"The story of the Anzacs at Gallipoli remains an important part of Australia's national identity. More than 8,000 Australians lost their lives in the ill-fated attempt to force passage through the Dardanelles strait and capture the Turkish capital, Constantinople. The legends of Anzac heroism, mateship and ingenuity have gone down in folklore along with names like Simpson and Jacka VC. Another part of that legend is the bungled landing in the wrong spot, the superior fighting skills of the bronzed diggers, and a defeat brought about as much because of dithering English commanders as the Turkish guns. But how much of what Australians have come to believe about the Anzacs is fact, and how much is fiction? ABC Fact Check asks the experts about five common myths."
GaryKelly said
08:15 AM Apr 25, 2014
Well, you know what they say about a good story and not letting the facts get in the way. People feel as strongly about their myths as they do about their religion. It's all part of the human condition ya know.
moamajohn said
08:53 AM Apr 25, 2014
I,d like to put some of these smart arses on that beach and see how they got on ! Plus i,m 5,7" big deal I make a smaller target and height makes no difference to being gutsy or a bloody good shot. Plus none of us was their !!! Hypothesis is just so simple isn,t it !
dorian said
09:33 AM Apr 25, 2014
Nobody is denying the heroism and sacrifice ... on both sides. My overall view is one of sadness and compassion, and I would never presume to sit in judgment from the comfort of my armchair. IMO, a nation can never do enough for its service men and women.
That said, let's re-examine the Gallipoli landings from the Royal Navy's perspective. What if they have been unjustly blamed for the debacle for the past century? And remember, the British have an Official Secrets Act that keeps their dirty laundry out of sight for 100 years. I think there will be many more unpalatable revelations in the near future.
Here's an unpleasant story that was aired a few years ago:
"KERRY O'BRIEN, PRESENTER: The charge of the Australian Light Horse at Beersheba, in what is now part of Israel, was a major strategic victory in the First World War. The battle, on 31st October, 1917, forced the Turkish army to retreat and opened the way for the fall of Jerusalem. But there was no war correspondent in Beersheba. And it has never become part of the national mythology like Gallipoli or the Somme.
A new book or Beersheba asks why Australia's victory in such a crucial campaign has been largely forgotten. Could it be because of a dark episode uncovered by author Paul Daley that sits starkly at odds with the broader ANZAC legend."
Vic41 said
11:50 AM Apr 25, 2014
I saw a doco some time ago that the charge took the Turks completely by surprise, their rifles and guns had been adjusted for the longer distance to the Australian lines and they had no time to adjust them for the shorter range during the charge to the Australians advantage.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-25/five-anzac-myths-put-to-the-test/5393750
"The story of the Anzacs at Gallipoli remains an important part of Australia's national identity. More than 8,000 Australians lost their lives in the ill-fated attempt to force passage through the Dardanelles strait and capture the Turkish capital, Constantinople. The legends of Anzac heroism, mateship and ingenuity have gone down in folklore along with names like Simpson and Jacka VC. Another part of that legend is the bungled landing in the wrong spot, the superior fighting skills of the bronzed diggers, and a defeat brought about as much because of dithering English commanders as the Turkish guns. But how much of what Australians have come to believe about the Anzacs is fact, and how much is fiction? ABC Fact Check asks the experts about five common myths."
That said, let's re-examine the Gallipoli landings from the Royal Navy's perspective. What if they have been unjustly blamed for the debacle for the past century? And remember, the British have an Official Secrets Act that keeps their dirty laundry out of sight for 100 years. I think there will be many more unpalatable revelations in the near future.
Here's an unpleasant story that was aired a few years ago:
New book uncovers dark episode at Beersheba:
www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2009/s2639208.htm
"KERRY O'BRIEN, PRESENTER: The charge of the Australian Light Horse at Beersheba, in what is now part of Israel, was a major strategic victory in the First World War. The battle, on 31st October, 1917, forced the Turkish army to retreat and opened the way for the fall of Jerusalem. But there was no war correspondent in Beersheba. And it has never become part of the national mythology like Gallipoli or the Somme.
A new book or Beersheba asks why Australia's victory in such a crucial campaign has been largely forgotten. Could it be because of a dark episode uncovered by author Paul Daley that sits starkly at odds with the broader ANZAC legend."
I saw a doco some time ago that the charge took the Turks completely by surprise, their rifles and guns had been adjusted for the longer distance to the Australian lines and they had no time to adjust them for the shorter range during the charge to the Australians advantage.
An amazing result and victory.