Famous Statements of Mustafa Kemal ATATURK for ANZAC Soldiers

When 1. World War broke out in 1914 Australia had been a federal commonwealth for only 13 years. The new national government was eager to establish its reputation among the nations of the world. In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula to open the way to the Black Sea for the allied navies. The plan was to capture Istanbul(old Constantinople), capital of the Ottoman Empire and an ally of Germany.

Gallipoli Map

They landed at Gallipoli on April 25, meeting fierce resistance from the Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated after Turks had defended their countries bravely. In the Gallipoli war, Both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships.

Grave monument for ANZAC Soldiers

Turkish Commander Mustafa Kemal Pasha (Kemal Ataturk) in trenches at Gallipoli

Although Australians and New Zealand had attacked to Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk had made this great speech for them!


Ataturk's Reconciliation Statement

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 JOHNNIES AND 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.

MUSTAFA KEMAL ATATURK (1881-1938)