The Anzac Legend
What is the Anzac Legend?
The first major battle of World War I for Australian troops took place on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey. Many Australian men who enlisted in the early months of the war believed they would be travelling to Europe to fight against the Germans. However, in October 1914, Turkey entered the war on the side of Germany.
British strategists decided that Australian and New Zealand soldiers should join the Gallipoli campaign, which was designed to knock Turkey out of the war as quickly as possible.
For eight months, from April to December 1915, the Allies continued to fight on the Gallipoli Peninsula, but the campaign was ultimately a failure. As a result, the majority of Australian soldiers were moved to the Western Front. There they engaged in trench warfare for the next three years, until November 1918. Australian troops who remained in the Middle East, mainly the Light Horse, continued to fight the Turks, especially in the Australian and Anzac Mounted Divisions and the Imperial Camel Corps.
Formation of the Anzacs
When the war began, there was an equally enthusiastic response from Australia and New Zealand. Initially their two forces were separate. The Australian troops formed the First Australian Imperial Force and the New Zealanders the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force.
Early in 1915, as the two forces were training in Egypt, it was decided by General Birdwood, commander of the Australian and New Zealand forces, to form a combined corps. The first name suggested was the Australasian Army Corps, but this was rejected by New Zealand. Eventually the title Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (or ANZAC) was adopted. It was under this banner that the soldiers of both countries fought at Gallipoli and throughout World War I.
Video Letter From Gallipoli
British strategists decided that Australian and New Zealand soldiers should join the Gallipoli campaign, which was designed to knock Turkey out of the war as quickly as possible.
For eight months, from April to December 1915, the Allies continued to fight on the Gallipoli Peninsula, but the campaign was ultimately a failure. As a result, the majority of Australian soldiers were moved to the Western Front. There they engaged in trench warfare for the next three years, until November 1918. Australian troops who remained in the Middle East, mainly the Light Horse, continued to fight the Turks, especially in the Australian and Anzac Mounted Divisions and the Imperial Camel Corps.
Formation of the Anzacs
When the war began, there was an equally enthusiastic response from Australia and New Zealand. Initially their two forces were separate. The Australian troops formed the First Australian Imperial Force and the New Zealanders the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force.
Early in 1915, as the two forces were training in Egypt, it was decided by General Birdwood, commander of the Australian and New Zealand forces, to form a combined corps. The first name suggested was the Australasian Army Corps, but this was rejected by New Zealand. Eventually the title Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (or ANZAC) was adopted. It was under this banner that the soldiers of both countries fought at Gallipoli and throughout World War I.
Video Letter From Gallipoli
The Battle
The first major engagement of the Anzacs was as part of a campaign that aimed to take the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) out of the war. The plan was to open up a supply line from the Mediterranean through to Russia.
The only way that Britain and France could move troops, equipment or armaments to their ally Russia was through the Mediterranean Sea and into the Black Sea. To do this they had to pass through Turkish waters (see the map above).
The first part of the campaign plan was launched in March 1915. This involved a naval attack through the Dardanelles—a sea passage from the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea. This action failed because the entrance to the Dardanelles had been mined. Three Allied battleships were destroyed by these mines, and another three were badly damaged.
A plan was then developed to launch a land attack on the Gallipoli Peninsula from the Aegean Sea coast. The hope was that the Allies would surprise the Turks, defeat them quickly and then march on to take control of the Turkish capital, Constantinople (now Istanbul). This would open up the desired supply lines through to Russia, and help the Allies to fight Germany and Austria from the east.
The Battle of Lone Pine
06 August 1915 - 09 August 1915
One of the most famous assaults of the Gallipoli campaign, the Battle of Lone Pine was originally intended as a diversion from attempts by New Zealand and Australian units to force a breakout from the ANZAC perimeter on the heights of Chunuk Bair and Hill 971. The Lone Pine attack, launched by the 1st Brigade AIF in the late afternoon of 6 August 1915 pitched Australian forces against formidable entrenched Turkish positions, sections of which were securely roofed over with pine logs. In some instances the attackers had to break in through the roof of the trench systems in order to engage the defenders. The main Turkish trench was taken within 20 minutes of the initial charge but this was the prelude to 4 days of intense hand-to-hand fighting, resulting in over 2,000 Australian casualties.
