Voices from Gallipoli: Steve Sailah's Podcast that Brings History to Life
Steve Sailah: A Journalist and a Novelist Who Brings Gallipoli to Life
Steve Sailah is a former ABC foreign correspondent who has spent more than three decades covering wars, conflicts, and disasters around the world. He is also a passionate writer who has published two historical novels based on his extensive research and personal experience of Gallipoli, one of the most significant events in Australian and New Zealand history. In this article, we will explore how Steve Sailah became fascinated by Gallipoli, how he brought its stories to life in his books and podcast, and why his work matters today.
steve sailah stories from gallipoli
The Gallipoli Campaign: A Brief History
The Gallipoli campaign was a military operation that took place during World War I between April 1915 and January 1916. It involved an allied force of British, French, Australian, New Zealand, Indian, and Newfoundland troops who attempted to capture the Dardanelles strait from the Ottoman Empire, which was allied with Germany. The allies hoped to open a sea route to Russia, weaken Turkey, and force Germany to divert its troops from the Western Front.
However, the campaign turned out to be a disaster for the allies, who faced fierce resistance from the Turkish defenders led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who later became the founder of modern Turkey. The allies suffered heavy casualties and failed to achieve their objectives. They eventually withdrew from Gallipoli after eight months of bloody stalemate.
The Gallipoli campaign was a defining moment for Australia and New Zealand, who were still young nations at the time. It was the first major military action that involved their troops as part of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). The campaign tested their courage, endurance, and loyalty, and forged a sense of national identity and pride. It also gave rise to the Anzac spirit, a set of values and qualities that are still cherished and celebrated today.
Steve Sailah's Journey to Gallipoli
Steve Sailah first visited Gallipoli in 1985 as a journalist covering the 70th anniversary of the landing of the Anzacs. He was captivated by the landscape, the history, and the stories of the men who fought there. He interviewed some of the surviving veterans, who shared their memories, emotions, and regrets with him. He also met some of the Turkish people, who welcomed him with hospitality and respect. He was moved by the mutual admiration and friendship that had developed between the former enemies over the years.
Steve Sailah returned to Gallipoli several times over the next decades, each time learning more about the campaign and its aftermath. He visited the battlefields, the cemeteries, the memorials, and the museums. He read books, diaries, letters, and reports. He talked to historians, archaeologists, and descendants of the Anzacs and the Turks. He collected stories, facts, and insights that inspired him to write his own stories about Gallipoli.
The Anzac Spirit
One of the things that Steve Sailah wanted to capture in his stories was the Anzac spirit, which he defined as "a combination of courage, mateship, humor, resilience, and compassion". He said that he was impressed by how the Anzacs faced the hardships and horrors of war with dignity and determination. He also admired how they cared for each other and helped each other survive. He said that he saw examples of the Anzac spirit in many of the people he met during his career as a journalist.
Steve Sailah also wanted to show that the Anzac spirit was not exclusive to the Australians and New Zealanders. He said that he respected and appreciated the Turkish soldiers who fought bravely and honorably to defend their homeland. He said that he recognized that they had their own stories, perspectives, and values that deserved to be heard and understood. He said that he hoped that his stories would promote a dialogue and a reconciliation between the two sides.
Steve Sailah's Books on Gallipoli
Steve Sailah published his first novel on Gallipoli in 2014, titled Killing at Anzac. His second novel, A Fatal Tide, followed in 2015. Both books are set during the Gallipoli campaign and feature fictional characters based on real people and events. They also explore themes such as war, love, friendship, betrayal, justice, and forgiveness.
Killing at Anzac
Killing at Anzac tells the story of Dusty Miller, a young Australian soldier who witnesses a murder at Gallipoli on his first day of combat. He sees a British officer shoot an unarmed Turkish prisoner in cold blood. He is shocked and outraged by this act of brutality, but he is also afraid to speak up for fear of being labeled a traitor or a coward.
Dusty Miller decides to investigate the murder on his own, with the help of his mates and a Turkish doctor who becomes his friend. He discovers that there is more to the murder than meets the eye, and that it is connected to a larger conspiracy that involves espionage, corruption, and treason. He also falls in love with a beautiful nurse who has her own secrets and troubles.
Killing at Anzac is a gripping thriller that combines historical accuracy with fictional imagination. It offers a vivid and realistic portrayal of life at Gallipoli, with its dangers, hardships, joys, and sorrows. It also raises ethical questions about war, violence, morality, and loyalty.
A Fatal Tide
A Fatal Tide follows the lives of two Australian brothers who fight at Gallipoli: Jack Kelly and Tom Kelly. Jack is a journalist who volunteers to join the army as a way of escaping his troubled past. Tom is a lawyer who enlists out of duty and patriotism. They have different personalities and opinions about war, but they share a bond of brotherhood and love.
However, their relationship is tested by war in ways they never expected. They face danger, death, injury, and illness on the battlefield. They also encounter rivalry, jealousy, betrayal, and guilt off it. They both fall in love with the same woman: Evelyn Walker, an English nurse who works at a hospital ship near Gallipoli.
A Fatal Tide is a compelling drama that explores the complex and conflicting emotions of war, love, and family. It shows how war can bring out the best and the worst in people, and how it can change them forever. It also reveals the human side of the Gallipoli campaign, with its heroism, sacrifice, tragedy, and hope.
