Thread: Anzac services begin in Gallipoli

Anzac services begin in Gallipoli
MARTIN KAY in Gallipoli
24/04/2010

Lest we forget

The first services to mark the 95th anniversary of the Anzac landings have begun in Gallipoli.

The Turkish International Service is just drawing to a close, and will be followed by the French and Commonwealth services later tonight New Zealand time.

Prime Minister John Key told the Turkish Service that it demonstrated the importance of the Gallipoli campaign not just for New Zealand and Australia but also for Turkey and the huge range of other nations involved.

"It is not just the sons of Europe that lie in the cemeteries on this peninsula, but also those of Asia, Africa and North America. This is a powerful testament to the true international nature of this conflict."

Defence Force chief lieutenant general Jerry Mateparae, a party of New Zealand veterans from other wars and a strong Defence Force contingent attended the service.

Wreaths were laid by Mr Key and representatives of Australia, Turkey, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Canada, Ireland, Britain and Germany, which were all involved in the Gallipoli campaign.

The service took place at the large Mehmetcik Abidesi site some way from Anzac Cove. It is the main Turkish memorial.

Turkey lost more than 86,000 dead in the Gallipoli campaign, which lasted for eight months before the allies withdrew in December 1915.

Security is tight across the peninsula for the services, and stretches of roads are clogged with the hundreds of busses carrying official parties and tour groups.

Thousands of Kiwi and Australian backpackers are expected to attend the Anzac Dawn service tomorrow.

stuff.co.nz

Kiwis and Aussies arrive in Gallipoli
Kim Chisnall
Sat, 24 Apr 2010


Thousands of New Zealanders and Australians are making their way to Anzac Cove to pay their respects at the annual dawn service

Thousands of New Zealanders and Australians are making their way to Anzac Cove to pay their respects at the annual dawn service.

Eceabat, the nearest town to the Gallipoli Peninsula, has welcomed this annual pilgrimage for over 20 years and it's beginning to resemble a town from down under.

It was once just another fishing village – but by virtue of being the closest town to the Gallipoli battlefields – in the last 20 years Eceabat has been transformed into a mecca for Australasian tourists.

The influence is visible everywhere.

“I'm a local, I was born on the peninsula, even my grandfather fought in this campaign so we grow old with the stories. It's a very special place for me,” says Gallipoli guide Bulent Korkmaz – with a thick Australian accent.

He may sound Australian but Mr Kormaz has never left Turkey – he's just spent 12 years guiding thousands of New Zealanders and Australians around the peninsula

He can even tell the accents apart.

“If the people say ‘excellent’, I can tell they're from New Zealand or if they say ‘tin’ or ‘six’,” he says.

As the RSA president once pointed out, this town and, in fact the whole of Gallipoli, Peninsula, is unique.

How many other government's can you think of that allow people – that once invade – to set up memorials for their dead?

Prime Minister John Key got a taste of Turkish hospitality today – they brushed off the red carpet and the put on their uniforms for his arrival.

Mr Key says the way the battle was fought at Gallipoli explains why we now have a unique friendship with Turkey.

“If you look at the history of the conflict that took place here, it is one that's been recorded as one where there was always respect between the Turkish forces and the Australian New Zealand forces and so in that respect, it was the most interesting of battles,” he says.

Regulars to Gallipoli say this year Turkey has subtly started reasserting its national identity – with battle ships on display and flags flying, they're keen to remind the rest of the world that Gallipoli has significance for them as well.

“This is the place where the independence of the modern Turkish republic has emerged, so we have to recognise and remember what happened here,” says Turkish Governor **.

3news.co.nz

Aussie, NZ flags to fly side-by-side on Harbour Bridge
Saturday Apr 24, 2010


The Australian flag will fly beside the New Zealand one at the Harbour Bridge.
Photos / Herald on Sunday

The Australian flag will fly alongside the New Zealand flag on the Auckland Harbour Bridge on Anzac Day tomorrow.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce said today having the flags flying together was a fitting tribute to the special relationship between the two countries born of the Anzac spirit.

"As a general rule we don't accept requests to have other countries' flags fly on the bridge but Anzac Day is a unique and special public day in New Zealand and I have asked the NZ Transport Agency to make it happen on behalf of the Government."

Two New Zealand flags fly on the Auckland Harbour Bridge every day of the year. The only other exception is Waitangi day when the Maori flag flies alongside the New Zealand flag to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

nzherald.co.nz