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Turkey commemorates its martyrs on the 99th anniversary of the Ottoman victory during World War I over Allied fleets attempting to break through the Dardanelles Strait in the North-Western province of Çanakkale.
"Deprived of modern weapons of any kind, the people of Turkey united and fought against the best-equipped armies of the day to forge an unforgettable and glorious history. This victory also serves as a symbol and a source of inspiration for other nations waging a struggle for their independence and liberty."
Fierce battle in Dardenelles
The Allies in the First World War attempted a naval breakthrough in March 1915 through the Dardanelles Strait with the aim of capturing the Ottoman capital of Istanbul and securing a much-needed sea route to Russia. After a number of British and French capital ships were either sunk or damaged, however, the Allies were forced to abandon the naval campaign.
The Gallipoli battle also marked the rise of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk as an Ottoman commander, as he served there as an officer. Around 1 million troops, including many Australians and New Zealanders, participated in the trench warfare in Gallipoli, which is regarded as a defining moment in the history of the Turkish nation.
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