KEY POINTS:
Once, the defeat at Gallipoli was only remembered at memorials dotted across Australia and New Zealand.
Now Anzac Day is achieving near global reach.
Major Anzac Day commemorations, marking 93 years since the initial landing, will be held this year in Gallipoli as well as at Villers-Bretonneux in
France, Beersheba in Israel and at Hyde Park in London.
As well, Anzac commemorations will be conducted at Isurava on the Kokoda Track near Port Moresby, at Hellfire Pass in Thailand, at Sandakan in Malaysia and at Long Tan in Vietnam.
The one-off memorial at Villers-Brettoneux will mark 90 years since the historic battle of April 24-25, 1918, when Australian troops forced German forces from the village.
It will also mark 90 years since the end of the war on November 11, 1918.
Veterans' Affairs Minister Alan Griffin will attend the commemoration in France, along with up to 4000 others.
At Beersheba, Governor-General Major General Michael Jeffery will officiate at the opening of the Park of the Australian Soldier.
The park honours the role of Australian soldiers in the World War I Palestine campaign and their spectacular victory in October 1917, when the light horse recaptured Beersheba from Turkish forces.
Seven Australian World War II veterans, who served in light horse units, will attend as special guests of the Australian government.
The main event at Gallipoli is expected to attract about 8000 mostly young Australian and New Zealand visitors.
Four Australian women, all descendants of Gallipoli veterans, will also be the official guests of Mrs Emime Erdogan, wife of Turkey's prime minister, at commemorations on March 18.
This is Turkey's equivalent of Anzac Day when Turkish forces sank three allied battleships attempting to sail to Istanbul. This setback forced allied commanders to decide on an infantry attack.
Mr Griffin said Anzac Day drew Australians and New Zealanders together throughout the world.
"This year Australians together with New Zealanders and Turkish people will again commemorate Anzac Day at Gallipoli," he said.
"Thousands of Australians will also travel to the Western front in France to mark the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War."
Mr Griffin said the Gallipoli dawn service, criticised in recent years because of the behaviour of some attendees, would again be a cooperative effort involving the governments of Australia, New Zealand and Turkey.
"We are conscious that we are guests in Turkey and the Australian and New Zealand government will again seek to ensure that the services are dignified and fitting occasions with all visitors reminded of appropriate behaviour," he said.
Mr Griffin said all those attending would pass through security screening and all alcohol and other inappropriate items confiscated.
He said the overnight entertainment program, ahead of the Anzac Day dawn service, would feature historical footage and documentary excerpts.
- NZPA
