A Turkish field kitchen has been found on the Gallipoli battlefield, begging the question as to whether Anzac soldiers on a diet of tinned bully beef were tormented by the smells of Turkish food wafting across the lines.
University of Melbourne archaeologist Tony Sagona says researchers have found what can best be described as an Ottoman kitchen with an oven at the site, showing Turkish troops sourced fresh food, most likely from outside the battle area, and cooked it locally.
In contrast, Allied soldiers were eating mostly processed food, with a large number of old bully beef tins and jam jars on their side of the lines and none at all on the Turkish side.
Professor Sagona said no remains of Turkish food items had been found, although reports from Turkish archives indicate soup was on the menu. But food smells would have reached Allied soldiers, who often complained of the tedium of their diet.
Historian Richard Reid said the Anzacs would certainly have been aware of curries cooked by Indian troops down in Mule Valley.
