ANZAC Cove is in the Gallipoli Peninsula Historical National Park on the Mediterranean coast of the country of Turkey. Coach Tours can be arranged to attend the 25th/26th of April ANZAC day commemorations either separately or as part of wider tour of the country. Bus Services are available from Sultanahmet, the tourism precinct of Istanbul, Turkey's largest city. You can get to Istanbul via international flights and trains.
There are many Hotels in Istanbul, Turkey that cater for people wishing to attend the memorial site and/or services. ANZAC Day Tours will usually include accommodation.
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This small cove on Turkey's Gallipoli (Turkish-'Gelibolu') Peninsula was made famous during World War I when the ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) force landed here on the 25 of April 1915. The first major combat in WWI for both countries, this landing was part of an amphibious invasion by Allied troops to take the Ottoman forts which controlled the Dardanelles Strait.
The Gallipoli Campaign was originally intended to be an entirely naval operation but the loss of three battleships on March 18 convinced the Allies that assistance from the army was needed to defeat the strategic forts guarding the strait. This new amphibious assault was planned as a swift strike by ANZAC and British forces, though that was not to be. Leaders who knew the operation's plan were killed or wounded and evacuated, leaving the beachhead in utter chaos and turning the offensive in a long and bloody eight-month struggle. Throughout the remainder of 1915 the Allies tried to break through the Turkish lines and the Turks tried to drive the allies from the peninsula. Both sides consistently failed and the ensuing stalemate lasted until the 19th/20th of December when, in what is considered the most successful operation of the Gallipoli campaign, under cover of comprehensive deception, the remaining troops were finally evacuated. Despite the 26,111 Australian casualties, including 8,141 deaths, Gallipoli had no appreciable influence on the course of World War I.
ANZAC Day, probably Australia's most important national occasion, is held every year on the 25th of April to commemorate and remember, not only those who fought and died at Gallipoli, but all who have served and died for their country. Traditionally the day begins with ceremonies at dawn, symbolically linked to the dawn landing at Gallipoli, which are followed by a 'gunfire breakfast' (coffee with added rum), which recalls the 'breakfast' taken by soldiers before facing battle, and later in the day, veterans and current serving men and women join in marches throughout cities and towns.
Photo by Adam Jones Ph.D. Enlarge
On ANZAC day in 1985, the Turkish Government officially recognised the name 'ANZAC Cove' for the site of the landing. Due to number of people attending the ANZAC Day Dawn Services, a new 'ANZAC Commemorative Site' was constructed in time for the 2000 service. Although it's not on Australian soil this landmark lies deep in the hearts of many Australians.
"Lest We Forget" ANZAC Day Motto
