MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines on Thursday commemorated the Gallipoli landings and battles fought by Australia and New Zealand troops during World War I.
Ambassadors of New Zealand, Australia, Turkey, other foreign countries, defense officials, veterans students, soldiers, gathered in a wreath-laying ceremony hosted by the Philippine Army at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani in Taguig City.
Anzac Day is commemorated all around the world. It looks back on the campaign at the Gallipoli Peninsula, located in the southern part of East Thrace, the European part of Turkey, to engage Turkish troops on April 25, 1915.
Ambassadors of New Zealand, Australia, Turkey, other foreign countries, defense officials, veterans students, soldiers, gathered in a wreath-laying ceremony hosted by the Philippine Army at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani in Taguig City.
“The 20,000 Australians and 8,500 New Zealanders force suffered for months of standoff which resulted to 8,500 and 2,721 casualties, respectively. After nine months, the Gallipoli campaign was abandoned and in January 1916, the remaining troops were evacuated,” the Army said in a statement.
“Despite the failed attempt to extinguish the Turkish resistance, a nationhood between the then young countries of Australia and New Zealand were developed and their bilateral ties continues to strengthen today,” it added. /muf