A very brief introduction to the Anzac Legend.

Why the Sacrifice and What Does it Mean. The point of the Gallipoli campaign according to wartime strategy was to take Constantinople and put the control of the Dardanelles into the hands of the allies and thus surround Germany. The reality was that the Gallipoli campaign was a failure. Commonwealth and allied forces failed to take any strategic targets and ultimately were forced to withdraw from a pointless and protracted stalemate. The initial Naval preparation to take the Dardanelles was thwarted when a third of the British Naval assets were sunk or crippled in the first three days of the campaign. Afterwards it was decided that an full scale infantry invasion supported by British Naval guns would take the Dardanelles and eventually Constantinople (Saddler & Hallyer 2005). Gallipoli entered into popular consciousness of Australians so readily because it was the first major event in federal history in which combined Australian and New Zealand forces captured something of an Australian identity. The Myth of Gallipoli, of being Anzac was forged because of the selfless sacrifice that colonial soldiers made on behalf of the British Empire. This sacrifice embodied everything that Australians wanted to be and that the world thought of them. The Anzacs were proud, Athletic, loyal and brave they fought because of their sense of moral values was high and they had an even higher value placed of mate-ship, the idea that you were here because your mate was here and you needed each other (Saddler & Hallyer 2005). This was the first time that Australia had anything happen at a national level that could describe a sort of National spirit. A National spirit for all Australians and New Zealanders was bought a high cost. The phrase Lest we forget is not so much a phrase to remember fallen heros by, but words that conjure up what it means to be Australian and which emphasiss the creation of a real national identity. A single national identity voted for in 1901 in when Australia became a federation Canberra and cemented under fire in 1915 in Turkey (Tournier 2013). For the Turkish people Gallipoli is also a battle with its own legend attached to it and although their legend is not about forming a national identity it is about brother hood and solidarity. The Turks lost far more men in defence of their homeland than any of the invading forces ever did. Those Turkish soldiers lost to the Gallipoli campaign are known as Martyrs as befits warriors who truly acted out of duty in defence of their homeland. There was a second legend to arise during the Gallipoli campaign for the Turks and this was none other than Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. After the events of the First World War Ataturk would lead his country through some spectacular political and social reforms and put an end to the Ottoman Empire (Tournier 2013). The shared experience by both ANZAC countries and Turkey around Gallipoli has ensured that the legend of the ANZACs survives. Gallipoli is a spiritual home to fallen heros and Nation hood for both sides of the conflict and a mutual respect between the soldiers of the time, even though they were enemies has formed the basis of the virtues of being an ANZAC (Tournier 2013). Gallipoli

Most of the men recruited into the Australian Imperial Force at the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914 were sent to Egypt to meet the threat which the Ottoman Empire posed to British interests in the Middle East and to the Suez Canal. After four and a half months of training near Cairo, the Australians departed by ship for the Gallipoli peninsula, together with troops from New Zealand, Britain, and France. The aim of this deployment was to assist a British naval operation which aimed to force the Dardanelles Strait and capture the Turkish capital, Constantinople (Australian war memorial 2013). The Australians landed at what became known as ANZAC Cove on 25 April 1915, and they established a tenuous foothold on the steep slopes above the beach. During the early days of the campaign, the allies tried to break through the Turkish lines and the Turks tried to drive the allied troops off the peninsula. Concerted but unsuccessful allied attempts to break through in August included the Australian attacks at Lone Pine and the Nek. All attempts ended in failure for both sides, and the ensuing stalemate continued for the remainder of 1915. (Australian war memorial 2013) The Legend of ANZAC. The ANZAC was born on 25 April 1915, and was reaffirmed in eight months fighting on Gallipoli. Although there was no military victory, the Australians displayed great courage, endurance, initiative, discipline, and mate-ship. Such qualities came to be seen as the ANZAC spirit. Many saw the ANZAC spirit as having been born of egalitarianism and mutual support. According to the stereotype, the ANZAC rejected unnecessary restrictions, possessed a sardonic sense of humour, was contemptuous of danger, and proved himself the equal of anyone on the battlefield. Australians still invoke the ANZAC spirit in times of conflict, danger and hardship (Australian war memorial 2013). During the war the legend of ANZAC became the proud possession of all in the AIF and most Australians. Since then, the anniversary of 25 April 1915 has been commemorated each year as ANZAC Day.The legend of ANZAC remains relevant to many Australians. The word ANZAC, however, has different meanings for different people, and so remains open to interpretation (Australian war memorial 2013). Gallipoli Through Turkish Eyes. Today, despite the large Australian ANZAC Day attendances, more Turks visit the old battlefields area. Turkish monuments stand beside those of former enemies. Gallipoli was important to the Turkish people, because here they had repulsed the invaders. But it was the defeat of the Royal Navy on 18 March 1915 Victory Day that was mostly celebrated. ANZAC was especially important too, because the founder of the Turkish republic, had commanded there. Australians and Turks each see their Gallipoli stories as being about courage, sacrifice, and nationhood. For Turks the Gallipoli Martyrs are as important to their legend as the ANZACs are to Australians and New Zealanders (Australian war memorial 2013).

A Turkish Hero. Atatrk was born Mustafa Kemal at Salonika. After graduating from the military academy in Constantinople, Kemal pursued his military career with the Turkish Army in Syria and was part of the revolutionary forces facing off against Italy in Libya (Australian war memorial 2013). Kemal went to Gallipoli in 1915 as commander of the 19th Division, the main reserve of the Turkish Fifth Army, and was thus on hand to oppose the ANZAC landing in April. His superb grasp of strategy and ability to inspire his troops by his reckless bravery in action boosted Turkish morale and proved decisive in thwarting allied plans. Given command of all Turkish forces fighting in the Anafarta sector from Chunuk Bair to Suvla Bay, he was granted the title of Pasha after the August battles there. After commanding in the Caucasus, Kemal was at the head of Seventh Army in Palestine during the final allied offensive which defeated Turkey in 1918. (Australian war memorial 2013) He was an immortal hero to his people and an extraordinary leader and peacemaker. Kemal said in 1933, "I look to the world with an open heart full of pure feelings and friendship". With similar words in 1934 he told the people of Australia and New Zealand that they could be confident that their lost sons, Husbands and fathers who had died during the Gallipoli campaign were now resting in the land of a friend and they would always be welcome (Tournier 2013).

Outcome.
The final outcome of the Gallipoli campaign was a complete failure from a military perspective and the only redeeming action of the entire conflict was the successful withdrawal of allied troops from Gallipoli over two day with only two casualties being suffered. This campaign was supposed to bring about an early end to the war but it has been argued that after all the bloodshed and pointless attempts to gain a foothold in Turkey the Gallipoli campaign did not bring the war even one day closer to its end and perhaps did not even have an effect on the war at all (Tournier 2013). It seems then that from such ashes the victory for the Australian and New Zealand publics was that of a new national identity which embodied the very ideals that every Australian should expect of themselves Loyalty, Bravery, Mate-ship and Initiative. The ANZACs might have lost the battle but their deaths were not in vain they bought a soul for their fledgling nations (Tournier 2013).

This article was written by Rolf Tournier.

Reference list. Australian war memorial website. J,R. Tournier. The ANZAC legacy and How it has captured the Australian Mind. Unpublished. T,Hallyer & R, Saddler .(2005). In the Line of Fire. Pan Macmillan: Sydney.