Anzac Day 25th April

[Berthier]

It comes around so quick each year.
To all who served, to those who did not return, to those who returned but were never the same..we will remember

[Naharaht]

Their sacrifice will be remembered.

[Coog]

The bravery and sacrifice of the Anzacs has been second to none.

[csadn]

...and time for another round with my Winston Churchill punching bag....

[Devsdoc]

Churchill was a great leader and pulled a battered Britain together in the second World War. He always loved his 2nd fronts. Time and time again he ordered them in the frist and second World Wars. Each time to a bad end. I'm sorry that at Gallipoli it was our Anzacs friends who paid the heavier price with our own troops.
Be safe and they will always will be remembered.
Rory

[7eat51]

To all who served, to those who did not return, to those who returned but were never the same..we will remember

Hear, hear.

For those unaware of this day: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anzac_Day

Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the first campaign that led to major casualties for Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. The acronym ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, whose soldiers were known as Anzacs. Anzac Day remains one of the most important national occasions of both Australia and New Zealand, a rare instance of two sovereign countries not only sharing the same remembrance day, but making reference to both countries in its name.

[Berthier]

The date is so important to the national psyche here, perhaps inappropriately, that next year on the centenary of the landing at Anzac Cove 25/4/1914 the government has run a ballot for public places at the ceremony in Turkey on the day due to the limited space on the site.

The date is also recognized by the Turkish people for the 80,000 troops they lost in the battle and they are an importnat part of the tributes at the site on the day. They feel no animosity towards the Anzacs and Kemal Ataturk's famous statement about the campaign remains one of the most moving and reflective comments you can read on war and its' aftermath

In 1934 Atatürk wrote a tribute to the ANZACs killed at Gallipoli:

Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side now here in this country of ours... you, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.

[David Manley]

I'm sorry that at Gallipoli it was our Anzacs friends who paid the heavier price with our own troops.

Alas not correct, British casualties were 75% of the total casualties suffered by the Allies in the campaign (including the French - and many people are blissfully unaware of the fact that the French were even there). There are many myths and legends that have arisen over the years over this defining campaign, as with so many others.

[Berthier]

True David, Simpson and his Donkey for instance..he wasn't Australian he was British. They didnt land on the wrong beach but they did fail to push hard when the opportunity was there in the opening days. The casualties were highest for the Brits and yes the French contributed as well. Britain lost some battleships in the campaign IIRC as well.

So that's one of the reasons I said "The date is so important to the national psyche here, perhaps inappropriately"...the legend is greater than some of the facts but the significance of the casualties to Australia and NZ as their first exposure to the horrors of WW1 and in a fruitless campaign resulting in an evacuation had a deep and lasting impact in both countries and the scar, because that is closer to what it is, remains in our psyche.

[David Manley]

So that's one of the reasons I said "The date is so important to the national psyche here, perhaps inappropriately"...the legend is greater than some of the facts but the significance of the casualties to Australia and NZ as their first exposure to the horrors of WW1 and in a fruitless campaign resulting in an evacuation had a deep and lasting impact in both countries and the scar, because that is closer to what it is, remains in our psyche.

I don't think it is in inappropriate at all. Its a defining moment in the birth of Australia and New Zealand. It is, to my mind at least, a pity that myths and legends perpetuate (not helped by the media), and that some use them to promote their own agendas.

[Berthier]

Sorry poor explanation. The date is indeed important as a point in time defining our nations as separate and unique from the Commonwealth in our own minds. The "ïnappropriate" comment was more referring to the legends and agendas you mentioned. Things gets hijacked for political or commercial purposes and the original meaning of events can be twisted and obscured in the process. That is not to say that interpretations shouldn't change with the passage of time, but that is a different discussion!

[David Manley]

Ah, OK, my bad :)

[Devsdoc]

Alas not correct, British casualties were 75% of the total casualties suffered by the Allies in the campaign (including the French - and many people are blissfully unaware of the fact that the French were even there). There are many myths and legends that have arisen over the years over this defining campaign, as with so many others.

I did not know this. Thanks for the info. This does not take away the pain for all sides or the pride of the Anzac forces. we must not forget.
Be safe
Rory

[7eat51]

The date is so important to the national psyche here, perhaps inappropriately, that next year on the centenary of the landing at Anzac Cove 25/4/1914 the government has run a ballot for public places at the ceremony in Turkey on the day due to the limited space on the site.

The date is also recognized by the Turkish people for the 80,000 troops they lost in the battle and they are an importnat part of the tributes at the site on the day. They feel no animosity towards the Anzacs and Kemal Ataturk's famous statement about the campaign remains one of the most moving and reflective comments you can read on war and its' aftermath

In 1934 Atatürk wrote a tribute to the ANZACs killed at Gallipoli:

Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side now here in this country of ours... you, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.

Daniel, thank you for sharing. Atatürk's words are worthy of reflection and remembrance - simply beautiful.

[Пилот]

Alas not correct, British casualties were 75% of the total casualties suffered by the Allies in the campaign (including the French - and many people are blissfully unaware of the fact that the French were even there). There are many myths and legends that have arisen over the years over this defining campaign, as with so many others.

I didn't know that about French...