Süngübayırı Martyrdom Site

Süngü Bayırı Şehitliği is a memorial located on the ridge immediately behind the Turkish front line, at the southern boundary of the Arıburnu Front on the historic Gallipoli Peninsula, the site of the Çanakkale Battles.^【1】

Geographically, the memorial lies within the boundaries of Eceabat district of Çanakkale Province and is situated along the route between the 57th Regiment Memorial and Conkbayırı.^【2】

Land battles at the Arıburnu Front began on 25 April 1915 with the landing of Allied forces, primarily Anzac troops. Intense fighting continued in the area until the evacuation on 20 December 1915. The Ottoman Army launched major offensives on 27 April, 1 May, and 19 May 1915 to halt the invading forces and drive them into the sea.^【3】

Following the order issued by Commander of the 19th Division, Lieutenant Colonel Mustafa Kemal, who told his troops running out of ammunition: “I do not order you to attack; I order you to die,” bayonet charges carried out at this position formed the foundation of the defense.^【4】

The exact location and burial sites within the memorial were determined through the correlation of modern techniques and historical documents. During this process, the map of Şevki Paşa and the relevant divisional daily reports served as primary data sources. Information derived from written records was corroborated by geophysical radar surveys, which definitively identified nearly 600 burial sites where soldiers were interred without coffins. Based on these findings, the Gallipoli Historical Area Directorate of the Çanakkale Battles launched a comprehensive project to restore the memorial in accordance with its original form.^【5】

The main military units to which the identified and named fallen soldiers buried at the memorial belonged are as follows:

• 27th Regiment
• 48th Regiment
• 72nd Regiment
• 77th Regiment
• 125th Regiment.^【6】

The design of the restored Süngü Bayırı Şehitliği reflects the military symbolism of the era. The memorial site features a central monument, a Turkish flag flying on a pole, and well-organized walking paths.^【7】

The gravestones are designed in the shape of the “Enveriye,” a type of rounded cap worn by Ottoman soldiers during the First World War. The site also includes informational texts and panels for visitors.^【8】

Today, Süngü Bayırı Şehitliği plays an active role in initiatives aimed at transmitting national consciousness. At the center of these efforts is the project “The Flag Flying at the Memorial, the Crown of the Nation’s Children,” coordinated by the Ministry of National Education and the Gallipoli Historical Area Directorate of the Çanakkale Battles. As part of this project, Turkish flags flown at the memorial are delivered to schools across Türkiye to preserve the memory of the fallen and strengthen the public’s reverence for the national flag.^【9】