Anzacs

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Anzacs. The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps was raised at the beginning of the First World War. Australia, with a population of 5 million, raised 322,000 volunteers, of whom 60,000 lost their lives—one of the highest casualty rates. New Zealand, with 1.1 million people, raised 124,000 troops, of whom 17,000 died. They took a major part in the 1915 landings at Gallipoli, a plan imaginative in concept, disastrous in execution. The Anzac establishment of a bridgehead on 25 April was met by savage resistance from the Turks, stiffened by their German allies. Anzac cove was evacuated in December 1915 and most of the survivors moved to the Western Front. 25 April is commemorated as Anzac day.

J. A. Cannon

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