Understanding The Anzac Fable

The Anzac Legend is the source of the Aussie Fight and bravery that will live on for future generations to understand and to acknowledge their courage and bravery.

Some would say The Anzac Legend all began when Britain declared they were in need of help and it was Australias duty to go to their aid. Australia tossed aside experience and opted for youth. There were big incentives to go. To travel and visit foreign places, economic reasons, to be with their mates but the most incentive of all was that Britain needed help.

Although these facts are all true one of the most important was that they would have the honour of representing their country with honour and pride which is the true Anzac Legend. This was how the Australian Imperial Force was formed. The Australians worked hard and were enthusiastic and had all their equipment ready for battle and the troops headed to Egypt for training.

The larrikiness of the Australians was shown by their lack of discipline and disregard for the people of Egypt. We saw this in the movie when Frank Dunn and his mates caused trouble by harassing owners of shops and playing pranks on others and paying for prostitutes.

During this time more steps were taken to develop a legend by giving the troops a form of National Identity and calling them The Anzacs. We know now that it is now a part of Australias cultural identity and origin on the battlefield.

The Anzacs didnt have the firepower and weaponry of the Turks but they had brains and initiative which deemed them ready to hit the battlefields.

On the 21st of April the Soldiers were given the nod to go ahead with the landing by Sir Ian Hamilton who wrote an inspiring letter that probably gave the troops a great boost of confidence. They landed on the 25th of April at Anzac Cove with no fear just a killer instinct and a do or die attitude which had to be adopted for its the only way that a war can be fought . These characteristics were underlined at the Nek, better known as The Battle of the Ridges. The Anzacs charged at the Turks with Bayonets in hope to gain control of the heights as this would be one of the only hopes of victory. Although there was very little gained out of the plan the Movie Gallipoli shows the bravery and the fight of the troops even when they were to meet almost certain doom they still fought on or did their best for the Anzacs and for their country.

The Anzacs who were under adversity in extremely hot summer conditions and many troops were suffering from diseases. There was also a lack of suitable facilities to store the food and a lot of it got spoiled, which caused illness among the troops. They still managed to keep their mateship and camaraderie that is fitting of the Anzac Legend. There was a great admiration for the Intelligence of the Australians and their initiative. These tactics were flawless for example they used to put a hat on a stick to draw Turkish fire. They made bombs from old tin cans, nails, shrapnel and other metal. One of the men managed to invent a periscope rifle that was very accurate.

On the night of August 6 the Anzacs attacked the Turks at the Lone Pine Area and eventually forced the Turks to struggle and finally they gave up on the night of the 9th of August. Unfortunately there were 2000 Australians dead but the attack proved to be successful and showed the true fight and spirit of the Anzacs.

The Anzac Legend to me is the showing of courage and bravery and a sense of comfort knowing that you had all those men on your side and nothing would stand in anyones way to get the Turks. I feel proud to be Australian when I know that those young men who signed up to fight for Australia protected themselves and stood up for themselves to help the British.