ANZACS REMEMBERED
WORLD WAR 1
1914 - 1918
It is now 100 years since World War One began and the ANZAC legend was born.
The conflict changed the world and touched the lives of nearly Australian; it's impact is still felt today. During our ANZAC Centenary there is so much we can learn from the terrible years of 1914 - 1918 - and that is why we will never forget those who fought and gave their lives.
When the was declared in August 1914, Australians greeted the news with enthusiasm. Young fit men flocked to the recruiting depots, eager to be part of what promised to be a great adventure. It believed the war would be over by Christmas and the entire country was ready to see it's sons and daughters march off in support of the British Empire.
The first test came soon enough. On the morning of April 25, 1915, Australia and New Zealand troops landed on Gallipoli. It was the start of and eight-month campaign that ended in military failure that cost 8,000 lives among a total of 26,000 Australian casualties. However, the exceptional courage, endurance and initiative of the Australian and New Zealand men created the ANZAC legend.
In 1915, Australia had been a nation for just 14 years and people weren't sure how our young men would measure up. They measured up so well that King George V wrote:
"I heartily congratulate you upon the splendid conduct and bravery displayed by the Australian troops in the operations at the Dardanelles, who have indeed proved themselves worthy sons of the Empire"
All Australians who fought in WW1 were volunteers. In fact the newly created Australian Imperial Force was one of the only military forces in the British Empire made up entirely of volunteers.
After Gallipoli, Australian troops went on to fight the Middle East and on the Western Front, where they made their greatest contribution to victory, but at a terrible cost and in appalling conditions.
Australians fought in famous battles on the Western Front including Villers-Bretonneux, the Somme and Passchendaele. All took a terrible human toll, but was at Fromelled where Australia felt the true horror of the Western Front.
On 19 July, 1916, soldiers from the newly arrived 5th Australian Division, together with a British divioion, were ordered to attack a heavily fortified German position near the village of Fromelles. That single night claimed almost 2,000 lives among a total of 5,500 Australian casualties. Some historians have described Fromelles as the worst day in Australian history.
WW1 ended in November 1918 after four bloody years. Thousands of Australian soldiers were buried in battlefield cemeteries overseas - many of them unidentified, their graves marked with the simple words
"An Australian soldier of the Great War - known unto God."
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
YOU ARE READING
ANZAC DAY (100 Years) {Completed}
Historical Fiction"These heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives.... You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore REST IN PEACE... ....You. The mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries wipe away your tears.... After having l...
