Anzacs

When war broke out in 1914, Australia had only been an independent nation for thirteen years and New Zealand for seven and both were eager to establish themselves on the international stage through fighting for the Commonwealth. The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps formed as part of The Mediterranean Expeditionary Force in 1914 under the leadership of General William Birdwood, an officer of the British Indian army, and quickly became known as the Anzacs.

In 1915, the Anzacs formed part of the expedition set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula, with the objective of opening the Dardanelles to the Allied navies and eventually capturing Constantinople. Landing on 25 April, the Anzacs were met with fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders, leading to a stalemate which lasted for eight months. The Anzacs launched an offensive in August, which resulted in 2,277 casualties, and seven Victoria Crosses being awarded to Australian soldiers. By the end of 1915 the Allied forces were evacuated from the peninsula. More than 8,000 Australian soldiers died in the campaign.

This Casemate Short History describes the heroic deeds of the Anzacs during WWI, discovering the stories behind the legend of the Anzac soldier, whilst also charting the Anzacs brief reestablishment during WWII and the Vietnam War. Despite Gallipoli being a military disaster, today 25 April is widely celebrated as Anzac Day in Australia, marking the anniversary of the first military action fought by the Anzacs. The actions of the army at Gallipoli continue to inspire thousands of Australians to visit the Turkish peninsula each year.