In 1914, the Australian Imperial Force (AIF)
and the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) were joined to create
the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). Originally to
be sent to join the fight against Germany in France, they were diverted
to Egypt for training after Turkey entered the war.
After the Royal Navy failed to breach the Turkish defences at the
Dardanelles, a British plan was hastily cobbled together to launch
a series of landings on the Gallipoli Peninsula. British and French
troops were to land at Cape Helles and the ANZACs on the western
side at Gaba Tepe.
Unfortunately, the ANZACs were landed more than a mile north of
the intended target and, instead of the open Plains of Maidos, they
were forced to attack in the broken foothills of the Sari Bair Range.
Militarily they were never to recover from this disaster. It marred
the plan and made their task impossible.
Few of the 12,000 ANZAC troops that landed that day could have foreseen
what lay ahead and how their actions would contribute to shaping
the culture and spirit of their nations. It is a legend that will
remain etched forever in the hearts and minds of Australians and
New Zealanders.
