GALLIPOLI PENINSULA, Turkey - Thousands of Australians and New Zealanders on Saturday thronged the beaches of Turkey's Gallipoli peninsula to remember the heroism and sacrifice of their forefathers in the World War I campaign against the Ottoman Empire 100 years ago.
Troops from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) launched their first amphibious assaults on the Gallipoli Peninsula in what is now western Turkey on April 25, 1915, splashing through the waters into a rain of Ottoman gunfire.
Many were killed in the initial assault and the overall Allied campaign ended in failure and evacuation.
But the spirit shown by the Anzac troops has long been seen as critical in forging a national identity in New Zealand and Australia. Both commemorate April 25 as Anzac Day.
Their descendants of all ages -- many wrapped in national flags as extra protection against the early morning cold -- attended the dawn service at what is now known as Anzac cove where the first attacks were concentrated.
The Anzac service as the sun rises above the Aegean Sea is a traditional annual event but gained extra importance in this centenary year, with even greater numbers than normal and an intense security blanket thrown around the area.
"Like every generation since, we are here on Gallipoli because we believe that the Anzacs represented Australians at our best," said Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott at the service, which was also attended by New Zealand Premier John Key and the heir to the British throne Prince Charles.
Some 8,700 Australian and 2,800 New Zealand soldiers died thousands of miles from home in a devastating loss for the then thinly populated young nations.
Abbott recalled how the first Anzacs were "tradesmen, clerks, labourers, farmers and professionals" from all levels of society, "ordinary men (who) did extraordinary things".
As dawn broke, the bugler played the last post and the crowd fell silent for two minutes.
In Australia and New Zealand, record numbers of people also turned out to mark the centenary, with dawn services and parades held across the two countries.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II marked the centenary by leading a two-minute's silence at London's Cenotaph war memorial, honouring all of those killed during the ill-fated campaign.
AFP
