Day 19 ANZAC Cove

Although not able to get ashore, sitting just off ANZAC Cove we were able to get a real feeling of the significance of this historic land. Luke & Louise began the day early with many others for a special dawn service overlooking the cove.

 As the sun broke through some veterans on board respectfully gave some prayers and a lone trumpeter played the last post across the bay to the deserted cove.

We stood in silence to remember the thousands of soldiers who lost their lives in this exact spot.

The cove itself looks quite small from the sea and is actually only about 600 metres long. The terrain behind it is steep gullies and would take considerable effort to pass even today. We spent several hours anchored out from ANZAC Cove and it was amazing to look at the landscape approaching from the sea as the many young soldiers would have done not so long ago.

There are several memorials and cemeteries along the shore paying tribute to the fallen soldiers from the countries involved in the conflict. In just over 8 months the British lost 21000 men, France 10000 men, Australia 8000 men, New Zealand 2000 men and Canada 500 men. The Turkish lost almost 90000 men.

One of the veterans who has stood at the cove read some stirring words written by Kemel Ataturk which are engraved forever at ANZAC Cove:

“Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives…

You are now living in the soil of a friendly country,

Therefore…rest in peace.

There is no difference between the Johnies 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 faraway 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”