Steve Sailah's Podcast on Gallipoli
In addition to his books, Steve Sailah also created a podcast on Gallipoli, called Voices from Gallipoli. The podcast was launched in 2015 to mark the centenary of the landing of the Anzacs. It features 12 episodes, each focusing on a different aspect of the Gallipoli campaign.
Voices from Gallipoli
Voices from Gallipoli is a unique and engaging podcast that brings Gallipoli to life through the voices of those who were there. It includes interviews with veterans, historians, and descendants of the Anzacs and the Turks. It also uses archival recordings, music, sound effects, and narration to create a rich and immersive audio experience.
The podcast covers topics such as the landing, the battles, the trenches, the snipers, the nurses, the journalists, the prisoners, the evacuations, and the aftermath. It also explores themes such as courage, mateship, humor, resilience, compassion, respect, and reconciliation. It offers a balanced and respectful perspective on both sides of the conflict, and highlights the common humanity and dignity of all involved.
Voices from Gallipoli is a valuable and informative podcast that educates and entertains listeners about Gallipoli. It also inspires and challenges listeners to reflect on their own values and beliefs about war and peace.
Steve Sailah's Tips for Visiting Gallipoli
Steve Sailah has visited Gallipoli many times and has developed a deep connection and appreciation for the place. He has also shared his tips and advice for those who want to visit Gallipoli and experience its history and beauty for themselves. Here are some of his recommendations:
The Anzac Cove
The Anzac Cove is the place where the Anzacs landed on April 25th 1915. It is also the place where they held their first dawn service on April 25th 1916. Today, it is a sacred site for Australians and New Zealanders who come to pay their respects to their fallen ancestors. Steve Sailah suggests that visitors should arrive at the cove before dawn and join the thousands of pilgrims who gather there for the annual Anzac Day ceremony. He says that it is a moving and memorable experience that honors the sacrifice and spirit of the Anzacs.
The Lone Pine Cemetery
The Lone Pine Cemetery is the largest cemetery at Gallipoli and contains the graves of more than 1200 Australian soldiers who died during the Battle of Lone Pine in August 1915. The battle was one of the most intense and brutal fights of the campaign, as both sides fought for control of a strategic hilltop. The cemetery is named after a solitary pine tree that stood on the hill and was used as a landmark by both sides. Steve Sailah advises that visitors should walk around the cemetery and read some of the inscriptions on the headstones. He says that they reveal some of the personal stories and emotions of the soldiers and their families.
The Chunuk Bair Memorial
the Dardanelles strait for the first time and realized how close they were to their goal. However, they were soon pushed back by a counterattack from the Turkish forces led by Atatürk. The memorial commemorates the New Zealand soldiers who fought and died at Chunuk Bair. Steve Sailah recommends that visitors should climb up to the memorial and enjoy the panoramic view of the peninsula. He says that it is a stunning and sobering sight that shows the beauty and the tragedy of Gallipoli.
The Turkish Memorial
The Turkish Memorial is situated near the Anzac Cove and honors the Turkish soldiers who defended their homeland against the allied invasion. It features a statue of Atatürk, who is regarded as the hero of Gallipoli and the father of modern Turkey. The memorial also displays a famous quote from Atatürk, who addressed the Anzac mothers in 1934 and said: "Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours... You, the mothers who sent their sons from faraway countries, wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well." Steve Sailah suggests that visitors should read and reflect on this quote, which expresses a message of peace and reconciliation between the former foes.
Conclusion: Why Steve Sailah's Stories from Gallipoli Matter Today
Steve Sailah is a journalist and a novelist who has dedicated his life to telling stories from Gallipoli. He has written two books and created a podcast that bring Gallipoli to life through historical facts and fictional imagination. He has also visited Gallipoli many times and shared his tips and advice for those who want to follow his footsteps.
Steve Sailah's stories from Gallipoli matter today because they help us understand the legacy and the lessons of Gallipoli for our present and future. They remind us of the courage, mateship, humor, resilience, and compassion of the Anzacs and the Turks who fought there. They also show us the human cost and the moral dilemmas of war, and inspire us to seek dialogue and reconciliation with our enemies.
Steve Sailah's stories from Gallipoli are not only stories of war, but also stories of love, friendship, family, and hope. They are stories that touch our hearts and minds, and make us think and feel. They are stories that we should never forget.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Steve Sailah's stories from Gallipoli:
Q: Where can I buy Steve Sailah's books on Gallipoli?
A: You can buy Steve Sailah's books on Gallipoli online or at your local bookstore. You can also borrow them from your local library.
Q: Where can I listen to Steve Sailah's podcast on Gallipoli?
A: You can listen to Steve Sailah's podcast on Gallipoli on his website or on any podcast platform. You can also download it for offline listening.
Q: How can I contact Steve Sailah or follow his work?
A: You can contact Steve Sailah or follow his work through his website, email, social media, or newsletter. You can also send him your feedback, questions, or comments.
Q: What are some other sources of information or entertainment on Gallipoli?
A: There are many other sources of information or entertainment on Gallipoli, such as books, documentaries, movies, museums, tours, etc. You can find some recommendations on Steve Sailah's website or do your own research.
Q: How can I support Steve Sailah or his cause?
A: You can support Steve Sailah or his cause by buying his books or donating to his podcast. You can also spread the word about his work or join his community. You can also support the veterans or their families who are affected by war or peacekeeping missions.
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