herakles
25-04-2008, 06:08
This morning I had the privilege of participating in two ANZAC Day Dawn Services, at Gallipoli and in France. By means of my satellite connection.
Gallipoli
This is held at ANZAC Cove by the sea. Around 10,000 people attend this service each year, mostly Australians. Representatives of all the countries involved were present. Britain was represented by the First Sea Lord. The catafalque party consisted of men from each of the Australian armed services and one from New Zealand.
During the service, Mustafa Kemal's magnificent words were spoken by a Turkish officer in Turkish then by another Turkish officer in English:
"Those heroes that shed their blood
and lost their lives...
You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country,
therefore rest in peace.
There is no difference between the Jonnies
and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side.
Here in this country of ours...
You, the mothers,
who sent their sons from far away countries
wipe away your tears.
Your sons are now lying in our bosom
and are in peace.
After having lost their lives on this land they have
become our sons as well."
Mustafa Kemal ATATURK
ANZAC Memorial, 1934.
In an address, Mr Fitzgibbon (Defence Minister of Australia) said Australians stood in awe of the commitment and courage exhibited by the diggers as well as their enemy, the Turks, who were defending their homeland.
"Here they fought a brutal and ugly war, remembered as much as anything for the strategic mistakes of its leaders and the high human costs of victories and defeats alike," Mr Fitzgibbon said.
"They were doing something they really believed in, fighting for king and for country or in defence of their homeland."
After the wreath laying ceremony, the National anthems of Turkey, New Zealand and Australia were sung. The Turkish in Turkish, the New Zealand in Maori then English.
As an aside, it's interesting to reflect that Australia and Turkey fought side by side in Korea.
France
This service was at Villers-Bretonneux which is near to Amiens. Here is the main Australian war memorial in France, opened by the King in 1938.
On 24 April 1918, the Germans stormed into Villers-Bretonneux and pushed out the exhausted British troops. This town was crucial as the vital rail terminus at Amiens and the Channel Ports are nearby. At 10 pm that day, the Australians stormed the town, driving the Germans out and stopping their push to the west forever. It was a huge turning point in WW1. The town was completely destroyed. Australia suffered a great many casualties.
After the war, the people of Villers-Bretonneux swore to maintain the memory of the capturing of their town by honouring Australia in any way they could.
"Soldiers of Australia, whose brothers lie here in French soil, be assured that your memory will always be kept alive, and that the burial places of your dead will always be respected and cared for." Mayor of Villers-Bretonneux, July 14, 1919.
The Primary school, re-built with money collected by Victorian school children, has a large sign in the school yard that says: Never Forget Australia. And on the portal at the entrance to the school is a sign that says: Nublions jamais Australie
The service this morning marked the 90th anniversary of the battle. The speech, given by the Australian Ambassador to France, was given in both French and English. Wreath laying was accompanied by a dirge from a solitary piper. Britain's wreath was laid by a senior officer of the Royal Navy.
The service ended with the National Anthems of France and Australia sung by a female Australian soldier. She sang the French one in French.
They shall grow not old
As we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
Lest We Forget.
God Save The Queen.
Gallipoli
This is held at ANZAC Cove by the sea. Around 10,000 people attend this service each year, mostly Australians. Representatives of all the countries involved were present. Britain was represented by the First Sea Lord. The catafalque party consisted of men from each of the Australian armed services and one from New Zealand.
During the service, Mustafa Kemal's magnificent words were spoken by a Turkish officer in Turkish then by another Turkish officer in English:
"Those heroes that shed their blood
and lost their lives...
You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country,
therefore rest in peace.
There is no difference between the Jonnies
and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side.
Here in this country of ours...
You, the mothers,
who sent their sons from far away countries
wipe away your tears.
Your sons are now lying in our bosom
and are in peace.
After having lost their lives on this land they have
become our sons as well."
Mustafa Kemal ATATURK
ANZAC Memorial, 1934.
In an address, Mr Fitzgibbon (Defence Minister of Australia) said Australians stood in awe of the commitment and courage exhibited by the diggers as well as their enemy, the Turks, who were defending their homeland.
"Here they fought a brutal and ugly war, remembered as much as anything for the strategic mistakes of its leaders and the high human costs of victories and defeats alike," Mr Fitzgibbon said.
"They were doing something they really believed in, fighting for king and for country or in defence of their homeland."
After the wreath laying ceremony, the National anthems of Turkey, New Zealand and Australia were sung. The Turkish in Turkish, the New Zealand in Maori then English.
As an aside, it's interesting to reflect that Australia and Turkey fought side by side in Korea.
France
This service was at Villers-Bretonneux which is near to Amiens. Here is the main Australian war memorial in France, opened by the King in 1938.
On 24 April 1918, the Germans stormed into Villers-Bretonneux and pushed out the exhausted British troops. This town was crucial as the vital rail terminus at Amiens and the Channel Ports are nearby. At 10 pm that day, the Australians stormed the town, driving the Germans out and stopping their push to the west forever. It was a huge turning point in WW1. The town was completely destroyed. Australia suffered a great many casualties.
After the war, the people of Villers-Bretonneux swore to maintain the memory of the capturing of their town by honouring Australia in any way they could.
"Soldiers of Australia, whose brothers lie here in French soil, be assured that your memory will always be kept alive, and that the burial places of your dead will always be respected and cared for." Mayor of Villers-Bretonneux, July 14, 1919.
The Primary school, re-built with money collected by Victorian school children, has a large sign in the school yard that says: Never Forget Australia. And on the portal at the entrance to the school is a sign that says: Nublions jamais Australie
The service this morning marked the 90th anniversary of the battle. The speech, given by the Australian Ambassador to France, was given in both French and English. Wreath laying was accompanied by a dirge from a solitary piper. Britain's wreath was laid by a senior officer of the Royal Navy.
The service ended with the National Anthems of France and Australia sung by a female Australian soldier. She sang the French one in French.
They shall grow not old
As we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
Lest We Forget.
God Save The Queen.