A Drone Flew Over the Old Battlefields of Gallipoli and This Is What It Saw
This drone footage gives you a good idea of what the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey looks like today.
It’s quiet, rugged and dotted with over 30 war memorials and cemeteries.
A hundred years ago it was the site of an important World War 1 military campaign that pitted allied forces against the Ottoman Empire.
More than 140,000 men were killed on the two sides. Over 85,000 of that figure were from the Ottoman side.
Fighting against the Turkish defenders were the British Army, soldiers from Commonwealth countries (i.e. Australia, New Zealand and India) and France. See the images further below.
Soldiers from Australia and New Zealand (ANZACS) played a leading role.
After fighting for eight months in what could be described as a stalemate the allies evacuated the peninsula.
Friday marked the start of commemorations for those who died during the campaign. Thousands (mainly Australians and New Zealanders) are expected to attend commemorative events on the peninsula on Saturday.
To see what Gallipoli was like a hundred years ago see the images below.
Two unidentified soldiers at a sandbagged position near Russell’s Top. Behind them is the prominent landmark that was dubbed The Sphinx. (Image: Australian War Memorial)
Turkish soldiers in a covered shelter at Kanle Sirt. Copied from ‘Gallipoli Bedeutung und Verlavf der Kaempfe (Kampfe) 1915′ by Von Kannengiesser Pascha). (Image: Australian War Memorial)
Carrying British wounded on a stretcher through the trenches on the southern part of Gallipoli Peninsula. (Image: Australian War Memorial)
Soldiers in the trenches on the southern section of Gallipoli Peninsula. The men belong to the Royal Irish Fusiliers. (Image: Australian War Memorial)
A fatigue party of New Zealand Maori soldiers drag a large water tank up the hill from Anzac Cove onto a terrace built on the seaward side of the slope running up to Plugge’s Plateau. (Image: Australian War Memorial)
Gurkha soldiers in Gallipoli. (Image: Australian War Memorial)
A Sergeant Major of the Indian mule transport at Gallipoli. (Image: Australian War Memorial)
Anzac Beach, Gallipoli, 1915. Anzac Corps dugouts on Anzac Hill and supplies on the beach. (Image: Australian War Memorial)
Anzac Beach looking south beach Clearing Station within the first days of the landing at Anzac Cove. (Image: Australian War Memorial)
Three Australian Army soldiers attending to a wounded comrade at Gallipoli. (Image: Australian War Memorial)
Australian troops filing along the path in White’s valley to relieve the Lone Pine garrison. (Image: Australian War Memorial)
Tents of the 5th Australian Field Ambulance in Rest Gully. (Image: Australian War Memorial)
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Source: http://www.visiontimes.com/2015/04/24/a-drone-flew-over-the-old-battlefields-of-gallipoli-and-this-is-what-it-saw.html
