ANZAC Day
Posted on Wednesday 25th April 2007
This is an event commemorated on the 25th April every year of great significance to Australians. It marks the first day of the infamous Gallipoli landings and the subsequent campaign that cost the lives of some 8000 Australian troops. ANZAC stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
Here it is a national holiday with a traditional memorial service held at dawn marking the time the troops set foot on foreign soil. It is held as a reminder of the sacrifice made by a relatively new country (independence was only 13 years previously) in a war it had no real business being involved in. The administration at the time felt that since Australia was in the Commonwealth and trying to establish its national identity they had a duty to provide military assistance.
Due to poor intelligence and incompetent strategy the ANZAC soldiers were committed to a terrible fate. It is worth noting that Sir Winston Churchill, 1st Lord of the Admiralty at the time, was responsible for the whole debacle. They were sent to secure a peninsula that was heavily defended by Turkish forces and stalemate ensued. After 8 months of utterly pointless bloodshed on both sides the allied forces withdrew.
Does this ring any bells with a current conflict?
Dear Rick
Yes, Anzac Day is very significant in Australia and New Zealand. Regan’s great grandfather was at Gallipoli and France. He was a trench runner – received a Military Medal and Bar and was mentioned in many despatches.
I never met him (he died the year before I was born) but Mum told me that you wouldn’t find a person more anti-war. He had seen it all. His lungs were badly damaged from the mustard gas and he died at age 57.
I think I’m right in saying that Sir Winston Churchill was named the United Kingdom’s “man of all time.”
Of course Newton, Nelson and Shakespeare did bugger all!!
Cheers Vicki
hey rick!
hope you’re well. over here anzac day was on the news, but more emphasis was on how this year the Aborigine troops got some recognition and marched with the other troops in Sydney to a big applause.
as for churchill, well, he also felt that bombing raids on villages in afghanistan for RAF practice (& i’m lead to believe in australia at woomera or someplace like that) was ok – i don’t think he was actually all that nice a guy as you note. he was a man of the 1800s stuck in the 1900s.
have just got back from a 4 day course in leicester for the final frca. exam’s on 8th May (MCQs & SAQs). haven’t prepared well, but i’ll give it a shot!
how’s work with you? Best wishes mate!
Mansoor
Hi Ric Sorry not familier with anzac day but it must be significant to australia hope you and reagan are well
hear from you soon