Is the ANZAC Legend the result of mythology and propaganda of is it based on fact?
Is the ANZAC Legend the result of mythology and propaganda or is it based on fact? The ANZAC Legend was formed by the Gallipoli campaign, mounted on the 25th of April 1915. This is a date well remembered by most Australians, but for what reasons? Do they think of “that guy with the donkey “or “ANZAC biscuits “or do they think: endurance, courage, resourcefulness, good humour, larrikinism, egalitarianism and of course, mateship. Words describing our soldiers that have been synonymous with the ANZAC Legend since its inception. There is absolutely no doubt the Australian soldiers were brave but the harsh truth of the tragic ANZAC campaign has been glossed over by mythology and propaganda. Is this disaster of failed military tactics and loss of thousands of brave men really something to glorify or was the legend just a way to cover up military errors, console grieving families and create propaganda to enlist more soldiers?
Due to a major military blunder, which landed the troops on the wrong beach, the proposed flat land assault to the Dardanelles was instead an impossible "uphill battle". "The soldiers found themselves in territory which was the complete opposite of what they had prepared for." "Thus making themselves easy targets for the Turks, who were quickly asserting their dominant position from high up in the cliffs." (Skwirk.com.au...) After the first day alone the troops had suffered 2 300 casualties and covered only 900 metres. Despite this they obediently stuck to their orders and held their ground. These facts prove that the landing in ANZAC cove was a disaster and the only way for the military to keep face was to eulogize the story, making people believe it was all heroic in the name of war...
The gallant efforts of the ANZAC troops were glorified and used as propaganda to encourage more men and women to enlist in the war. Source 1 shows that between 1915 and 1916 the number of enlistments grew from 97 328 to 140 015. These figures show a
Due to a major military blunder, which landed the troops on the wrong beach, the proposed flat land assault to the Dardanelles was instead an impossible "uphill battle". "The soldiers found themselves in territory which was the complete opposite of what they had prepared for." "Thus making themselves easy targets for the Turks, who were quickly asserting their dominant position from high up in the cliffs." (Skwirk.com.au...) After the first day alone the troops had suffered 2 300 casualties and covered only 900 metres. Despite this they obediently stuck to their orders and held their ground. These facts prove that the landing in ANZAC cove was a disaster and the only way for the military to keep face was to eulogize the story, making people believe it was all heroic in the name of war...
The gallant efforts of the ANZAC troops were glorified and used as propaganda to encourage more men and women to enlist in the war. Source 1 shows that between 1915 and 1916 the number of enlistments grew from 97 328 to 140 015. These figures show a