The Nek
The Nek is a thin strip of ground leading up the range with steep drops on either side. The ANZAC attack of 7th August was to follow a predawn barrage. The element of surprise was lost when the barrage ended seven minutes early. The Turks knew what was coming and at 4.30 am the 8th Light Horse leapt from their trenches to be cut down and were eliminated in half a minute by 'one continuous roaring tempest' of machine-gun fire.
Two minutes later the next wave charged, and like the first was decimated, adding to the pile of bodies near the lip of the ANZAC trenches. At 4.45 am the 10th Light Horse also charged to their deaths. One of them was Wilfred Harper, who was seen sprinting toward the enemy like an Olympian. Harper's run was part of the inspiration for Peter Weir's film "Gallipoli". The film depicts a British Officer sending waves of Australians to their doom. In truth it was Australian officers who sent them to their deaths.
The fourth wave, under the command of Major Scott, was lined up and ready to go forward. Without orders the troops on the right rose and rushed over the parapet. Many of the officers knew that Lieutenant Colonel Noel Brazier was trying to have the fourth charge called off; the men did not. No one seemed to know quite what happened. Major Scott managed to stop some men leaving the trench, but the fourth slaughter had begun.
The scale of the tragedy at The Nek was the result of two inept Australian officers; Brigade commander Brigadier General Frederick Hughes and Lieutenant Colonel John Antill. Hughes was untried in this situation and assigned much responsibility to Antill. Antill could easily have been vindicated in calling the attack off after the slaughter of the first wave, but his direct order was to "push on".
The charge at The Nek is considered to be the most senseless and tragic waste of Australian lives at Gallipoli.
This is the battle that the film Gallipoli focuses on.
Video: Peter Jackson's ANZAC Day film.
The first major engagement of the Anzacs was as part of a campaign that aimed to take the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) out of the war. The plan was to open up a supply line from the Mediterranean through to Russia.
The only way that Britain and France could move troops, equipment or armaments to their ally Russia was through the Mediterranean Sea and into the Black Sea. To do this they had to pass through Turkish waters (see the map above).
The first part of the campaign plan was launched in March 1915. This involved a naval attack through the Dardanelles—a sea passage from the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea. This action failed because the entrance to the Dardanelles had been mined. Three Allied battleships were destroyed by these mines, and another three were badly damaged.
A plan was then developed to launch a land attack on the Gallipoli Peninsula from the Aegean Sea coast. The hope was that the Allies would surprise the Turks, defeat them quickly and then march on to take control of the Turkish capital, Constantinople (now Istanbul). This would open up the desired supply lines through to Russia, and help the Allies to fight Germany and Austria from the east.
The Battle of Lone Pine
06 August 1915 - 09 August 1915
One of the most famous assaults of the Gallipoli campaign, the Battle of Lone Pine was originally intended as a diversion from attempts by New Zealand and Australian units to force a breakout from the ANZAC perimeter on the heights of Chunuk Bair and Hill 971. The Lone Pine attack, launched by the 1st Brigade AIF in the late afternoon of 6 August 1915 pitched Australian forces against formidable entrenched Turkish positions, sections of which were securely roofed over with pine logs. In some instances the attackers had to break in through the roof of the trench systems in order to engage the defenders. The main Turkish trench was taken within 20 minutes of the initial charge but this was the prelude to 4 days of intense hand-to-hand fighting, resulting in over 2,000 Australian casualties.
The Nek
The Nek is a thin strip of ground leading up the range with steep drops on either side. The ANZAC attack of 7th August was to follow a predawn barrage. The element of surprise was lost when the barrage ended seven minutes early. The Turks knew what was coming and at 4.30 am the 8th Light Horse leapt from their trenches to be cut down and were eliminated in half a minute by 'one continuous roaring tempest' of machine-gun fire.
