ANZAC Day – April 25
Çanakkale Savasi - the Gallipoli Campaign
Lessons not learned from the Petersburg Campaign, Virginia 1864 - trench warfare
11 months of Hell -- Feb 1915 - Jan 1916
I didn't really mean to write this long a post ... and to tell the truth, the original was far longer - I was going to turn it into a page like I did with the Overland Stage route. But it wasn't long enough to describe what I wanted to say - so I shortened it to this.
I've been fascinated with this battle for longer than I can remember - back to the 70s at least. I don't know why - my ancestors that were in this war were in France, I'm not connected to Australia in any way, and until Mrs DT came along, I had no connection to Turkey. Maybe because I was raised to respect Winston Churchill - and this was one of his greatest mistakes.
As it turned out, I visited Turkey with Mrs DT some years ago. Heading down from Istanbul on an overnight bus ride (far superior to US bus rides) to visit her mother, we ended up in Eceabat. I had no idea where I was; being still O-dark-thirty didn't help.
Until I saw the monuments in the early light.
Tarihe SaygI Aniti (Respect for History Monument)
Dedicated to those of both sides who died at Gallipoli
We had to travel across the battlefield to get to Mrs DT's place on what was known then as Imbros. We left from Gaba Tepe. I had heard the names but didn't realize I was standing there. Mrs DT didn't really tell me. Who plays tourist at home?
What really amazed me was the respect the Turks gave to their once enemies. Respect for the Christian cemeteries, the British/ANZAC monuments, even sovereign territory - something our people don't even do for ourselves. See any Confederate monument ...
It has been said by an Australian: "I don’t think it matters if there are two Gallipolis, one that belongs mostly to folklore and mythology and another that belongs to facts and reality. But I do think the factual story is the more affecting, the more worthy, if you like."
The Turks have a different view of the battle than the British ...
This post is still far too short to do the campaign justice ... and too long for a post.
If interested, I've added a link to the page.
If not - there'll be another post tomorrow ... or maybe another today if the muse strikes.