Anzac Spirit Research Paper

The role of Australian nurses in World War ll was extremely important and without their presence both at the front and at home the death rate of Australian soldiers would have been much higher. Never before in a war were women expected to be at risk as much as the men. They should be acknowledged along with the men who served. World War ll used many more ways to harm people. World War ll involved nuclear power and warfare, genocide, submarines, tanks and was fought in many places/country’s including air, land and the ocean. 1

First and foremost, the Anzac Spirit is about the remembrance of the sacrifices made by men and women who have and are still serving in the military.

The Anzac legend is an important aspect of our identity as a New Zealander. We have every reason to be proud of this historical event. In saying this, many New Zealanders died for us (as New Zealanders) and for our country, in order to give us a chance for a good life and be able to make a success of it. This essay will examine reasons of the Anzac legend and how it has been incorporated into the New Zealand identity. One aspect that this legend evaluates its place in our national identity is our pride. Our pride is shown immensely through the Anzac services that are both commemorated here in New Zealand as well as Gallipoli. We as New Zealanders are so proud that even though we did not succeed in the battle of Gallipoli, we made an effort to fight as brothers in arms until the very end. We acknowledge this proud moment in our history as that is how people recognise and identify us as New Zealanders. Another aspect that made our identity incorporated with the Anzac legend was our Ingenuity that we as New Zealanders were and are still well known for. The other point that makes our identity unique with the Anzac legend was the bonding with our fellow comrades, such as the Australians (as the corps was known as the Australian New Zealand Army Corps). New Zealand has had a long and positive relations with our neighbour Australia, especially during the time of the Gallipoli war. The bonding with the Australians was very important during this battle as they had to rely on each

The Gallipoli campaign was described as the baptism of the newly federated Australia, and a chance for Australian soldiers to prove themselves to the world. They were not ultimately victorious, but the soldiers came to represent the character traits of the new country: fit and healthy, duty bound and courageous, good humored and egalitarian. The ANZAC image allowed Australians to both demonstrate loyalty to Britain, and claim an identity of their own. There is much to challenge the factual accuracy of the ANZAC image.

World War 1 (1914-1918) was the first official war that Australians took part in, only thirteen years after federating as a country in 1901. During this time, thousands of lives were lost, families were torn apart, and friends were never seen again. April 25th became the national day to commemorate the ANZAC soldiers who had served overseas. Even now, 100 years later, people still remember those who sacrificed themselves for Australia, those who fought and fell in many battles to protect the country they lived in. The Gallipoli Campaign is the most famous battle of World War 1, the battle that every Australian household knows about. However, other battles such as the ones on the

World War One is regarded as a major turning point in history and modern warfare which has impacted Australia monumentally, scarring the nation’s history. Australia played a significant role in World War One and the Gallipoli campaign, which is considered the birthplace of the ANZAC legend. These events have immensely shaped Australia as the nation we know of today. World War One began in 1914 from the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and ended in 1918 on November the 11th which is now recognised as a day of mourning and a time given recognition to the lives taken on the battlefield. To a prominent extent, the ANZAC legend is significant to the concept of Australian identity and nationalism through the origins of the ANZAC legend, the key events that have helped form Australia as an independent nation, and in addition to how ANZAC day is commemorated today.

Let us acknowledge that we shall forever be in the debt of the ANZACs who unhesitatingly stepped forward to face the enemy, risking life and limb so that we could enjoy a life of freedom, our heads held high.

‘A massive increase in the popularity and national significance of ANZAC Day’ (Source 1), grew throughout the twenty-first century. Since the landing of Gallipoli, it has been celebrated and as it continued, it quickly adapted to the cultural change of the media and technology which further improved the growth of its popularity. This day joins all Australians as one, in celebration to show their respect, compassion and pride for those people who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Damian Morgan conveyed the change in society, but also the well-kept, treasured ANZAC Spirit.

