ANZAC Day. Lest We Forget
In the great southern nations of Australia and New Zealand, April 25th marks a significant holiday of remembrance. ANZAC Day. Let me tell you the story of this day.
During WWI, a battle was fought between the Aussie/New Zealand troops and the Turkish troops. It began on February 19, 1915, with a naval assault by Commonwealth forces to try to push their way to Constantinople. When this failed, a land attack was planned. This attack would include the newly formed Australia and New Zealand Army Corps, aka the ANZAC's.
The plan was that the British and French forces would start at the tip of the peninsula, and the ANZAC's would cut them off in their retreat off of it.
On April 25th 1915, the battle began. Except, the ANZAC's were dispatched on the wrong beach! They faced sheer cliff faces and exposure as the Turks reigned their fire down on them. But the ANZAC's pushed through and dug in on the beach at Gallipoli, now known as ANZAC Cove.
Despite the fierce efforts of the Turks to push them off the beach, the big hearts of these men held their ground in adverse conditions, where the odds were against them. They threw assault after assault at the ANZAC's as the British and French troops pushed up from the south in vain, but all they managed to achieve were high numbers of casualties. The ANZAC's were hearty, and refused to go anywhere.
After months of fighting, the British and French forces knew they couldn't take Gallipoli, so organized a retreat beginning December 7th 1915. As the ANZAC's left the cove, they set their rife's up to hand made auto triggers to cover their retreat. Even as they left, they remained defiant and continued to fight.
The last troops to leave Gallipoli departed Jan 9th 1916.
Although the battle at Gallipoli was won by the Turks, the legend of the ANZAC is remembered more than the victory. These two tiny colonial nations fought back and held their ground, earning them the nickname "Diggers" because they dug in and held on at all costs until they were told to leave.
These men fought and died for my country and the freedoms we are blessed to have, the freedoms paid for with their blood, and many others who followed in WWII, and other military campaigns. They set a standard of bravery, courage and defiance. They are the foundation of our national identity. May their blood sacrifice never be wasted, and may their spirits live in our heart so they never die. Lest We Forget.
During WWI, a battle was fought between the Aussie/New Zealand troops and the Turkish troops. It began on February 19, 1915, with a naval assault by Commonwealth forces to try to push their way to Constantinople. When this failed, a land attack was planned. This attack would include the newly formed Australia and New Zealand Army Corps, aka the ANZAC's.
The plan was that the British and French forces would start at the tip of the peninsula, and the ANZAC's would cut them off in their retreat off of it.
On April 25th 1915, the battle began. Except, the ANZAC's were dispatched on the wrong beach! They faced sheer cliff faces and exposure as the Turks reigned their fire down on them. But the ANZAC's pushed through and dug in on the beach at Gallipoli, now known as ANZAC Cove.
Despite the fierce efforts of the Turks to push them off the beach, the big hearts of these men held their ground in adverse conditions, where the odds were against them. They threw assault after assault at the ANZAC's as the British and French troops pushed up from the south in vain, but all they managed to achieve were high numbers of casualties. The ANZAC's were hearty, and refused to go anywhere.
After months of fighting, the British and French forces knew they couldn't take Gallipoli, so organized a retreat beginning December 7th 1915. As the ANZAC's left the cove, they set their rife's up to hand made auto triggers to cover their retreat. Even as they left, they remained defiant and continued to fight.
The last troops to leave Gallipoli departed Jan 9th 1916.
Although the battle at Gallipoli was won by the Turks, the legend of the ANZAC is remembered more than the victory. These two tiny colonial nations fought back and held their ground, earning them the nickname "Diggers" because they dug in and held on at all costs until they were told to leave.
These men fought and died for my country and the freedoms we are blessed to have, the freedoms paid for with their blood, and many others who followed in WWII, and other military campaigns. They set a standard of bravery, courage and defiance. They are the foundation of our national identity. May their blood sacrifice never be wasted, and may their spirits live in our heart so they never die. Lest We Forget.
No comments have been added yet.
