100 years ago yesterday, 25th April 1915, the ANZACS landed on Gallipoli. 10000 people attended the dawn service on the Gallipoli Peninsular, which we watched live on ABC TV. Over 200,000 people turned out to watch the traditional Anzac Day march in Sydney, this year blessed by fine weather, and we also watched the telecast of that. There were marches and services in just about every town and city throughout Australia and New Zealand, honouring not war itself, but those who fought and died in war, serving their respective countries. May they be remembered with pride forever.
What sometimes tends to be forgotten is that the Turks were only defending their homeland against the foreign invaders and, while allied losses were enormous, the Turks lost about 87,000 men killed. Now, Turks and Aussies, as well as Kiwis, are friends, and the Turks lovingly maintain the Anzac war graves, honouring them as they do their own. Perhaps this is an example of the futility of war?
Peter.