Cape Helles, Naval strategic cape at Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey
Cape Helles is the southwestern tip of the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey, marking the entrance to the Dardanelles Strait from the Aegean Sea. The rocky coastline is lined with historic landing beaches, a war memorial, and the Seddülbahir fortress.
British and French forces landed here on April 25, 1915, and met strong resistance from Ottoman defenders in one of the largest campaigns of the First World War. After months of fighting, the Allied forces withdrew without achieving their strategic goals.
The memorial at the cape carries the names of more than 20,000 soldiers from the British Empire who died during the Gallipoli Campaign. Visitors can read the engraved inscriptions and get a sense of the scale of loss that still defines this place today.
The cape is reachable from the main peninsula road by following signs marked "Abide". Sturdy footwear is a good idea, as the paths leading to the memorial and the fortress are uneven and can be steep in places.
Across Morto Bay stands the Turkish Martyrs' Monument, a tower about 42 meters tall dedicated to the Ottoman defenders of the peninsula. The two memorials face each other at close range, offering two very different perspectives on the same battlefield.
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