Two minutes later the next wave charged, and like the first was decimated, adding to the pile of bodies near the lip of the ANZAC trenches. At 4.45 am the 10th Light Horse also charged to their deaths. One of them was Wilfred Harper, who was seen sprinting toward the enemy like an Olympian. Harper's run was part of the inspiration for Peter Weir's film "Gallipoli". The film depicts a British Officer sending waves of Australians to their doom. In truth it was Australian officers who sent them to their deaths.
The fourth wave, under the command of Major Scott, was lined up and ready to go forward. Without orders the troops on the right rose and rushed over the parapet. Many of the officers knew that Lieutenant Colonel Noel Brazier was trying to have the fourth charge called off; the men did not. No one seemed to know quite what happened. Major Scott managed to stop some men leaving the trench, but the fourth slaughter had begun.
The scale of the tragedy at The Nek was the result of two inept Australian officers; Brigade commander Brigadier General Frederick Hughes and Lieutenant Colonel John Antill. Hughes was untried in this situation and assigned much responsibility to Antill. Antill could easily have been vindicated in calling the attack off after the slaughter of the first wave, but his direct order was to "push on".
The charge at The Nek is considered to be the most senseless and tragic waste of Australian lives at Gallipoli.
This is the battle that the film Gallipoli focuses on.
Video: Peter Jackson's ANZAC Day film.
Conditions at Gallipoli
Conditions at Gallipoli were extremely difficult. The Allies landed in the Turkish spring. A sweltering summer followed. The bitterly cold winter would really take its toll. For men used to temperate Australian conditions, the icy north wind and snowfalls cut right through the meagre protection offered by inadequate uniforms. Frequent rainfalls flooded the trenches and turned the battlefields to mud.
Despite the rain and snow, drinking water was in short supply. It had to be shipped in to the troops, and this could be difficult if a supply ship ran into problems. Water was rationed carefully and soldiers were so conscious of the shortages that they often shaved with leftover cold tea. Food was more plentiful, although lacking in variety. Rations commonly included canned meat, corned beef (called ‘bully beef’) and hard biscuits. Fresh food was rarely available.
Poor health was a major problem. Painful conditions and diseases such as trench foot, dysentery, diarrhoea and gastroenteritis were common in the damp conditions of the trenches. Illness was spread by rats, lice, flies and mosquitoes. Many pests were attracted by the strong odour of decomposing bodies and human waste. Poor sanitation and poor food-handling practices meant the germs were often transferred to food and water supplies.
Homework Task 04: Primary and Secondary Sources
Homework Task 05: Photo Essay
Withdrawal
In December 1915, the Anzacs were finally ordered to withdraw from Gallipoli. To hide the fact that they were leaving, they rigged up some rifles to fire at random. They did this by attaching tins to the rifles’ trigger mechanisms with string. When the tins filled with water dripping from other tins suspended above, their weight caused the triggers to be pulled and the rifles to fire. This tactic became known as the ‘ghost guns of Gallipoli’. Soldiers also carefully wrapped the horses’ hooves in cloth to muffle the sound of their leaving. The last Australian soldiers were evacuated overnight on 19–20 December. Because of its efficiency, the silent withdrawal is usually remembered as the most successful part of the Gallipoli campaign.
Over the course of the campaign, 8709 Australians died, and 19 000 were wounded. Over the same period, over 80 000 Turks were killed. During their time on Gallipoli, the ‘diggers’—as Australian troops became known—displayed a courage and ingenuity that would form the basis of the Anzac legend. This legend would contribute to the Australian sense of identity over the course of the 20th century.
Isn't that nice?
Questions:
And then came the film...
Conditions at Gallipoli were extremely difficult. The Allies landed in the Turkish spring. A sweltering summer followed. The bitterly cold winter would really take its toll. For men used to temperate Australian conditions, the icy north wind and snowfalls cut right through the meagre protection offered by inadequate uniforms. Frequent rainfalls flooded the trenches and turned the battlefields to mud.
