And what is ANZAC by the way? ANZAC is an acronym for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps. It is formed during World War I in 1915.
And what does it have to do with Gallipoli? Well, during the World War I, the Gallipoli Peninsula (A long, narrow strait that connects Aegean Sea to the Marmara Sea – 61 km long) was a strategic location that provided sea route to Russia. In order to secure the strait, Russia asked help from Britain and France to gain control over the strait and fight the Turkish. After several lost, Australia and New Zealand troops join the forces and landed on Gallipoli, Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915. During the war, over 10,000 Australian & New Zealand Troops died and 23,000 wounded.
The Anzac Gallipoli Tour is a tour focusing on milestone and stories during the war and visiting places that becomes strategic spots where the battles and histories took place from 25 April to 20 December 1915. There are 14 battlefields that spread in the peninsula. While listening to the tour guide, we could also enjoy the scenery of the Gelibolu (now Gallipoli) beach side. These are the route of the tour. If you’re interested in learning further about the War, you can go to this site for more detail.
This is a monument located on the seaside dedicated for soldiers that died during the battle of Gallipoli. This was actually our departing point before we actually went to the “actual site” of Anzac Historic places. There are several others war hero that was remembered and put as statue on that beautiful memorial park.
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2. Kabatepe (Brighton Beach)
The area is called Gaba Tepe in Turkish, but the beach around it named by ANZAC as Brighton beach, a local beach in Melbourne, Australia. This is the original place where the Anzac supposed to land in the night of April 25th 1915. The objective was to take hold of hill known as Mal Tepe that is strategic to win the war by commanding the south towards the narrows of Dardanelles |
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This area (southern point of Anzac Cove) is also named hell Spit by Anzac. On the north, we can see the Island of Imroz and to the northwest we can see the Greek Island Samothrace. It is in this place that Private John Simpson Kirkpatrick was buried. John Simpson was famous for he rode a donkey on a mission to provide aid and carry wounded soldier for evacuation. He was killed during third attack on the Anzac Cove.
This place very famous since almost 50,000 of Anzac soldier arrived in the island through this place and many of them died in that place.
The now cemetery was once the first ANZAC landing place
This cemetery is used to those deceased in Gallipoli war from April – Deember 1915. The memorial both dedicated to those who are known and unknown. There are 1167 burials with 504 unknown burials.
In the May 19th 1915, 42,000 Turkish troop attacked this area, and resulting in the death of 3000 Turks 160 Anzac, and left 7000 Turks and 468 Anzac Wounded. On May 24th 2015 both parties allows each other to bury their dead because since 19 May to 24 May the dead are left unburied and started to rot.
This place is dedicated to honor Turks Soldier that died in Gallipoli War.
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The Gallipoli war/campaign took place since 25 April 1915 to 9 January 1916 (8 months, 2 weeks and 1 day) and took life of almost five hundred thousands Turks and British armies and allies (Australia, New Zealand, New Foundland, India, United Kingdom and France) during World War I.
The Gallipoli Tour gave us a glance about how bad the war is and the course of the war, strategies and battle by battle. It also taught me how both parties respect the history and those who died during the war. There are over 50 memorial, grave sites, and cemeteries dedicated to the armies around the area.
After the tour finished, we were transported back to Canakkale.
