ANZAC  DAY

             25^th 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. NFMC has conducted and celebrated three Veterans Day Parade with pride since first-ever Veterans Day Parade on Marine Drive on Sun 12 Jan 2020. After the Covid pandemic, the Second and Third Veterans Day Parades were held in the past two years successfully with great pomp and show.

Click the Links below for a detailed account on the three Parades.

http://rajdutta26.blogspot.com/2020/01/maiden-indian-veterans-day-parade.html

https://rajdutta26.blogspot.com/2023/01/second-indian-veterans-day-parade-2023.html

https://rajdutta26.blogspot.com/2024/01/third-veterans-day-parade-202-4.html