[Daughters_of_Ataturk] ON THE EVE OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE GALLIPOLI CAMPAIN

ON THE EVE OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE GALLIPOLI CAMPAIN

 On the eve of 25 April 2005, on the occasion of the 90^th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign of 25 April 1915, the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye, the Australian High Commission, and the New Zealand High Commission had jointly arranged for the screening of the documentary film of the Epic of Gallipoli in Ottawa at the National Library.

This documentary on the fascinating story of Australia and New Zealand Army Core (ANZAC) and Turks was directed by a young Turkish film producer Kürsat Kizbaz. Thanks to the organizers that the director appeared during the show for short remarks, answering questions and signing out the CDs of the film.

More than 300 seated, so many standing audience mainly Canadians, Turks, Australians, New Zealanders had refreshed their knowledge of the fact or newly had an opinion of the FWW. Turkish Ambassador Mr. Erman had summarized the War: "Soldiers suffered from both sides, they heard each other, exchanged tobaccos and chocolates." New Zealand High Commissioner Mr. Graham Kelly declared, "Australia and New Zealand were new nations then. It was a massive defeat for us." Deputy High Commissioner of Australia, Mr. Tony Huber, lastly said, "Mustafa Kemal (Ataturk) remembered no difference between Jony and Mehmet. Turkey and the memories of the War are gaining an increased popularity among the young people in Australia."

The narration by Rutkay Aziz, Zekai Müftüoglu, Yildiz Kenter, Ziya Kurkut, Mazlum Kiper, and music by Tuluyhan Ugurlu. The shots were pretty well taken and expertly matched with the historical black and white scenes. (Note: This film of Gallipoli by Kürsat Kizbaz should not be mixed up with the new controversial movie of Gallipoli produced by Tolga Ornek.)

The film was reflecting what happened during the fire exchanges. In short, most of the aspects of the sad confrontation were brought up. After the show, at the cocktail reception, the red wine was provided by the Australian, the white by the New Zealand High Commission, and together with the soft drinks, food and baklava were courtesy of the Turkish Embassy.

As I managed to have a word from Kürsat for a short meeting, the following morning I woke him up at his hotel room. Although our original intention was for only 10 minutes togetherness, I ended up with having the pleasure of being his tour guide (!) for a couple of hours, before his departure for the other engagements.

One of my early questions was if the movie had been presented in New York City. Upon his "Yes!" answer, my next questions were if he was introduced to the group of Light Millennium and if he met with Ms. Bircan Unver. With a comfort, his responses to these questions were also positive. I think he felt that the ice between us melted away. With this ease, we decided to walk together uptown to see around and window-shopping. I explained:

"This is the City Hall, nearby your hotel. After the amalgamation, the Greater city of Ottawa consisted of 22 municipalities. The population of Ottawa is about 500,000. The Ottawa Public Library has its 33 branches in the city. Libraries provide members and visitors, among other services, use of computers in numbers for word processing and/or internet access. To my astonishment, even bikes are allowed to bring into the library, all the way up to the upper levels as well."

Kizbaz was fascinated by what I said so far: "This is National Arts Centre which is North America's most diversified bilingual (English and French) performing arts complex presents live theatre, opera, dance and music. To our left is the Sparks Street Mall for pedestrians only. This is the War Monument of the First and Second World Wars, and the Korean War. Over there with the Clock Tower are the Parliament Buildings housing the Senate, the House of Commons, the Library, the Hall of Honor and the impressive Peace Tower and Memorial Chamber. It is considered one of the most beautiful government centers in the world."

Kursat was admiring all he saw and heard. While crossing an unnoticeable bridge, I pulled him to the right to show him an empty canal. He was not interested to see such a bare and dirty canal. When I told him that this was a historical 202-kilometer waterway built in late 1820s and early 30s, by Colonel By, used during the American Civil War, connecting Rideau River to Ottawa River by seven locks at this end and by 2-3 locks at the Hartwell Locks (Hogs Back) some eight kilometres away, allowing small boats to sail, he was thrilled.

But that was not all there was. "This Rideau Canal is used for outdoor skating during winter. The water gets frozen and it is maintained by the City for recreational or competitive skating. This world's longest (7 km) skating rink is the location for famous Winterlude Festivities, during first two weeks of February."

He couldn't believe what I said, and bombarded me with questions. I carried on: "This building next to the Canal was the Railway Station which is now used as Conference Center connected by an underground passage to the Chateau Laurie Hotel across the street. The Trans-Canada-Railway built in the past and the Trans-Canada-Highway completed in 1962, contributed to the unification of the land East to West."

