ANZAC Day

[gekkogecko]

Although technically, it's only the 99th ANZAC Day as such-landings in 1915, ANZAC Day was proclaimed as such the next year. I've been more or less liveblogging the First World War, just 100 years late, on a different set of forums. Excerpts from today's post, since it's the 100th Anniversary of the landing themselves:

Allied landings on Gallipoli Peninsula supported by 18 battleships, 2 cruisers, 29 destroyers and 8 submarines which fire 8,010 shells. River Clyde, converted collier landing ship at V Beach, fails to work as planned but her crew win 5 Victoria Cross. Australian submarine AE2 sinks Turkish gunboat in Narrows and is first Allied boat into Sea of Marmara. Eventually,
33,000 Allies land round Cape Helles, at Anzac Cove (mistakenly) and Kum Kale in Asia (3,000 French in feint until next day). Losses: Allies c.4,178, Turk c.4,730, for this day.

The Turkish forces were well prepared to meet them, however, as they had long been aware of the likelihood of just such an invasion. Lieutenant-Colonel Mustafa Kemal of the 19th Division is ordered to defend against the landings: http://imgur.com/HWd0hFC The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) was devastated by some of the best-trained Turkish defenders, aided by the rough terrain of ridges and cliffs that hamper the ANZAC advance.

And finally, Eric Bogle, performing “And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda”, which was written about the landings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8YLUZgzEnE

[dicksbro]

Interesting bit of history, GG. Thanks.

[Oldfart]

It's the second best Australian war song. The best is the Vietnam song,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Urtiyp-G6jY

ANZAC Day is mega big in Oz and New Zealand, so big that the public holiday cannot be moved from the day it falls on. If it falls on a weekend, the holiday is not moved to Monday.

[Teddy Bear]

The wide and varied interests of our Pixies is always fun to discover. And this post held true to that.

Thanks for sharing GG.

I had no idea that Waltzing Matilda was written about that.

[gekkogecko]

Ooops, no: "Waltzing Matilda" is an Australian bush ballad (and not even a waltz! it's written in 4/4 time). Eric Bogle's song "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" is eentirely different: the latter was the one written about the ANZACs at Gallipoli.

Part of the reason that it's so important as OF points out is that it was the first time that the Australian & New Zealanders fought as a unit under their own flag: ANZAC is the acronym of Australian-New Zealand Army Corps. Very much the coming of age experience for them as nations.

[Teddy Bear]

Ahh-ha.... mixed up the songs I did. TY for explaining it GG.

Now food I know a bit more about. ANZAC biscuits or Pavlova, which is really yummy!!

[Oldfart]

Pavlova really is just the top of a Lemon Meringue Pie with some fruit and cream.

A "matilda" was a tramp's swag, rather like the American "bindle". To take to the road with your swag was Waltzing Matilda.

[Teddy Bear]

Thanks OF........

Now if you'll excuse me i'll go look up "bindle".....

Maybe take some lamington's.......... I know, only stale cake covered in chocolate, but yummmm.

[Teddy Bear]

OK, I'm back....

bindle = a hobo bag of belongings, often tied on the end of a stick, carried over his shoulder. May come from the word 'bundle'. A type of bedroll, with bedding wrapped around clothing and other personal items.

And this says it all: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEVKUE_ma00


Thank you OF. Again learned something new at Pixies Place.

[Oldfart]

There is a wonderful American term "bindlestiff", which is one who predates on hoboes, stealing their bindles for their own survival.