ANZAC DAY 25th APRIL
Of all the days of national commemoration in
Australia, none are quite as respected and revered as Anzac (Australian and
New Zealand Armed Corp.) Day.
Anzac Day is commemorated on the 25th of
April each year, the date Australian and New Zealand forces landed on the
Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey in 1915. At dawn on this day, Anzac forces
landed at a site that would become known as Anzac Cove. The landing site was
about a mile north of the planned site - instead of open land, they faced a
narrow beach, and steep cliffs. The landing boats were cramped together, under
heavy Turkish fire from the cliffs above. The plan was to assault the cliffs
and ridges inland, and hold the high ground. Instead, a stalemate quickly
ensued, the Anzac forces trading fire with the entrenched Turkish soldiers.
Each metre of ground was hard won, fighting in the gullys in the cliffs and
hills. The force was splintered, small groups fighting for their lives. The
scene was one of chaos.
The Anzac forces fought at Gallipoli for
eight months, before they were evacuated over the 19th and 20th of December,
1915. In contrast to the rest of the campaign, the withdrawal was a stunning
success, with almost no casualties. Overall, the campaign was considered a
costly failure. Over 8,000 Australians were killed, over 2,500 New Zealand
soldiers also died. The number of Anzac dead pales in comparison to the
Turkish losses however - it is thought over 87,000 Turkish soldiers lost their
lives.
The first Anzac Day ceremonies were held on
the 25th of April, 1916. In that year, marches were held in Australian cities,
as well as London. Those Anzacs who had returned marched, the injured carried
in cars. In the 1920s, after The First World War had finished, it became a day
to commemorate all those who had died in the war. It became entrenched as a
national day of remembrance, and in 1927 it first became a national public
holiday. Throughout the 1930s, more of the traditions that are part of Anzac
Day today started, such as marches, dawn services, and the laying of wreaths.
With the outbreak of The Second World War, Anzac Day became a day to honour
Australians who have served and died in all wars.
