August 16th 2024.
The bushfires raging in Gallipoli, Turkey have caught the attention of the Returned & Services League of Australia, who are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the protection of the sacred WWI battleground. According to reports, the fires erupted earlier this week, sparked by intense heat and high levels of humidity in the region.
Although it is difficult to gather information from the area at this time, RSL Australia President Greg Melick shared that he is aware of the closure of the site in order to safeguard the local community and allow firefighters to combat the flames. "We have faith in the efforts of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, local authorities, and firefighters to preserve and restore the sacred sites and monuments, but we are still concerned about the severity of the situation," he stated.
At this time, it is uncertain if the bushfires have caused any damage to Australian war graves and memorials. This is a common occurrence in Turkey during the summer season, as the country frequently faces forest fires. Just two months ago, authorities announced that the scorching temperatures across the nation had led to a significant increase in forest fires compared to previous years.
Melick assured that the RSL will continue to seek updates from Turkish authorities regarding the landing site. As the location of the historic 1915 landing of Australian and New Zealand troops, the Peninsula holds a special significance for all three countries. It is the birthplace of the ANZAC legend, as acknowledged by the RSL.
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