ANZAC Day 2016: And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda
It’s a long weekend here in Australia this weekend as we celebrate the landing at Gallipoli on April 25th, 1915.
One hundred and one years ago, troops from England, France, Senegal, Newfoundland, India, Australia and New Zealand landed at Gallipoli in Turkey in an effort to open another front against Germany and Austria – Hungary.
The aim was to forge an overland route against the enemy, but it was an ill fated attempt.
The British and French navies had failed twice to blast their way through the Dardanelles.
By the time the land forces were ready for the invasion, the Turks were ready, reinforced by officers from the German army.
While the campaign was lost, with thousands losing their lives in the process, it was a defining moment for three of the nations involved: Turkey, New Zealand and Australia.
This weekend, thousands of Australians and New Zealanders will be in Turkey, standing in remembrance of those lost in the battle, along with citizens of Turkey.
Australia and New Zealand had won independence from Britain in 1901 and 1907, while Turkey gained independence from the Ottoman empire following World War One, finally gaining independence in 1923.
Politicians start wars, and soldiers fight them. And people suffer.
“They shall grow not 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 will remember them.”
The Ode of Remembrance, from “For the Fallen” by Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)
Below: And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda by Eric Bogle.
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