AnzacDay25thApril

ANZAC DAY
25th APRIL

On the 25th April, 1915...20,000 Australian troops
from the AIF were landed as part of the allied invasion of Turkey.
The plan of the campaign, was to take control of the
Gallipoli Peninsula along the Aegean coastline.
Being part of the British contingent, the Australian
forces were expected to land and hold their position
on a designated beach.

However, a bungle of gigantic proportions occured,
and our troops were landed on a part of the coast-
line which was overlooked by steep cliffs, and well
fortified by the Turks.
Literally thousands of troops were slaughtered
during the first few hours of the landing.
In the weeks that followed, the Australian troops
withstood sniper fire and shellings of massive
proportions.

They were subjected to horrendous conditions for
survival, and disgraceful leadership from England.
They literally dug hundreds of kilometers of trenches, in which they, ate, slept, fought, died and
survived.
While politicians argued about strategy in England,
our troops suffered badly, not only from enemy
fire......but also from unhygenic conditions,
in which they found themselves having to overcome.

Lack of sanitation and water, insufficient food and
medical supplies......all of which gave ground to
lice, typhus, gangrene and phneumonia, to name
a few, took a large number of lives.
Through all this, emerged the ANZAC legend of
courage, survival, engenuity, larrikin good humour,
but most important of all, mateship...sharing and
looking out for your mate, trusting your mate to
look out for you.

No one will ever know the total number of heroic events that took place on that lonely beach. The despair that was felt by every soldier, but never shown, the acts of sheer courage, the moments of the bonds of friendship being formed, these all served to establish the legend of the ANZAC's.

It was finally decided in England to evacuate the
troops, sanity had prevailed at long last....and the
troops were withdrawn and dispersed to other areas
to fight again until the end of the war.
World War 1, had taken a huge toll on our young men. Of the 331,000 who left our shores to fight overseas, 58,961 died, 166,811 were casualties, 4098 were taken prisoner or listed as missing in action, and 87,865 were sick when they arrived home. By percentage of population, Australia and
New Zealand, suffered the highest toll on any forces, during the whole of the war.

The day of the landing in Gallipoli, 25th April, was chosen as the
rememberance day. A solemn day, when Australians openly remember
their fallen.
The day begins with a pre dawn service, in all towns and cities at a cenetaph or memorial, this is attended by men, women and children if so desired. Then later that morning around 11am or 12 noon, a parade of veterans is held. These veterans participated in all conflicts that have taken place since WW1, both men and women.
But the day belongs to the veterans of WW1, but sadly there are but two or three surviving today, as time has taken it's toll.
It's a day to remember the brave who have fallen, to remember mateship, it's a solemn day, but also a day that Australians can be openly proud of their past achievements.
And just as so often has happened in the past history of Australia, we have taken, what appears to be a resounding defeat, and turned it into something positive.....something to make us proud to be who we are.
It has made us stronger and more determined to be successful at whatever endeavour we embark upon......in our own unique way.

ODE TO THE FALLEN

They shall not grow old,
As we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning,
We shall remember them.

LEST WE FORGET