August Offensive

This morning marks the 100th anniversary of the capture of Chunuk Bair.

Two days earlier was the main Australian assault on Lone Pine, supposedly a diversionary attack for our assault.

Names that are synonymous with the Gallipoli campaign,

I was lucky enough to be able to stand on the top on Chunuk Bair just over 5 years ago.

It's hard to describe what it was like wandering around the area.

The Dardanelles (as seen from Chunuk Bair) 

To get there, New Zealand troops moved up and assaulted along Rhododendron Ridge.

The tour I was on was able to get off the beaten track a bit and spend the day with a walk down this ridge. Here's some of what we were walking down....

I would guess that perhaps little has changed in 95 years, but there were no stairs in 1915. It was dark. There were no guides. We weren't loaded down with packs and trying to remain silent.

It amazes what feats were able to be achieved.

You can just make out a flag in the haze - that is Chunuk Bair

View of North Beach from the ridge

I wonder where my Great-Grandfather was amongst all this. He was in a field ambulance section. Was he here helping the wounded or was he little luckier to still be around a quieter part of the line?

We will remember them.

Edit: Adding a link to an article on my experiences at Gallipoli