A VISIT TO GALLIPOLI

Hokitika Guardian, 31 August 1921, Page 3

A VISIT TO GALLIPOLI

It is now possible to reach the Gallipoli Peninsula by way of Constantinople. The Orient train de luxe runs to the Turkish capital three times a week, the journey from London taking live days and four nights. The nearest stopping place to Anzac and th« other was areas is Chanak, on the Asiatic side of the Dardanelles. From Chanak a crossing is made to Kilid Balir, from which the battlcfieWs are 12 to 14 miles distant. The roads are bad, and a motor-car or horse conveyance is difficult to find. A recent visitor, writing in the “ Scotsman,” tells how he managed to make the journey, and found a wealth of interesting places and tilings to reward him. From Kilid Ruhr the road runs fo r some distance along the shore, giving fine views of the Straits, including the plains ot Troy, where the epic of Homor’s “Had” had birth. Then the road turns inland, passing the ruins of ti Turkish headquarters, and rising to the high ground of Achi Balia. This forms a ridge of country which slopes towards the British position, t.he ridge I icing about 700 ft above sea. Here was the main Turkish position. Tn front, the whole battlefield slopes gently away perfectly open in every part to riflo fire, and without any dead ground. Tlie general appearance of the battlefield is bare, open country, covered with tufts of short, coarse, wiry herbage, and showing the sandy soil between. Everywhere it is seamed with trenches, washed by the winter rains, and overgrown with weeds, but still deep. Here and there a little patch has been been sown with corn, hut generally Gallipoli has been left to utter barrenness. The Allied dead have been found and taken to well-kept cemeteries at V Bench, Twelve Tree Copse, and other places. But still the body of some unknown hero is to be found bidden in the low-shrubs. The remains of nil Englishman or Australian can bo readily distinguished, so say the staff of the Graves Commission. Stone walls will soon be built around thei cemeteries. but at present there are only wire fences. The neat wooden crosses and posts will be replaced by memorir.l stones. •"