ANZAC Day 2015

On this day, at dawn, one hundred years ago a combined force of 20,000 Australian and New Zealand infantry began landing on a beach (now known as ANZAC Cove) on the Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey.
They were part of an allied invasion force under British command charged with the task of securing the Dardanelle Straits to allow a naval force to take Constantinople (Instanbul). This strategy was devised to shorten World War I which was already stalling on fields of Western Europe.
Eight months later, after little ground was gained, this ill planned and implemented campaign concluded with the evacuation of all allied forces.
By then 11,400 ANZACs were dead.

Every year on this date, Australia and New Zealand commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice and served during this action as well as in the two world wars and the wars, conflicts and peace keeping operations that were to follow.
Around the country, in cities, regional towns and small villages dawn services are held and later in the morning the National Service is held at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. 
Veterans' marches also take place.
In Turkey, large groups of Australians and New Zealanders gather at Anzac Cove for the dawn service there.