Quote:
Originally posted by Mr Mephisto
The Gallipoli Myth
Let me get some things clear, before proceeding.
1) I live in Australia and love this country.
2) I married an Australian and once the country becomes a republic with an elected President, rather than Queen Elizabeth, as head of state, I shall gladly adopt Australian citizenship.
3) I lost three great-uncles in the First World War (obviously before I was born, but you know what I mean).
Mr Mephisto
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Your second point is interesting.
It is indeed a special place that can accomodate people that want the benefits but can't accept the wish of the people.
I take it that you have a dislike to the concept of a constitutional monarchy?
I'm not that fussed with it either,but the "Republican" movement can gloat all they like at their efforts to wear down our aging and indeed very proud population.
Cop the tip.
We will become a republic one day,but the timeline is for the people to decide at their own pace and not by way of the constant hammering of the republican movement.
With regards to your third point it is a very proud history for you and something to cherish.
My father went to Darwin and served with the "Ack Ack" directly after the first wave of Japanese bombings in WW2 and his diary that I still have with me indicates a very different picture of how many bombing raids were unleashed on the top end and how close we really came to being invaded.
It will remain with me as something that I choose not to pursue at this time.
Quote:
Originally posted by Mr Mephisto
The Gallipoli Myth
Australia, and to a lesser degree New Zealand, has built the whole Gallipoli myth up to dizzying heights. For example, how many Aussies here know that the British lost approximately FIVE TIMES as many troops as Australia? How many of you knew the French experienced an equal number of casualties as the Australians?
Mr Mephisto
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Alec Campbell was only 16 when he argued with his parents to allow him to enrol with the Anzacs.
The youngest (Australian) soldier to die at Gallipoli however was James Martin.
He was 14.
Like our soldiers,our Country was very young too.
At the time,by proportion,casualties were 65% of those who enlisted.
Now even if this is because they just didn't know any better or they were just (dare I say it) fodder,it says plenty about the courage shown by those that must have known that survival here was going to be very limited.
In other words,they just kept "doing the doing".
Quote:
Originally posted by Mr Mephisto
The Gallipoli Myth
I'm not knocking the so-called ANZAC Spirit (though, to be honest, Johnnie Howard has done a lot to damage it in my opinion), but I'm just a bit tired of hearing how Australia and NZ were butchered more than any other nation, or commanded by bungling British officers, or displayed more herorism than any other nation at that battle. It's simply not true.
History, and not histrionics, is what we should concentrate on.
Mr Mephisto
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And Mr Mephisto,I am not going to get into a slanging match with you on this subject and by no means is this a personal attack because I respect your opinion,but to truly understand about who we are as a nation and why we hold the ANZAC tradition to such lofty heights we must understand that a good number of those that served there were just children.
Other Countries involved have similar tales but the issue at hand is important to me.
May I suggest that you get your citizenship and vote for change.
History tells us that if you want it to happen then one must make it happen.