New Zealanders celebrate ANZAC Day (Australia New Zealand Army Corp) every year with great pride and remember the lives of those who died while fighting the war and those veterans who returned home. They celebrate their accomplishments, honour their sacrifices and remember the dead. ANZAC day is celebrated on 25th April which marks the anniversary of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli in 1915.
World War I is remembered as “The Great War” and “The war to end all wars”. Many battles took place and many made
history. In the history of World War 1, the Gallipoli campaign has no major significance. Although the battle went on for nine months by the end of which 120, 000 soldiers from the allies side (Australia, New Zealand, France, British) and the Turkish side died, this however was nothing compared to battles like the Battle of Somme and the Battle of Passchendaele where millions of soldiers perished in while fighting and thousands were injured. The Gallipoli Campaign however holds a very special place in New Zealand’s History. Gallipoli marks the beginning of New Zealanders truly uniting.
During World War 1 New Zealand fought in other battles such as the Battle of Passchendaele and the Battle of Somme and when those battles are remembered internationally New Zealand as a country was never highlighted as a big part of them. In World War 1 history New Zealand involvement in the war was always classified under British involvement or as British allies/colonies. Back home in New Zealand even New Zealanders didn’t recognise themselves as New Zealanders. Despite growing up in New Zealand or being born here they still classified themselves as British and thought of Britain being their home despite not ever visiting there. The ANZAC landing at Gallipoli however changed that.
Bit of Gallipoli Background
During 1915 when World War1 began New Zealand was a British colony. When the war broke out Germany, Ottoman Empire and Austro-Hungary were on one side and "the allies" being Britain, France and their colonies were on another. During November 1914 Prime Minister Churchill of Britain was weighing the idea of attacking Gallipoli and on February 16th 1915 French and British forces began a naval attack on the Ottoman-Turkish Empire however that did not prove to be of much success. During March 1915 it was decided upon that Britain and France would use military combat and land in Gallipoli to take over Kilid Bahr plateau so from there Turkish position that was dominating the sea could be destroyed and naval military action could take place. Around 75, 000 soldiers came in the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force and gathered in Egypt. These involved France, Britain and their allies. The ANZACs were part of that. Although ANZACs were training in Egypt since December in order to be transferred to the western front, decision was made about landing at Gallipoli and facing Turkish defences with Britain and France.
World War I is remembered as “The Great War” and “The war to end all wars”. Many battles took place and many made
history. In the history of World War 1, the Gallipoli campaign has no major significance. Although the battle went on for nine months by the end of which 120, 000 soldiers from the allies side (Australia, New Zealand, France, British) and the Turkish side died, this however was nothing compared to battles like the Battle of Somme and the Battle of Passchendaele where millions of soldiers perished in while fighting and thousands were injured. The Gallipoli Campaign however holds a very special place in New Zealand’s History. Gallipoli marks the beginning of New Zealanders truly uniting.
During World War 1 New Zealand fought in other battles such as the Battle of Passchendaele and the Battle of Somme and when those battles are remembered internationally New Zealand as a country was never highlighted as a big part of them. In World War 1 history New Zealand involvement in the war was always classified under British involvement or as British allies/colonies. Back home in New Zealand even New Zealanders didn’t recognise themselves as New Zealanders. Despite growing up in New Zealand or being born here they still classified themselves as British and thought of Britain being their home despite not ever visiting there. The ANZAC landing at Gallipoli however changed that.
Bit of Gallipoli Background
During 1915 when World War1 began New Zealand was a British colony. When the war broke out Germany, Ottoman Empire and Austro-Hungary were on one side and "the allies" being Britain, France and their colonies were on another. During November 1914 Prime Minister Churchill of Britain was weighing the idea of attacking Gallipoli and on February 16th 1915 French and British forces began a naval attack on the Ottoman-Turkish Empire however that did not prove to be of much success. During March 1915 it was decided upon that Britain and France would use military combat and land in Gallipoli to take over Kilid Bahr plateau so from there Turkish position that was dominating the sea could be destroyed and naval military action could take place. Around 75, 000 soldiers came in the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force and gathered in Egypt. These involved France, Britain and their allies. The ANZACs were part of that. Although ANZACs were training in Egypt since December in order to be transferred to the western front, decision was made about landing at Gallipoli and facing Turkish defences with Britain and France.
