What is the anzac day legend?

Answer 1

The ANZAC legend comprises the stories of incredible bravery, loyalty and mateship which helped the diggers survive the horrors of Gallipoli. The legend is made of the qualities that last, and qualities we wish we could always see enacted around us - selflessness, loyalty, etc. The ANZAC day legend isn't one specific thing. It is about the general courage of Australian and New Zealand forces who have fought in all the wars since WW1, but it originated with the Gallipoli campaign.

ANZAC means Australia and New Zealand Armed Corps. The original Anzacs were the soldiers who landed at Gallipoli on Turkish Aegean coast, on 25 April 1915. The legend is borne of the stories of their bravery, feats of endurance and mateship through a horrific time.

Of particular importance to Australians is the story of Simpson and his donkey. Simpson landed at Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915 and, from the first night, took a donkey (or possibly donkeys) that had been landed for one of the field artillery units, and began carrying wounded soldiers from the battle line to the beach for evacuation. Leading the donkey, which he variously named Duffy or Murphy, he began his journeys from the beach, up Shrapnel Gully and then Monash Valley. He carried water on his way and wounded on his way back. Simpson continued this for three and a half weeks, disregarding the danger until, on the morning of 19 May 1915, he was killed by Turkish machine gun fire near Steele's Post, as he was returning down Monash Valley with a wounded man. The donkey continued on the well-worn track, obediently carrying the wounded man to where he would be tended.

CEW Bean was the Australian official war correspondent, and later official war historian of the time. He landed with the ANZACs at Gallipoli, and his writings contributed significantly to the development and growth of the ANZAC legend. His detailed reports on the landing and subsequent battle/s provided a unique and personal perspective on the events.

The ANZAC legend is more of a feeling than anything else; based on Australia and New Zealand's battle at Gallipoli. It was the first time that the Australian and NZ army battled/encountered representing their own country, which put Australia (and NZ) on the map and gave them a new found sense of national identity. The ANZAC in gallipoli have been praised throughout the years as being, despite ill-disciplined, "gladiators with the eyes as children". This can be interpreted to mean that although the troops were strong and fit fighters physically, they were also childlike and careless. An important aspect to note is their strong ties and relationships with their fellow soldiers; they had the strongest sense of mateship in history. The ANZAC legend is something that all Australians can relate to, even today. Every year on April 25, we remember our ancestors that gave their lives at war. This act gives us a sense of nationalism and inspiration today.

Answer 2

The ANZAC day legend isn't one specific thing. It is about the general courage of Australian and New Zealand forces who have fought in all the wars since WW1.

Answer 3

Becasue these men did fight for our freedom