Memories haunt both sides of Gallopoli

[tomifune]

http://news.yahoo.com/memories-haunt-both-sides-gallipoli-tragedy-100-years-094859452.html

 

[tonydawe]

I posted these comments on my Facebook page last week in response to what I see as the growing commercialisation of ANZAC here in Australia.

"The build up to the centenary anniversary of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 have seen an orgy of revisionist self-congratulation, triumphant nationalism, blatant commercialisation and crass sensationalism. These commemorations conveniently airbrush history and try to disguise the fact that Gallipoli was a terrible defeat for Australia and the Allies, both strategically and tactically.

Out of Gallipoli both Australia and Turkey found a new national identity and a new sense of themselves, and over the past 100 years the crucible of Gallipoli has helped build a very real friendship and mutual respect between our countries. This was never more eloquently nor more generously expressed than in the words of Mustafa Kemal, who commanded Turkish Forces during the Gallipoli campaign and later became the President of Turkey.

"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."

These words still bring a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes. These heartfelt and honest sentiments express the grief, pain and loss and also the deep mutual respect that lies at the heart of Australia's Gallipoli experience.

This is not a time to celebrate and wave the flag. It is a time for quiet and sober reflection about the futility of war and offer our solemn and sincere thanks for the people who sacrificed their lives and those who came home scarred by the experience of war.
To my facebook friends who don't quite know what to make of ANZAC Day and don't have any personal connection to ANZAC, I invite you to consider the words of Ataturk and imagine the courage and the generosity of spirit it took to say those words about an enemy. To my facebook friends who have served, thank you.

We will remember them."

I know there a large number of Planeteers who are ex-military people like me, who understand that war is not glorious and it should not be celebrated.

Lest we forget.

 

[DancingShaman]

As a Turkish citizen I could write so many things about Gallipoli. But I guess Ataturk put it the best way possible. Turkish and Anzac soldiers managed to become friends and respected each other even at times of war. They literally smoked and chatted together as both sides were picking up the dead and wounded. They showed the world that if this be done at the lines in a war, then it can be done anytime anywhere. All rest in Peace.

Osman

 

[Colin_Fraser]

I have seen this too Tony and I asked on FB why Anzac Day is celebrated, or even venerated more than any analogous WWI battle anniversaries here in Canada, a sister Dominion. We have seen virtually nothing official for Second Ypres where Canadian infantry resisted the first mass gas attack and I expect we won't see anything like Anzac for the anniversary of Vimy Ridge either. That battle is regarded as Canada's birth as an independent nation. I expect a few recycled TV specials and a Stepen Harper PM photo op for Vimy.

I think the nationalization of a battle anniversary is distasteful to many. It was a risk with the Waterloo 200 but things seem to have remained under control.

Ataturk's words should live forever as being immensely gracious.

Colin

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Osman,

Thanks for your comments. It's not often we get to hear the Turkish side of the Gallipoli story, but we understand and respect the deep significance Gallipoli has to the Turkish people.

It's not often that enemies become friends after war, but the experience of Gallipoli forever bonded Australia, New Zealand and Turkey in friendship in a way that rarely is seen. Proof of this lies in the memorials established in Australia and New Zealand to Mustafa Kemal "Ataturk" and the words of peace that he gave to us, which we have remembered. I've attached some photos of these memorials to show you and your Turkish brothers and sisters how deeply respected Ataturk is here.

Colin, you're right. "Immensely gracious" is a very good description of what Ataturk said. I hope that during the Centenary of ANZAC Day, the Australians and New Zealanders stop to remember the Turkish soldiers who fought and died to defend their homeland.

 

[MCPWilk]

On the BBC Website:
The Gallipoli campaign 1915-16

• 350,000 British troops, 35,000 died
• 79,000 French troops, 10,000 died
• 74,000 Anzac troops, 10,000 died
• 400,000 Turkish troops, 86,000 died

Source: Prof Carl Bridge, King’s College London

Interestingly my late father who grew up in pre-war Sydney and served as a Lancaster navigator in 463 Squadron RAAF based at RAF Waddington once told me that until he came to England in 1943, he had been unaware that there were any British or French troops at Gallipoli, and that it was an ANZAC Campaign. Gallipoli was in essence first blood for the ANZACS, but a relative side show for the French and British. The Australian Historian, Charles Bean, later reported that Aussies who served on both the Western Front and Gallipoli regarded the horrors of the former as being far worse than the latter.

Mike