On ANZAC Day the 25th April 1915. Australians and New Zealanders went ashore at Gallipoli in Turkey. They faced all odds and unknown future. History tells us that from the very first day. These Diggers and Kiwis met Johnny Turk and all fought with courage and bravery. The landings at Gallipoli were a shambles. Troops landing up to a mile from their designated landing points. Climbing steep sand hills and cliffs to engage the enemy who fired from concealed well placed advantage points. The first day of battle and what in Australia and New Zealand was later called ANZAC Cove was a near failure. The Troops were just told to DIG DIG DIG until you are safe, You have come through the worst of it etc. But this Battle Ground this area of legend became the birth place of the ANZAC Legend. Not just for Australians but for their mates across the Tasman in New Zealand. Both Countries had troops that went on to perform outstanding feats of arms not just in Gallipoli but in the Middle East in 2 World Wars. In North Africa in WW2 and on the Western Front in WW1. And ANZACS were found in most battlefields in WW1 and WW2 Korea Malaya Borneo Vietnam and now in Iraq and Afghanistan. Do we celebrate ANZAC Day because it celebrates war? No we do not, We celebrate it for it displays to us our freedoms. Our forefathers and mothers went to war to safe guard our rights and our heritage and in some cases to ease a very great threat to our shores. For example the Pacific Campaign Papua New Giunea etc.
Do we celebrate ANZAC Day for other reasons? Yes we do too recognise the sacrifice that men and women laid down their lives for us and are still doing so. And ANZAC Day for one thing is to celebrate mateship friendship kindred spirit, what ever you want to call it. We remember our Fallen who were killed in action or died from wounds ,diseases, died in captivity or went missing. But above all its to remember our MATES. And that includes our Allies. To me as a Son of an ANZAC I take pride in seeing the Aussies and Kiwis march on ANZAC Day through the various towns cities and just plain old every day places no one has ever heard of both in New Zealand or Australia. And to remember that my own family had served in WW1 and WW2 and other places.
But to see our Mates from the USA from England from South Africa and Canada. From even members of the South Vietnamese community take part in marching. Our friends from Greece France Norway Denmark and other countries included to march with the Aussies and the Kiwis on ANZAC Day.
If I am asked why did I put this in World War One forum. It is easy to reply because that is where the ANZAC legend came from on 25th April 1915 and sprung from it 2 Nations Australia and New Zealand. The birth of 2 Countries being brought onto a world stage though a bloody war . Both countries might not be remarkable or have extended histories etc. But both countries have left a mark in this world as far as their military goes and the attitude to mateship and service to ones country and service to our Allies in friendship and bonds only between Allies that is understood which is perserved and treasured.
Some one said in another thread that the veterans from WW1 ranks are thinning. That is so true. So are the ranks of the men and women from WW2 Korea Malaya Borneo Vietnam etc. To be replaced by new Veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq. Peace Keeping duties from the Balkans Somolia Timor Bouganville Solomon Islands and other places through the world. Will the spirit of ANZAC Day continue? Yes it will as wars will always continue and men and women gather to remember friends and Mates from times of trouble. To me ANZAC Day was given birth so to speak 92 years ago it hasn't showed any signs of becoming un-necassary to the Aussies and Kiwis by enlarge in 2 countries. When the Last Post is played and the Rouse shortly afterwards this coming ANZAC Day I like thousands of Aussies and Kiwis will take time to THINK, REMEMBER and GIVE THANKS to our Mates. Please feel free to look at the photographs taken in 2006 ANZAC Day Ceremonies in the link below
Australian Government, Department of Defence, Anzac Day Commemorations
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