Gallipoli: Anzac History Hijacked to Justify War
October 29th 2006 00:42
Gallipoli: Anzac History Hijacked to Justify War.
To look at from every strategic angle the World War 1 battle on Gallipoli was an absolute disaster. It was a stupid tactic for a pointless gain that landed on the wrong beach. Even as the soldiers poured out of their landing craft on to the beach the Turkish army was mowing them down. The advantage to the Turks of a very steep incline was obvious. The Anzac (Australian and New Zealand Army Corp) troops had to shoot up hill at well protected posts. The beach was captured but the high ground remained in control of the Turkish army for months. Confusion reigned as thousands of troops were sent to reinforce the attack. Rather than helping the situation, the extra forces only provided more fodder for the enemy. Soon it became obvious that this battle was going to drag on but instead of ordering a retreat the order to stay was issued. The famous ‘Dig, dig, dig…’ command gave the Anzac forces their nick-name of Diggers and the name has stuck since. The stalemate continued on with the casualty number increasing. Occasion halt in the fighting were called so that the rotting, bloated and maggot infested bodies could be recovered for both sides. After months of pointless fighting the entire allied forces were withdraw in the matter of a few days. The number of casualties in the Gallipoli campaign was staggering to the population of Australia but by far the most significant casualty was Winston Churchill’s career. Seen as the architect of the disaster the public were scathing in their rebuke and his reputation as WW2 become evident.
From a tactical viewpoint the Gallipoli campaign was one of the worst in history. It was a total waste of human lives over an objective that was obviously unachievable. The command to dig in (Dig, dig, dig…) and fight was perhaps one of the most foolish and arrogant orders ever given to any army. Victoria Crosses and other medals do show the bravery of the soldiers in a battle that was actually a loss. Hence the number of dead and the ferocity of the fighting built up the reputation of the Anzac’s and helped forge a national point of focus. Even to this day people travel to Gallipoli to commemorate the failed campaign and to remember lost lives.
If anything can be learned from this disaster it has to be that war is a brutal struggle to the death of people following even the most stupid and suicidal orders. ‘Dig, dig, dig’ helped create the legend of the Anzac Diggers but it came at a terrible price.
The fog of history has turned a very unpopular disaster of WW1 in to romantic version of events. These days’ politicians are falling over each other to be at Gallipoli on Anzac Day and to make speeches about the greatness and bravery of the Diggers. The crowds have been growing each year and beach is to be renamed by Turkey as Anzac Cove. We are now being told that this failed battle built a nation and that it was a glorious fight. I doubt that the ‘maggot infested bodies’ felt the same glory. What is missing from the speeches given on Anzac Day was the disgust of the soldier themselves at the stupidity of the fight. Many wrote home asking their families to vote against conscription in an upcoming referendum. Many Australian soldiers would steadfastly refuse to salute any British officer.
Yet today we hear how wonderful and jovial our brave and willing Diggers were. John ‘Winston’ Howard is quick to associate himself with the Australian Defense Forces each time they leave to go to Iraq (A position that is traditionally reserved for Governor General). There is talk of the Anzac Legend, Tradition and above all Mateship, that made us the superior fighting force. Then when it comes to questioning the War in Iraq and the value of being there we are given the constant line of ‘Staying the Course Till the Job is Done.’ We are also told that we will not ‘Cut and Run’. It could be seen as the modern equivalent of saying: ‘Dig, dig, dig…’ For now it seems that even though the war in Iraq is looming toward disaster we will be digging in. Perhaps we are waiting for another moment to prove the ‘glory’ of sacrificing lives to stupid and suicidal tactics.
