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29 May 2011
Gallipoli: the battle field
Sunday, 29 May 2011 | 23:34
The Anzacs are best known for their battle in Gallipoli.
1914, April the 25th: Australian and New Zealand soldiers land in Gallipoli.
The battle to seize the Ottoman forts became a drawn out and bloody battle. It stretched on for eight months.
Instead of landing two kilometres from the decided destination, the Anzacs were released onto a steep, mountain terrain instead of the expected flat ground. The Anzac were faced with death as the enemies fired from their advantaged point up on the cliffs. There was no place to hide and the soldiers only covered a distance of 900 metres into the land.
The loss of the battle was a disappointment for Australia, New Zealand, British and the allies. Yet, the Australian and New Zealand soldiers became renown for their bravery in fighting a horrifying battle. The world will never forget the blood shed of WWI but the world will also never forget the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps for their participation in the war.
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| Wall of Remembrance, dedicated to the Anzacs. |
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal,
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is music in the midst of desolation,
And a glory that shines upon her tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables at home;
They have no lot in our labour of the daytime;
They sleep beyond England's foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known,
As the stars are known to the night.
As the stars will be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
Laurence Binyon, English Poet
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