And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda

The Battle of Gallipoli was fought from April to December, 1915.

The aim of the attack was to open a supply route via the Dardanelles for the Russians on the Eastern front.

The Dardanelles is a narrow strait in North Western Turkey, linking the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara.

At that time, the Western front in France and Belgium was fixed, and the Russians were badly in need of supplies to enable them to bring pressure to bear on the Germans.

Overland trade routes with Russia were blocked by Germany and Austria Hungary. No easy sea route existed.

The British and French navies went into action on February 19 and March 18, but were beaten back by the Turks both times.

Following the failure of the Allies to break the deadlock using naval power alone, it was decided that ground forces were necessary to dislodge the Turks.

England, France, Senegal, Newfoundland, India, Australia and New Zealand were to contribute the necessary troops.

Australia had gained independence from Britain in 1901, while Newfoundland and New Zealand both attained independence in 1907. (Newfoundland joined the Canadian Confederation in 1949)

Although these nations were ‘independent’, they were still very much part of the British Empire at the time!

The Australian 1st Division, and the Australia – New Zealand Division, were formed into the Australia New Zealand Army Corp (Anzac).

Gallipoli was a defining moment for Australia, New Zealand and Turkey!

In Turkey, it is seen as part of the final surge for independence from the Ottoman empire, which occurred eight years later.

For both Australia and New Zealand, it brought a new sense of national identity, distinct from their identity as part of the British Empire.

The invasion was doomed from the start, with the attacking forces being trapped on narrow beaches, and being forced to battle their way up steep cliffs to fight the Turks.

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Turkish general and modern Turkey’s first leader, said in a speech commemorating the loss of thousands of Turkish and Allied soldiers:

“Those heroes who 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 here in this country of ours…

You, the mothers who sent their sons from far away 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.”

(This speech is now inscribed on a monument at Anzac Cove.)

And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda (Eric Bogle):

Every year, on April 25, Anzac Day is commemorated across Australia and New Zealand, with services beginning at dawn, finishing at sunset!

Thousands of people from both countries travel to Anzac Cove and observe the day with their Turkish counterparts.

The Australia Returned Services League has taken their Ode of Remembrance from the 4th stanza of “For the Fallen” by Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)

“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.”

There were 99,893 deaths recorded from both sides, and 237,037 wounded, a total of 336,930 casualties.

It’s now over ninety years since the Battle of Gallipoli, and rather than forgetting, the people of Australia and New Zealand seem more determined than ever to remember the conflict.

Anzac day now honors the dead from other conflicts that our nations have been involved in. It in no way glorifies war, but simply honors those who served their country, and paid the ultimate sacrifice!

‘Ours is not to question why; ours is just to do or die.’

Sources

Wikipedia – Battle of Gallipoli

Wikipedia – Anzac Day

Wikipedia – Anzac Cove

Lest We Forget!

Written in memory of Allan Joseph Cockerill.
(1922 – 2006) World War 2 veteran, and his comrades.