Gallipoli Casualties
Turkey 86,692
Britain 21,255
France 9,798
Australia 8,709
New Zealand 2,701
India 1,358
Newfoundland 49
Source of data: Australian Department of Veteran Affairs
To look at from every strategic angle the World War 1 battle on Gallipoli was an absolute disaster. It was a stupid tactic for a pointless gain that landed on the wrong beach. Even as the soldiers poured out of their landing craft on to the beach the Turkish army was mowing them down. The advantage to the Turks of a very steep incline was obvious. The Anzac (Australian and New Zealand Army Corp) troops had to shoot up hill at well protected posts. The beach was captured but the high ground remained in control of the Turkish army for months. Confusion reigned as thousands of troops were sent to reinforce the attack. Rather than helping the situation, the extra forces only provided more fodder for the enemy. Soon it became obvious that this battle was going to drag on but instead of ordering a retreat the order to stay was issued. The famous ‘Dig, dig, dig…’ command gave the Anzac forces their nick-name of Diggers and the name has stuck since. The stalemate continued on with the casualty number increasing. Occasion halt in the fighting were called so that the rotting, bloated and maggot infested bodies could be recovered for both sides. After months of pointless fighting the entire allied forces were withdraw in the matter of a few days. The number of casualties in the Gallipoli campaign was staggering to the population of Australia but by far the most significant casualty was Winston Churchill’s career. Seen as the architect of the disaster the public were scathing in their rebuke and his reputation as WW2 become evident.
From a tactical viewpoint the Gallipoli campaign was one of the worst in history. It was a total waste of human lives over an objective that was obviously unachievable. The command to dig in (Dig, dig, dig…) and fight was perhaps one of the most foolish and arrogant orders ever given to any army. Victoria Crosses and other medals do show the bravery of the soldiers in a battle that was actually a loss. Hence the number of dead and the ferocity of the fighting built up the reputation of the Anzac’s and helped forge a national point of focus. Even to this day people travel to Gallipoli to commemorate the failed campaign and to remember lost lives.
If anything can be learned from this disaster it has to be that war is a brutal struggle to the death of people following even the most stupid and suicidal orders. ‘Dig, dig, dig’ helped create the legend of the Anzac Diggers but it came at a terrible price.
The fog of history has turned a very unpopular disaster of WW1 in to romantic version of events. These days’ politicians are falling over each other to be at Gallipoli on Anzac Day and to make speeches about the greatness and bravery of the Diggers. The crowds have been growing each year and beach is to be renamed by Turkey as Anzac Cove. We are now being told that this failed battle built a nation and that it was a glorious fight. I doubt that the ‘maggot infested bodies’ felt the same glory. What is missing from the speeches given on Anzac Day was the disgust of the soldier themselves at the stupidity of the fight. Many wrote home asking their families to vote against conscription in an upcoming referendum. Many Australian soldiers would steadfastly refuse to salute any British officer.
Yet today we hear how wonderful and jovial our brave and willing Diggers were. John ‘Winston’ Howard is quick to associate himself with the Australian Defense Forces each time they leave to go to Iraq (A position that is traditionally reserved for Governor General). There is talk of the Anzac Legend, Tradition and above all Mateship, that made us the superior fighting force. Then when it comes to questioning the War in Iraq and the value of being there we are given the constant line of ‘Staying the Course Till the Job is Done.’ We are also told that we will not ‘Cut and Run’. It could be seen as the modern equivalent of saying: ‘Dig, dig, dig…’ For now it seems that even though the war in Iraq is looming toward disaster we will be digging in. Perhaps we are waiting for another moment to prove the ‘glory’ of sacrificing lives to stupid and suicidal tactics.
Gallipoli Casualties
Turkey 86,692
Britain 21,255
France 9,798
Australia 8,709
New Zealand 2,701
India 1,358
Newfoundland 49
Source of data: Australian Department of Veteran Affairs
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Comment by spain01
Juan Carlos
spain again
While your'e about it
Viva l'difference
Fire News Blog
Cities dying of thirst.
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
I am more worried when we start cellebrating death as if it is something to aspire to.
Also Churchill was an interresting and complexed character. He seem to have been both devil and saint to generations. I should do a post on him one day.
Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
Your post made me think in a new way about this. Didn't know my history, and hadn't considered the futility of Gallipoli before...
Spain01's comment reminded me of a psychology lecture I went to a few months back... Someone talking about changes in Australian warrior myths, from the bronzed digger to the messed up Nam vet.
By the way, what does "mateship" actually mean? How does one demonstrate it or not demonstrate it?
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
I think that nobody likes losing. The Vietnam vets took the brunt of the blame when they returned. Scape goats for both side: the Left saw them as killers and the Right saw them as cowards.
I always get jittery when politians start associating them selves with any millitary battle. I'd worry more of they start talking about conscription.