Anzac Legend

Anzac Legend

On the 25th of April 1915, when the ANZAC troops landed on the shores of Gallipoli, a legend began. Even though the Gallipoli Campaign resulted in devastating loss and a military defeat, the traits demonstrated by the ANZACs created a legend, which is still remembered and honoured.

It is still remembered because of politicians, journalists and historians who contributed to the development of the legend. People like C.E.W. Bean, Ellis Ashmead Bartlett and William Hughes were significant to the growth of the legend. C.E.W. Bean, who was Australia’s official war correspondent and official war historian, travelled with the ANZAC troops to Gallipoli. He wrote detailed reports on the landing and the battles, which provided a personal perspective on the events.
An extract from his writings:
23 June 1915
One shell today hit a man in the water and took of his arm- at least it was hanging by a thread and he came out of the water holding it. It didn’t stop the bathing.

Also Ellis Ashmead Bartlett, a British war correspondent wrote articles on how the campaign was going. An extract from her writings:
8 May 1915
The Australian’s rose to the occasion. Not waiting for orders or for the boats to reach the breach, they sprang into the sea and forming a sort of rough line, rushed at the enemy trenches.

After the Gallipoli Campaign, Armistice Day was introduced, which commemorates the sacrifices made by all the servicemen and women in World War 1. Later, Anzac Day was introduced, which commemorates the sacrifices made by the Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women in Gallipoli. These days are very important to all Australians and are grandly celebrated every year.