AustLit

Gallipoli Campaign, 1915 has been studied from a variety of perspectives relying on the historical and military records. Especially the academic interest is noteworthy and the scholarly input is remarkable in the works of the combatant countries. However, the fictional representations and personal stories of the Gallipoli campaign have been limited compared to the grand historical narratives produced by the combatant countries. Objective grand historical narratives dominate the field of study while the subjective stories have been ignored and the human side left out. It is great to see a growing interest on the representations of Gallipoli in the recent years. Remembering the Gallipoli Campaign through writing has become a significant effort in many areas ranging from military history to fiction. As the centenary of the First World War is approaching there is more need to remember and commemorate the Gallipoli campaign in a variety of perspectives. In this respect, it is significant to remember and voice the untold stories of the Gallipoli Campaign by acknowledging Mehmetcik along with the Anzac soldiers, who died in Gallipoli and are still resting there. When Anzac and British troops deserted the Gallipoli Peninsula they left behind a lot of stories hidden in the trenches, the blue waters of Dardanelles and the rocky hills of Anzac Cove. If these personal stories are unearthed the grand narration will also benefit and be enriched with the contribution of the human voice. Without the human voice the military history of the campaign will be incomplete and many of the details lost.' (Publication abstract)