The fact that it was solely New Zealand and Australian forces was significant as well. Men were not representing the British Empire as they had previously done (including in the New Zealand Wars), they were representing specifically New Zealanders and Australians but within the idea of the British Empire. Our sacrifice was about us earning our place in the British Empire as a nation." (Newton Rewi, History Degree,
interview)
The map above represents the British and ANZAC landing in Gallipoli. They landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula and were positioned there for nine long and harsh months. During their stay the cove became quite famous and on ANZAC Day in 1985, the name "Anzac Cove" was officially acknowledged by the Turkish government. This shows the importance of Gallipoli to New Zealanders because it signifies the fact that New Zealand soldiers weren't just part of British colonies at
Gallipoli, they were ANZACs. Being a small country New Zealand is overlooked in battles they participated in mainly due to smaller numbers (in the thousands) in comparison to other countries such as France and Britain (in the millions). Gallipoli gave New Zealand, along with Australia recognition on an international platform as individuals part of a nation instead as just a colony of Britain.
On April 30th 1915, 5 days after the ANZACs landed in Gallipoli, news arrived in New Zealand of the landing and a half day was declared and the following year on April 25th it was officially declared ANZAC Day. Till date ANZAC Day is recognised every year and is a half day holiday. Hundreds of services are held on ANZAC Day and the sacrifice of New Zealanders during the world war remembered.
Gallipoli, they were ANZACs. Being a small country New Zealand is overlooked in battles they participated in mainly due to smaller numbers (in the thousands) in comparison to other countries such as France and Britain (in the millions). Gallipoli gave New Zealand, along with Australia recognition on an international platform as individuals part of a nation instead as just a colony of Britain.
On April 30th 1915, 5 days after the ANZACs landed in Gallipoli, news arrived in New Zealand of the landing and a half day was declared and the following year on April 25th it was officially declared ANZAC Day. Till date ANZAC Day is recognised every year and is a half day holiday. Hundreds of services are held on ANZAC Day and the sacrifice of New Zealanders during the world war remembered.
This video above (Primary Source) shows the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli and rare footage of them on the battle field. Gallipoli was also special to New Zealanders because it was the first time communities and families got a glimpse of what life was like for the men after being very oblivious to war life. This rare video gave families an indication of what their loved ones were going through as back in the early 1900s you can only believe in what you hear. This video gave soldiers a lot of honour and respect back home as families saw the job they were doing.
Gallipoli: The failure of the Allies
When the allies arrived in Gallipoli they went ashore on different sections on the Peninsula (as shown on the map above). They were encountered with close to no Turkish resistance. Despite this, the Gallipoli Campaign became on of the major failures of World War 1 for the allies and one of the biggest victories for the Turkish-Ottoman.
"The Allied commanders were too hesitant or simply incompetent and an important advantage was lost. The Turkish resistance was well-organised. Although daring and original in concept, the Allied plan failed through gross mismanagement on the ground and because of the courage of the Turkish." (Book, Stewart Ross, 2004 Arcturus Publishing Ltd)
The Gallipoli Campaign brought a lot of doubt to the Allied commanders leadership. The whole mission is remembered today as a big failure due to poor conduct and absolute incompetency. The allies found it close to impossible to push on ahead as the trench warfare was extensive and the Turkish defences was strong.
Reasons of ANZAC/Allies defeat:
* ill-defined goals
*poor planning
*insufficient artillery
*inexperienced troops
*inaccurate maps
*intelligence over confidence
*inadequate equipment and logistics
*tactical deficiencies at all levels
Aftermath of Gallipoli
"The incredible events of the ANZACs is a tale of harsh realities, courage, defeat, pride and spirit in war." (www.armymuseum.co.nz/kiwis-at-war)
"The Gallipoli Campaign played a huge part in fostering New Zealand's sense of national identity" (www.nzhistory.net.nz/first-world-war-overview)
Thousands of New Zealanders went overseas to fight in battle and went to Gallipoli. By the end of the Gallipoli Campaign 87,000 Turks and 44,000 British and French, including 8700 Australians and 2721 New Zealanders had died which is quarter of men who landed there and thousands more wounded.
