Gallipoli

I took this photo back in 2007 when we visited Turkey but thought, to commemorate Anzac Day, I would use it as my blip for today. I was surprised how small the cove was and how steep the hinterland. Our tour guide made the day very special and explained that the Turks initially were not even defending this area as they assumed no one would be crazy enough to attempt land here. Apparently, because the invading forces been supplied with old, inaccurate maps, they did land here and the rest is history.

At ANZAC Cove there is a sandstone monument that records the words of Ataturk in 1934;
"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 Jonnies and the 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."

I was struck by the way Turkey was, within twenty years, able to forgive those who invaded their shores.