ANZAC day (1 Viewer)

[wayne556517]

What is ANZAC Day?

ANZAC Day – 25 April – is probably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.
What does ANZAC stand for?

ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they took in that name endures to this day.
Why is this day special to Australians?

When war broke out in 1914, Australia had been a federal commonwealth for only 13 years. The new national government was eager to establish its reputation among the nations of the world. In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula in order to open the Dardanelles to the allied navies. The ultimate objective was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul in Turkey), the capital of the Ottoman Empire, an ally of Germany.

The Australian and New Zealand forces landed on Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated, after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers had been killed. News of the landing on Gallipoli had made a profound impact on Australians at home, and 25 April soon became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in the war.

Although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives, the Australian and New Zealand actions during the campaign left us all a powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as the “ANZAC legend” became an important part of the identity of both nations, shaping the ways they viewed both their past and their future.


Well thats the history behind it but to me its a day to remember my Dad (2 tours of Vietnam 1 of Borneo SASR) and 5 mates i lost while serving in the Army,and all the service personel serving OS now and all those before them we owe so few so much,LEST WE FORGET.

 

[Rob]

Sorry to read of your loss Wayne,that must have been very hard to take.

Yep here's to their memory,we have great gratitude to those young men and all they did in that awful campaign.I've been to three dawn Anzac day services in London and they were very moving indeed.

Also and not wanting to take the thread away,but I think there should be more memorial services to Gallipoli as a whole,it still seems to a forgotten theatre to some extent.Funny thing is a lot of people associate it with the Anzacs only,not realizing we lost 21,000 British servicemen there as well,almost double the amount of Anzacs.But as Wayne said it was the Anzacs first big action so perhaps thats why.

Its often been said but stands repeating,the best thing about Gallipoli was the withdrawal

Rob

 

[Louis Badolato]

Wayne,

You and your mates' sacrifices will not be forgotten in this house. Our good friend Howard Woods presented me with a set of the different badges the Australian forces used over the years, and it is proudly displayed in the museum next to a North Africa diorama populated with ANZAC troops.

 

[lancer]

I learned about Gallipoli as a kid from my next door neighbors who were Australians. The father was a Colonel Maxwell and his son and I were good friends. They were diplomats on assignment in D.C. I learned from father and son what Gallipoli was and what it meant and have always remembered it and always will. -- Al

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Wayne,

Over the years I was on active duty I had the great pleasure to work with several Australian Officers and Units. They were solid professionals! We have developed friendships with one family that hails from NZ and I mentioned ANZAC Day to the elderly grandmother and she was immedialy impressed that and American knew about the day and took the time to say something about it. So like Louis and others I too will remember the day and be thankful for serving with your excellent countrymen.

Dave

 

[Rethymno]

Good on you Wayne. BIG, BIG day on Sunday. Lest we forget.

 

[Simpson & his donkey.]

Hi guys just a photo of my older brother who served Two tours of Vietnam.He has had a really rough time for more years that I can remember.Last year was the worst for him and trying on all of the family.It's only been over the last Five years he has marched on Anzac day but only goes to small remote towns with small crowds. Here he is holding and flying the White ensign proudly in Mitchell a small town in South West Queensland .I have taken my kids on Two occasions to watch him march .He is alot better now and learning wood working with a group of old diggers who suffer from the same problems.Simmo.