Yet, the amount of emphasis that is placed on the Anzac legend could be argued to be incorrectly placed and channelled by certain groups for their own gain. This essay will argue that the Anzac legacy of the Australians being the perfect soldier is highly embellished and are no more remarkable than any other soldier. Furthermore the importance and Australia’s involvement in the First World War has been grossly inflated. Additionally, this will analyse claims made by historians and other academics about how the Anzac legend has changed overtime, and Australia’s involvement in wars.

Australian had only just become a federated country when war broke out and the British command had asked for the Australian and New Zealanders to join them their military, this was Australia’s first war as an independant country. At the time Australia’s government saw this as a chance to show the world that they weren’t just a nation descended from convicts and deserved a place in Britain’s great military tradition (Darlington, 2012; wiliam, 2017). The Anzacs (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) were then established, with approximately 500 000 Australian men enlisted thinking they would be home by Christmas, 40% of these men were aged between 18 and 45 (Macmillan, 2012), more than 60,000 of

World War 1 war correspondent and historian Charles Edwin Woodrow Bean believed that Anzac Day 1915 saw the birth of the Australian national consciousness maintaining that "The big thing in the war...was the discovery of the character of Australian men. It was a character which rushed the hills at Gallipoli and held on there during the long afternoon and night, when everything seemed to have gone wrong and there was only the barest hope at the end of success". Gallipoli also saw the birth of the 'Anzac Legend' or 'Anzac Spirit'. A term used to illustrate the characteristics of ANZAC soldiers which encompassed bravery, endurance, ingenuity, comradeship and what Australians call 'mateship'. The term developed as a central part of Australia's collective memory and national identity growing popular largely due to Bean's works.

These female nurses provided medical help for the wounded soldiers at Gallipoli and also on the Western Front. As most of the hospital stations were near the front line many nurses were exposed to aerial bombs and shelling. They were expected to work in primitive conditions; some hospitals were equipped for a mere 520 people yet held 2500 during the wartime. As a result of the long hours and poor conditions many nurses suffered serious illnesses. A total of 2139 Australian nurses served overseas and of these 25 died. Through enduring such adverse conditions nurses proved extreme dedication towards the war effort and their country.

The ANZACS displayed admirable feats of bravery during WW1 before, during and after their charge on Gallipoli. ANZACs stood tall and unwavering in the face of adversity, facing gun fire, shelling and hunger in a land far from home with nothing but a sardonic smile and a pack of supplies on their backs. The fact that their struggles amounted to no military victory shows that even though they couldn’t see any progress during their struggles, they were motivated and brave enough to keep fighting for what they believed was right. Couple this with the words from The Australian War Memorial stating “The ANZAC’s rejected any unnecessary restrictions, possessed a sardonic sense of humour…contentious of danger and proved himself equal to anyone on the battlefield” (2017) and it is obvious how truly courageous the ANZAC soldiers were. Many soldiers

Firstly, Australian nurses made a huge impact in WWI by serving the Australian soldiers who fought for our country. They served in England, France, Belgium, Egypt, Palestine, India and Greece. 2139 Women served overseas but most if the nurses worked in military hospitals in Australia. On July 1, 1902, the Australian army nursing service was created. It was a backup unit which staffed by part-time, volunteer civilian nurses. They served in hospitals, hospital ships and hospitals made by tents with no floor. They helped and cared for 1000 men. They were even at the risk of getting contagious diseases from the soldiers. Even with all these devastating events happening, they still put smiles on their faces and comforted the soldiers. They said

Occurring on the 25th of April, ANZAC Day is the widely celebrated annual day of commemoration where we remember the soldiers that have fought in any war on behalf of Australia or New Zealand. Specifically, it commemorates the First World War, the first war that Australians fought in as a nation and the trench warfare at Gallipoli and the Western Front. It is an important day for many Australians especially those who fought and whose family fought in war. It is a day where thousands of Australian’s gather in their towns and cities, attend services and meet with family to remember the fallen, injured and all who gave effort in the wars of our country. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and to this day pride has been instilled