. Anzac Day is the main draw card but like you said, Aussies and Kiwis will most likely have a visit to the site on their agenda regardless of what time of the year it is…
Ash recently wrote about..Uganda: Making A Difference Without A Viral Video (Interview With Leonie Quayle)
Lovely post Natalie, we should never forget the tragedies of war and losses suffered by so many people, and the untold suffering of those who died in battle.
I never realized so many British died at Gallipoli.
Exactly right Bodlagz. It’s crazy to think that most of the men who endured and survived the conditions there at Gallipoli during the 8 month campaign ended up being sent straight to the Western Front…
. . and still these lessons are not learned. There is no such thing as a ‘Just War’ – they are always fought by the plebs and peons to secure the profits of the few. Heroism? Yes, sometimes – an utter waste? Always!
Alan, as an ex ‘grunt’ its hard for me to swallow what you are saying, but the older i am getting and the more I read into these events the more I know that you are 100% right…
Ash recently wrote about..8 Things You Should Know About Syria That Your News Anchor Doesn’t
what a waste of young men and so many of them 43000 British troops i didnt realize there was so many i always thought it was a australian new zealand .v. Turkish fight because its called anzac cove but more Britsh and French troops died there and a few Indians and not forgetting 60000 Turks
Ataturk’s words bought a tear to my eye what a inspiration he was i would like to have met him
The figures and the grave sites at Anzac are just overwhelming. I think they were merged in with the ‘British’ figures, but I know the Gallipoli Campaign is quite significant for the New Foundland Regiment of the Canadian Army as well…
I have video footage where i was reading the Ataturk quote, lets just say I could only get halfway through it. For a time that produced the likes of Hitler, Stalin and Mussolini, the Turks have a leader they can be truely proud of.
Ash recently wrote about..Meteora, Greece: A Hard Act to Follow…
Lovely post, so important to remember. I was in Gallipoli last year, a very moving site, and the Museum there was really interesting too, so much history. Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read and leave some feedback.
I had no idea about any of this! Thank you for such an educational and informative post; it’s always great to learn something new.
Christy @ Technosyncratic recently wrote about..Tulips and Windmills in Holland: A Photo Essay
I think there are quite a few people who don’t know Christy as it doesn’t seem to be in history lessons or mentioned in many books about the war.
Natalie recently wrote about..Flower Passage and Istanbul Nostalgia – Portraits From The Past
Thanks for checking it out and glad you found it informative!
This brought tears to my eyes. I’ve never really known the history behind ANZAC Day, so it was really moving to read this and learn more about it. Thanks for sharing.
Ali recently wrote about..Istanbul in Photos – Blue Mosque
It is moving Ali and i am so glad that Ash volunteered to write it for me
Natalie recently wrote about..Galata Tower and a 360-Degree View of Istanbul
It is such a moving topic and an especially moving place to visit. Thanks for taking the time to read it.
You know, I hadn’t learned much about Gallipoli of other battles like this until I came to Australia and visited the Canberra war memorial. It seems that this part of war history is just not taught to North Americans. Your post definitely sheds some light though
It is not taught in British history either Jade – I only learned about it when I came to Turkey
Natalie recently wrote about..23 Landscape Photos of Turkey
This could probably be said for a few country’s and their significant points of history. I only found out recently the significance of Vimy Ridge in France to Canadians. Very inspiring stories when you start to read into these less known battles etc. Thanks for the comments!
Ash recently wrote about..Uganda: Making A Difference Without A Viral Video (Interview With Leonie Quayle)
As an Australian, this is something that I definitely want to do at some point. My Great Grandfather actually fought at Gallipoli and survived, but later died in France. Visiting Gallipoli is almost like a pilgrimage for Australians now.
Dean recently wrote about..Photo of the week: Ao Chao Phao Beach on Koh Phangan, Thailand
It is amazing that your great grandfather survived the battle Dean as many did not. What they saw in those days of battle must of been terrifying
Natalie recently wrote about..A Honeymoon in Turkey – Ali and Andrew Tell Their Story