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ANZAC Day

M

melon

Guest
Today, 25th April 2007, marks the 92nd anniversary of the Gallipoli beach landing and is the day we pay our respects to the diggers who fought for our freedom.

On the morning of Feburary 19th 1915, Australian and New Zealand army corps infantries landed and fought what is regarded by many as the most brutal battle ever undertaken by these two countries. The fighting ceased on January 9th 1915.

Please read about this historically important event.
http://www.anzacsite.gov.au/
http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-battle...c/gallipoli.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Gallipoli

LEST WE FORGET...
 
And we never will, well I won't anyway.

ANZAC day is not only to remember those that have fought to give us our today in the first world war but in all in conflicts that Australians and New Zealanders have fought together.

World War One, Two, Korea and Vietnam.
Anyone intersted in learning what these forces have done for each other might want to have a look on the web for referances of 42nd Street in Crete (WW2), the break out of Tobruk (WW2) and the Battle of Long Tan in Vietnam.

An excelant song to come out of Australia re Vietnam is 'Only 19' from a band most people have never heard of call Redgum.

Sorry about the copyright...

I WAS ONLY NINETEEN
Mum and Dad and Denny saw the passing out parade at Puckapunyal
(it was long march from cadets).
The sixth battalion was the next to tour and It was me who drew the card.
We did Canungra and Shoalwater before we left.

Chorus 1:
And Townsville lined the footpath as we marched down to the quay.
This clipping from the paper shows us young and strong and clean.
And there's me in my slouch hat with my SLR and greens.
God help me, I was only nineteen.

From Vung Tau riding Chinooks to the dust at Nui Dat,
I'd been in and out of choppers now for months.
But we made our tents a home. V.B. and pinups on the lockers,
And an Asian orange sunset through the scrub.

Chorus 2:
And can you tell me, doctor, why I still can't get to sleep?
And night time's just a jungle dark and a barking M.16?
And what's this rash that comes and goes, can you tell me what it means?
God help me, I was only nineteen.

A four week operation, when each step can mean your last one
On two legs: it was a war within yourself.
But you wouldn't let your mates down 'til they had you dusted off,
So you closed your eyes and thought about something else.

Chorus 3:
Then someone yelled out "Contact"', and the bloke behind me swore.
We hooked in there for hours, then a God almighty roar.
Frankie kicked a mine the day that mankind kicked the moon.
God help me, he was going home in June.

I can still see Frankie, drinking tinnies in the Grand Hotel
On a thirty-six hour rec. leave in Vung Tau.
And I can still hear Frankie, lying screaming in the jungle.
'Till the morphine came and killed the bloody row

Chorus 4:
And the Anzac legends didn't mention mud and blood and tears.
And stories that my father told me never seemed quite real
I caught some pieces In my back that I didn't even feel.
God help me, I was only nineteen.

Chorus 5:
And can you tell me, doctor, why I still can't get to sleep?
And why the Channel Seven chopper chills me to my feet?
And what's this rash that comes and goes, can you tell me what it means?
God help me, I was only nineteen.
 
Lest we forget! It is very nice that today Turkey has an excellent relationship with the UK & Commonwealth nations, shows the amount of respect and friendship that has blossomed since we so sadly traded blows all those years ago. It would excellent if Turkey developed a top class Rugby team, the amount of respect they would get if they toured England, Australia & New Zealand would be immense.

Does anyone have the photo of the ANZACS playing Cricket in Gallipoli? Because as an amateur photographer, I'd put that as in my top ten photos of all time.
 

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