This homeland was not easily held. Every Turkish citizen should definitely visit the Çanakkale Martyrs' Memorial at least once in their lifetime. With recent improvements, Turkish memorial sites have been unveiled, depicting the love for the homeland once again in the memories of visitors.
The Ottoman Empire was living through its final days. The great tree that had ruled the world for centuries had grown tired, aged, and was on the verge of disappearing. A series of lost wars had brought the Ottoman Empire to the brink of collapse. Under these circumstances, the technologically superior Allied forces had reached the Dardanelles. They aimed to cross the strait, capture the capital of the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul, and turn the empire into a colonial state.
The exhausted and worn-out Turkish nation, after a series of lost wars, was determined to prevent the enemy from stepping onto its land at any cost. The Turkish soldiers, with their might and courage, were resisting the greatest and most modern fleet of the time, with the soil being drenched in their blood. The last soldier on the front line did not leave his post until he gave his life, fighting back with all his might.
The fleet, confident that it would cross the strait, began to lose its ships one by one. Due to the unexpected superhuman resistance, they were forced to retreat, leaving much of their fleet in the deep waters of the strait. Realizing that crossing from the sea was not possible, the enemy began attacking Gallipoli with hundreds of thousands of soldiers gathered from many nations.
Mehmetçik risked his life to prevent the enemy from passing through, walking straight into death without blinking, saying, “I will die, but I will not allow the enemy to pass.” Thousands were heading toward Çanakkale. Mothers sent off their children, young girls sent off their lovers, and students sent off their classmates to the front. High schools did not graduate that year. They all lived a fate written in blood. But they fearlessly gave their lives to protect their homeland and nation.
History was witnessing the birth of a leader. The world watched as Mustafa Kemal entered the stage of history. The Turkish soldiers fought hand-to-hand, battling with their blood and lives, defeating the enemy, and changing the fate of the Turkish nation. Mustafa Kemal’s light shone brightly, and the Turkish nation remembered its true self, waking from a dark night to a bright morning. On March 18, the victory of Çanakkale was celebrated by the nation.
It is an epic written in blood. It is the silent cry of Mehmetçik, who gave up his own future for the future of his nation. It is the victory of hundreds of thousands who placed love for their homeland above their own lives, their parents, and their loved ones.
On this special day, we remember with respect and gratitude the great leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, his comrades-in-arms, and the heroic Mehmetçiks who sacrificed their lives for their homeland.
