ISTANBUL (AP) — Representatives from Australia, New Zealand, and Turkey came together Saturday morning in northwestern Turkey to mark 111 years since the deadly World War I Battle of Gallipoli took place.
The ceremonial event started at 5:30 a.m. local time close to the shoreline where forces from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, known as Anzacs, first came ashore at dawn on April 25, 1915.
The one-hour memorial featured somber musical pieces, religious observances, and wreath presentations by attendees, including delegates from numerous nations worldwide.
The Gallipoli military operation was part of a British-led strategy to overcome the Ottoman Empire but ended in failure, causing tens of thousands of casualties for all sides throughout the eight-month campaign. The mission sought to establish a maritime passage from the Mediterranean Sea through the Dardanelles to Istanbul and remove the Ottomans from the conflict.
This historic confrontation played a crucial role in shaping the national character of both Australia and New Zealand while also establishing lasting bonds with Turkey, their one-time opponent.
“From great suffering, understanding can grow. From former enemies, friendships can blossom. The relationship between Turkey, Australia and New Zealand is built on remembrance, respect and recognition of our shared humanity,” New Zealand’s Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro stated in her opening remarks.
Turkish Colonel Fatih Cansiz recited words from a 1934 memorial tribute by Turkey’s founding leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk honoring those who perished: “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 in this country of ours.”
Ataturk initially gained recognition leading Turkish troops at Gallipoli before later commanding Turkey’s independence movement and establishing the modern Turkish Republic.
