“Canakkale Battles”, also known as “The Gallipoli Campaign”, took place at Gelibolu peninsula in Turkey from April 1915 to January 1916, during the First World War.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that Canakkale in northwestern Turkey was the place where the first heartbeats of the Republic of Turkey were heard.
An international ceremony took place in Gelibolu Peninsula in the northwestern province of Canakkale to mark the 96th anniversary of the Canakkale Battles.
Wreaths were laid at the Monument of Martyrs on behalf of Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh, France, Canada, Germany, India, Ireland, Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
Davutoglu said at the ceremony, “this battle which claimed lives of our grandfathers, has laid foundation of sound friendly ties between Turkish, Australian and New Zealander peoples. We think that Canakkale was the place where the first heartbeats of the Republic of Turkey were heard. Modern Republic of Turkey has risen from the ashes of an empire thanks to courage and determination of young soldiers who sacrificed their lives to defend their country.”
“Canakkale Battles”, also known as “The Gallipoli Campaign”, took place at Gelibolu peninsula in Turkey from April 1915 to January 1916, during the First World War.
A joint British and French operation was mounted to capture the Ottoman capital of Istanbul and secure a sea route to Russia. Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) formed the backbone of a 200,000-man British-led army that landed at Gelibolu. The attempt failed, with heavy casualties on both sides. The campaign resonated profoundly among all nations involved.
Nearly 1 million soldiers fought in the trench warfare at Gelibolu. The allies recorded 55,000 killed in fighting with 10,000 missing and 21,000 dead of disease. Turkish casualties were estimated at around 250,000.
The battle is considered as a defining moment in the history of the Turkish people. The struggle laid the grounds for the Turkish War of Independence and the foundation of the Republic of Turkey eight years later under Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, himself a commander at Gelibolu.
AA
via Turkey holds int’l ceremony for Canakkale Battles 96th anniversary | Diplomacy | World Bulletin.