We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/04/anzac_day_1.html Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:36:32 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2012 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Today is ANZAC Day, the Australia-New Zealand equivalent to Memorial Day. This morning, the Australian color floats above the Castle. This afternoon, the New Zealand color will take its place. New Zealand Website on ANZAC Day. The Australian Equivalent. The Gallipoli Campaign was the brainchild of Winston Churchill, an attempt to force the Dardanelles and reach the Black Sea, freeing up the Russian Black Sea Fleet and opening up new routes of supply and a new thrust at the Austrians and Germans via the Balkans. Churchill really had the hots for the idea that Italy and the Balkans represented the... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/04/anzac_day_1.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/04/anzac_day_1.html Wed, 25 Apr 2007 06:37:00 -0600 "Those heroes who 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 Mehmets to us where they lie side by side 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 bosoms and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they become our sons as well." Atatürk http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/04/anzac_day_1.html#comment-59446 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/04/anzac_day_1.html#comment-59446 Wed, 25 Apr 2007 18:58:41 -0600 Having explored the very top layer of the Gallipoli campaign, I've found that the soldiers of either side were very careful to respect one another's fallen on the field. The Turks even refer to the Aussie dead as their "fallen brothers"... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/04/anzac_day_1.html#comment-59440 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/04/anzac_day_1.html#comment-59440 Wed, 25 Apr 2007 13:35:54 -0600 I had the privilege of being an exchange officer to Australia from 1992-1994. ANZAC Day was a very bitter-sweet time for the ANZ troops. It's the only day of the year where "diggers" are allowed to gamble; the day begins at 0400 around a barrel-fire, drinking rum coffee and waiting for the sun. The officers go off to do their parades and memorials, etc, and the diggers (RSMs and below) make their way to the RSO clubs for a day of drinking, telling of TINS, and basically revelling in the fellowship of arms. Bar none - it was the best two years of my 20, and a time of building life-long friendships. For you museum lovers, and those who can afford it (John) - you must make the trip to Canberra to visit the Australian War Memorial. It is the best display of the passion for service I have ever seen. "Advance Australia Fair"!! ML http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/04/anzac_day_1.html#comment-59435 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/04/anzac_day_1.html#comment-59435 Wed, 25 Apr 2007 10:02:16 -0600 According to an Ausie RAAF exchange officer I once worked for; the last straw for the Ausies, as far as UK command structure was concerned, came when the Japanese invaded the PI and New Guinea. The Ausie gov't asked Winnie if the could please have their soldiers back from North Africa and the assets to get them back to defend their own back yard (literally). Winnie agreed to let them have their soldiers and the transport ships to bring them home, but no naval escort. Since they couldn’t get through the Suez, they had to steam around Africa and across the Indian ocean through U-boat patrol routes. As the Ausies see it, by the grace of god, they made it, but they decided at that moment that their National Defense Strategy would be linked to alliances with the US, rather than the mother country. Anyway, that’s the official line as it was relayed to me by aforementioned RAAF officer (squadron leader, at the time). http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/04/anzac_day_1.html#comment-59431 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/04/anzac_day_1.html#comment-59431 Wed, 25 Apr 2007 09:44:17 -0600