We passed by the Rideau Shopping Centre and came to an old district called Byward Market. The bright and warm weather allowed us to walk and talk leisurely. "Since 1840s, farmers have set up market stalls from which they sell local produce, flowers, and maple syrup. Outdoor/indoor restaurants, gourmet and coffee shops, artisan boutiques and galleries add to the Market's lively character."

That was all the time that I could spare for our young film producer Kürsat Kizbaz. He and I both had our previous engagements. I shook hands to say good bye of the famous director of the coming years. He was a student at the University of Istanbul at 23 when he shot "The Epic of Gallipoli". In fact his first documentary film was Mevlana. His second film Gallipoli was to be shown in 40 countries. He had projects for the future.

The name of Gallipoli reminds us the city of Gallipolis in southern Ohio, the USA, the third oldest European settlement, founded in 1790. The name means "city of the Gauls"... During the American Civil War its strategic location resulted in economic prosperity. Troops were channelled through the city, and traffic on the Ohio River increased.

Going back to our main subject of Gallipoli, have a look or give an ear to what happened 90 (some) years ago: The first of the European neutrals to join the fray was the Ottoman Empire. A secret German-Ottoman treaty was signed on August 2, 1914. The Ottoman fleet bombarded Odessa and the Crimean ports in October and sank two Russian ships. This was the beginning of the end of the large and strong Ottoman Empire...

Since Russia was effectively isolated from its Western allies, the Ottomans also declared a holy war, inciting Muslims to rise up against British and Russian rule in India, Persia and Asia. Turkish forces deployed along the coasts of the Dardanelles and on the Caucasus frontier with Russia. When Russia requested a Western assault on Turkish forces to relieve the pressure in the Caucasus, War Secretary Lord Kitchener and First Lord of the admiralty Winston Churchill promoted an attack on the Dardanelles.

By capturing Istanbul, the British could link up Russians and knock Turks out of the war. The British War Council created an amphibious force of British, Australian, and New Zealanders (with symbolic Indian and Canadian troops) to capture the heights of Gallipoli.

On April 25, the ANZAC forces went ashore, but their assaults were turned back through the charismatic leadership of the young Turkish officer Mustafa Kemal (Ataturk).

A smelting, bloody deadlock dragged on into the summer. Reinforcements failed to take the rugged heights in the face of human wave counterattacks by the Turks.

(Historical Turkish mine ship Nusrat, which had laid dreadful mines to the waters of the Dardanelles and had changed the destiny of the War, after her last trip to the port of Mersin, is now being displayed in the "Dardanelles Peace Park" in the city of Tarsus.)

Cabinet opinion gradually turned against the campaign, and the Allied forces were evacuated with a dangerous operation conducted in January 1916. The Turks had lost some 300,000 men, the Allies about 250,000 to battle and disease.

Every year on the 25^th of April, ANZACs and Turks, along with other people from all over the world, get together to remember the "sweet sorrow" of the battles of the First World War. Among the topics shared are the courage and humanistic approach of the Turkish soldiers, the unknown reasons for ANZAKs coming all the way from tens of thousands kilometres distance to fight and die in an unknown land...

Gallipoli was, in Clement Atlee's words, "the one strategic idea of the War". Canadian writer Paul Butler in his article of "Poetry is such sweet sorrow" appeared in Atlantic Books Today, Spring 2005, draws the attention of the readers to "Four poets lead us down a road of hope, and hopeless". 'Songs of the Wounded' by Gregory M. Cook that explore human relationships through telling detail…

"In 'How I Love You This Morning' the sight of a flock of hungry seagulls and an abandoned, upturned grocery cart becomes beautiful through the eyes of a lover…

The poet goes on to wonder, sadly, [how many wars have been lost, how many /
are being, or about to be waged / where all we wish is love on the green?]"

            "Peace at home, peace in the world!" as Gazi Mustafa Kemal said…

 

Mehmet Ali Sulutas, Researcher, Writer, Interpreter

BA (Econ) U of Istanbul, '64; MBA, U of Ottawa, '80

(Designated by the Canadian Embassy in Ankara, Türkiye)

Honorary Warden of the Canadians living in southern Türkiye
Honorary Member of the Turkish Culture Institute in Tokyo, Japan
Former President of the Turkish Canadian Cultural Association, Ottawa
Founding President of the Alliance of NGOs in Mersin in southern Türkiye
Founding Secretary General of Canadian Federation of Turkish Associations  
Founding Secretary General of Turkish-Arab Businessmen's Association, Mersin
Founding Secry General of Turkish Association of Translation Companies (TUATC)  

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