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26 Apr 2010 01:28 | anzac misc remembrance war

The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) was a World War I army corps that operated during the Battle of Gallipoli. General William Birdwood commanded the corps, which comprised troops from the First Australian Imperial Force and 1st New Zealand Expeditionary Force. The corps was disbanded in 1916 following the Allied evacuation of the Gallipoli peninsula and the formation of I Anzac Corps and II Anzac Corps1.

Formation

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A veteran on Anzac Day. Image taken from Wikipedia: Anzac Day


It was originally intended to name the corps the Australasian Army Corps, this title being used in the unit diary, following the common practice of the time, which often saw New Zealanders and Australians compete together as Australasia in sporting events. However, protests from New Zealand led adoption of the name Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The administration clerks found the title too cumbersome so quickly adopted the abbreviation A. & N.Z.A.C. or simply ANZAC. Shortly afterwards it was officially adopted as the codename for the corps but it did not enter common usage amongst the troops until after the Gallipoli landings.

Despite being synonymous with Australia and New Zealand, ANZAC was a multi-national body. In addition to the many British officers in the corps and division staffs, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps contained, at various points, the 7th Brigade of the Indian Mountain Artillery, Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps troops, the Zion Mule Corps, 4 battalions from the Royal Naval Division, the British 13th (Western) Division, one brigade of the British 10th (Irish) Division and the 29th Indian Infantry Brigade2.

Anzac Day

Every year on the 25th of April we remember those that have fallen not only in World War I and the Battle of Gallipoli, but also in wars since then, including current conflicts. It is a day of remembrance for our servicemen and servicewomen in the Army, Navy and the Air Force.

In 2010, the 26th of April is a national holiday because Anzac Day fell on a Sunday this year. While services were held at various times yesterday, today is also part of the Anzac Day remembrance.

“Lest We Forget.”

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Anzac Cove, Çanakkale, Gallipoli, Turkey. Image taken from darrenbark.com


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