Gallipoli brought New Zealanders a lot of pride and respect as they fought along France and Britain as ANZACs. While in Gallipoli, New Zealand soldiers began to form this new sense of national identity and the feeling of being a New Zealander. New Zealand was classified. (further explained in the impact on soldiers page)
The pride and accomplishment earned by the New Zealand soldiers is shown by the poem down below written by Kemal Atatürk in 1934. He was the founder of the Turkish Republic in 1923. This poem shows the amount of respect and pride earned by the ANZACs during the Gallipoli Campaign.
THE ANZAC MEMORIAL
Those heroes that shed their blood And lost their
lives...
You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.
Therefore,
rest in peace.
There is no difference between the Johnnies
And the
Mehmet to us where they lie side by side,
Here in this country of ours.
You, the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries...
Wipe away
your tears.
Your sons are now lying in our bosom And are in peace.
After
having lost their lives on this land, they have
Become our sons as well.
The significance of the Gallipoli Campaign to New Zealand will always be beyond words. The amount od dead, the amount of respect and the idea of national identity grew from a failure of the allies. Till date ANZAC Day is remembered and on April 25th every year there are services held through out New Zealand in mark of the battle that began New Zealand's national identity. Despite being a small country and during the time a colony of Britain, New Zealand and ANZACs stood out on an international stage and although minor, earned their place in World War 1 history through the Gallipoli Campaign.
Gallipoli: The failure of the Allies
When the allies arrived in Gallipoli they went ashore on different sections on the Peninsula (as shown on the map above). They were encountered with close to no Turkish resistance. Despite this, the Gallipoli Campaign became on of the major failures of World War 1 for the allies and one of the biggest victories for the Turkish-Ottoman.
"The Allied commanders were too hesitant or simply incompetent and an important advantage was lost. The Turkish resistance was well-organised. Although daring and original in concept, the Allied plan failed through gross mismanagement on the ground and because of the courage of the Turkish." (Book, Stewart Ross, 2004 Arcturus Publishing Ltd)
The Gallipoli Campaign brought a lot of doubt to the Allied commanders leadership. The whole mission is remembered today as a big failure due to poor conduct and absolute incompetency. The allies found it close to impossible to push on ahead as the trench warfare was extensive and the Turkish defences was strong.
Reasons of ANZAC/Allies defeat:
* ill-defined goals
*poor planning
*insufficient artillery
*inexperienced troops
*inaccurate maps
*intelligence over confidence
*inadequate equipment and logistics
*tactical deficiencies at all levels
Aftermath of Gallipoli
"The incredible events of the ANZACs is a tale of harsh realities, courage, defeat, pride and spirit in war." (www.armymuseum.co.nz/kiwis-at-war)
"The Gallipoli Campaign played a huge part in fostering New Zealand's sense of national identity" (www.nzhistory.net.nz/first-world-war-overview)
Thousands of New Zealanders went overseas to fight in battle and went to Gallipoli. By the end of the Gallipoli Campaign 87,000 Turks and 44,000 British and French, including 8700 Australians and 2721 New Zealanders had died which is quarter of men who landed there and thousands more wounded.
Gallipoli brought New Zealanders a lot of pride and respect as they fought along France and Britain as ANZACs. While in Gallipoli, New Zealand soldiers began to form this new sense of national identity and the feeling of being a New Zealander. New Zealand was classified. (further explained in the impact on soldiers page)
The pride and accomplishment earned by the New Zealand soldiers is shown by the poem down below written by Kemal Atatürk in 1934. He was the founder of the Turkish Republic in 1923. This poem shows the amount of respect and pride earned by the ANZACs during the Gallipoli Campaign.
THE ANZAC MEMORIAL
Those heroes that shed their blood And lost their
lives...
You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.
Therefore,
rest in peace.
There is no difference between the Johnnies
And the
Mehmet to us where they lie side by side,
Here in this country of ours.
You, the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries...
Wipe away
your tears.
Your sons are now lying in our bosom And are in peace.
After
having lost their lives on this land, they have
Become our sons as well.
The significance of the Gallipoli Campaign to New Zealand will always be beyond words. The amount od dead, the amount of respect and the idea of national identity grew from a failure of the allies. Till date ANZAC Day is remembered and on April 25th every year there are services held through out New Zealand in mark of the battle that began New Zealand's national identity. Despite being a small country and during the time a colony of Britain, New Zealand and ANZACs stood out on an international stage and although minor, earned their place in World War 1 history through the Gallipoli Campaign.