ANZAC
DAY
25th Apr is a Red letter day in the history of Australia and New Zealand and celebrated as their national ‘Remembrance Day’. On this Day the first landings of forces at Gallipoli were affected, that led to major casualties for Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. The acronym ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, whose soldiers were known as Anzacs. Today they observe this day in remembrance of all those "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served". In Australia and NZ on this Day, Dawn services and commemorative marches are held and Veterans honoured.
The Gallipoli peninsula is located in the southern part of East Thrace, the European part of Turkey, with the Aegean Sea to the west and the Dardanelles strait to the east. Gallipoli is the Italian form of the Greek name meaning "Beautiful City", the original name of the modern town of Gelibolu.
Up to 15,000 Indians fought with allied troops at Gallipoli, but their contribution remains relatively unknown and unrecognised in Australia and their homeland, research has found. We Indians are ignorant about Gallipoli as a campaign of World War I, as the historical facts have not been passed down to us due to the turmoil of freedom struggle. Many of the Indians who fought at Gallipoli were from Punjab, but few records remain about their contribution to the war effort there.
Photographs and sketches from the time show Indian and
Australian soldiers spending time together — sometimes sharing food rations. "You
would find Anzacs coming and sharing the Indian soldiers' rations because their
roti and daal was far more palatable than the salted bully beef and
biscuits" said retired IAF Veteran and historian WingCdr Rana Chhina.
"The
relationship between the Indians and the Australians and New Zealanders was
actually very good, by all accounts. The Anzacs recognised that the Indians were
professional soldiers. They developed a very healthy respect for them."
Mr
Chhina said there was some evidence that friendships were formed on the
battlefield between soldiers from the two countries. There are also various
Australian and New Zealand accounts — in soldiers' diaries or in photographs
that they've sent back home — where they refer to 'my Indian friend' or 'my
Gurkha friend'," he said.
The Mule Corps were the unsung heroes of
Gallipoli. If it hadn't been for them, the Anzacs and the rest wouldn't have
been able to hold on in the manner that they did. Historians
say the Mule Corps established themselves in an area known as Mule Gully, which
came under constant sniper and machine gun fire during the day. As a result,
most transports took place at night. (Pic below)
We Indians celebrate our Remembrance Days on 15 Aug and 26 Jan
every year and pay respects to our Martyrs of all wars and our freedom
fighters. Recently the War memorial dedicated to the Nation at New Delhi honours one family of
a martyr every day at the War Memorial.
The Armed Forces have started honouring our Veterans on 14 Jan every year,
for the past three years and initiated by Cdr Vadhera, President NFMC celebrated the Veterans Day with pride this year, with first-ever Veterans Day Parade at Marine Drive on Sun 12 Jan 2020.
Click the Link below for a detailed account.
The Mule Corps were the unsung heroes of Gallipoli. If it hadn't been for them, the Anzacs and the rest wouldn't have been able to hold on in the manner that they did. Historians say the Mule Corps established themselves in an area known as Mule Gully, which came under constant sniper and machine gun fire during the day. As a result, most transports took place at night. (Pic below)
Click the Link below for a detailed account.
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