Despite the rain and snow, drinking water was in short supply. It had to be shipped in to the troops, and this could be difficult if a supply ship ran into problems. Water was rationed carefully and soldiers were so conscious of the shortages that they often shaved with leftover cold tea. Food was more plentiful, although lacking in variety. Rations commonly included canned meat, corned beef (called ‘bully beef’) and hard biscuits. Fresh food was rarely available.
Poor health was a major problem. Painful conditions and diseases such as trench foot, dysentery, diarrhoea and gastroenteritis were common in the damp conditions of the trenches. Illness was spread by rats, lice, flies and mosquitoes. Many pests were attracted by the strong odour of decomposing bodies and human waste. Poor sanitation and poor food-handling practices meant the germs were often transferred to food and water supplies.
Homework Task 04: Primary and Secondary Sources
Homework Task 05: Photo Essay
Withdrawal
In December 1915, the Anzacs were finally ordered to withdraw from Gallipoli. To hide the fact that they were leaving, they rigged up some rifles to fire at random. They did this by attaching tins to the rifles’ trigger mechanisms with string. When the tins filled with water dripping from other tins suspended above, their weight caused the triggers to be pulled and the rifles to fire. This tactic became known as the ‘ghost guns of Gallipoli’. Soldiers also carefully wrapped the horses’ hooves in cloth to muffle the sound of their leaving. The last Australian soldiers were evacuated overnight on 19–20 December. Because of its efficiency, the silent withdrawal is usually remembered as the most successful part of the Gallipoli campaign.
Over the course of the campaign, 8709 Australians died, and 19 000 were wounded. Over the same period, over 80 000 Turks were killed. During their time on Gallipoli, the ‘diggers’—as Australian troops became known—displayed a courage and ingenuity that would form the basis of the Anzac legend. This legend would contribute to the Australian sense of identity over the course of the 20th century.
Isn't that nice?
Questions:
- What was the aim of the Gallipoli campaign?
- Give two reasons why the campaign was unsuccessful.
- Why do you think the Australian soldiers earned high praise, even though they did not achieve what they hoped to?
- Explain why some people argue that the withdrawal of the Anzacs from Gallipoli was the most successful part of the campaign.
And then came the film...
Questions:
Activity: Reflective Writing - Why The Impact?
Look at the photograph on below and read the caption accompanying the photograph.
Why did the Gallipoli campaign have such an impact on Australians when only 8,70 were killed there compared to more than 42,000 Australians who were killed on the Western Front in World War I? Justify your answer based all the information covered in the unit so far. (200+ Words)
- What attitude does Peter Weir have towards war? How do you know? Give an example of his feelings (shown through his construction of images of war) from one of the scenes you have viewed.
- What are some of the images of war that have been used to convey the conflict/situation the Australian soldiers experienced during the Gallipoli campaign?
- Do you think Peter Weir's film is objective or subjective in its account of the incident at Gallipoli? Explain with examples from the film.
- In the film why were the soldiers given such an impressive farewell?
- Did the soldiers in the AIF appear to respect the British? Why?
Activity: Reflective Writing - Why The Impact?
Look at the photograph on below and read the caption accompanying the photograph.
Why did the Gallipoli campaign have such an impact on Australians when only 8,70 were killed there compared to more than 42,000 Australians who were killed on the Western Front in World War I? Justify your answer based all the information covered in the unit so far. (200+ Words)
Caption: Anzac Day service, Gallipoli, 25 April 1923. The tradition of commemorating the Gallipoli landings of 25 April 1915 began the following year, in 1916, when the anniversary was marked by civilians and servicemen in Australia and overseas. After the war, Anzac Day services began to be held near the site of the original landings, and the numbers attending the commemorations at Gallipoli grew significantly in the years leading up to, and after, the turn of the 21st century.