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The ANZAC Legend
Legend and myth
Historians examining the importance of Anzac to Australia coined the phrase “Anzac legend” (or, more critically, “Anzac myth”), referring to the representation of Australians in war: how they think, speak, and write of their war experience
Legend and myth
Historians examining the importance of Anzac to Australia coined the phrase “Anzac legend” (or, more critically, “Anzac myth”), referring to the representation of Australians in war: how they think, speak, and write of their war experience
(which is not always the same as how they experienced it).
Though aspects of the legend have been criticised, there is general consensus on what is regarded as the “Anzac spirit”. Anzac came to stand for the positive qualities which Australians and New Zealanders have seen
Though aspects of the legend have been criticised, there is general consensus on what is regarded as the “Anzac spirit”. Anzac came to stand for the positive qualities which Australians and New Zealanders have seen
their forces show in war. These qualities are generally accepted to include endurance, courage, ingenuity, good humour, and mateship.
Perhaps the best (and most widely misquoted) reflection of the meaning of Anzac is to be found in Charles Bean’s Anzac to Amiens.
Perhaps the best (and most widely misquoted) reflection of the meaning of Anzac is to be found in Charles Bean’s Anzac to Amiens.
In describing the evacuation of the Anzac Cove area, Bean wrote:
"By dawn on December 20th Anzac had faded into a dim blue line lost amid other hills on the horizon as the ships took their human freight to Imbros, Lemnos and Egypt.
"By dawn on December 20th Anzac had faded into a dim blue line lost amid other hills on the horizon as the ships took their human freight to Imbros, Lemnos and Egypt.
But Anzac stood, and still stands, for reckless valour in a good cause, for enterprise, resourcefulness, fidelity, comradeship, and endurance that will never own defeat."
More recently, Arthur Bourke OAM pointed out that the spirit of Anzac is not confined to the battlefield,
More recently, Arthur Bourke OAM pointed out that the spirit of Anzac is not confined to the battlefield,
nor is it something that can be seen. He described the spirit of Anzac as:
"a powerful driving sensation that can only be felt. It is a feeling that burns in the heart of every Australian and New Zealand countryman. A warm, tender, fiery, even melancholy ideal that
"a powerful driving sensation that can only be felt. It is a feeling that burns in the heart of every Australian and New Zealand countryman. A warm, tender, fiery, even melancholy ideal that
nurtures intense patriotism in the innermost soul of every body."
The Returned and Services League of Australia (WA Branch) suggests that the spirit of Anzac is still seen today in times of crisis or hardship. During cyclones, floods, and bushfires, Australians come together
The Returned and Services League of Australia (WA Branch) suggests that the spirit of Anzac is still seen today in times of crisis or hardship. During cyclones, floods, and bushfires, Australians come together
“to rescue one another, to ease suffering, to provide food and shelter, to look after one another, and to let the victims of these disasters know they are not alone”.
Thanks to AWM
Thanks to AWM
