Everywhere you looked there were reminders of the importance to the Turks of what happened to them in 1915.

Right in the middle of the main street of Canakkale is a traffic island with these two large guns on display. They had been used in the battle with the British Navy on 18 March 1915. That was the day the British Navy tried to sail through the Dardanelles Straits.

Our guide, Captain Ali Efe, (who turned out to be a retired Turkish submarine captain), on the bus talking to our tour group.

The town of Canakkale as we departed going across to the town of Gallipoli. It is on the east side of the Dardanelles.

The British Navy had first tried to shell and bomb the forts on the sides of the Straits on the 18 March 1915.

They lost 3 battleships sunk to hidden mines. The British became confused. They did not know if they were being hit by guns, mines or submarine torpedoes. They decided could not get through and retreated.

It was this failed Navy attack that led to the British Army making their attack with the Anzacs on 25 April 1915.

18 March was the first great victory to the Turkish people, and the big notice on the side of the hill above the buildings commemorates that event.

 One of the many car ferries crossing the Strait. You can see the fort at Kilid Bahir in the distance.

 

Just across the Strait is the village and fort of Kilidbahir. The old fort had guns involved in the 18 March battle, as did the fort at Canakkale.

Our ferry boat approaching Gallipoli town. Gallipoli is on the west side of the Dardanelles Straits, while Canakkale is on the eastern side. The large car ferries go from here to Canakkale. It takes about 20 minutes on the ferry.