The landing at Gallipoli was part of a campain to force Germany’s ally, Turkey out of World War One. Unfortunately that never happened and after 8 months of little progress and great loss of life on both sides, the ANZACs were evacuated in December of the same year.
Even though it was a defeat, it was a time when the ANZACs came of age as a fighting force, and that event has became a part of both nations common heritage. A time to look back on with pride. Not to dwell on the defeat there, but to honour and celebrate the courage, endurance and discipline, not to mention mateship of the two countries’ troops.
Even 83 years on, this day is a public Holiday in Australia, and remembered with Great pride. Sure some just use the Holiday without much regard to its origins, but rather than its importance dying out with the old soldiers, the event itself is becoming more and more imbedded in the youth of today, with many regarding a trip to Gallipoli on the day itself, as a right of Passage of sorts.
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