ANZAC Day

And so it happens in all the corners of the earth. Thanks Owen

 

Great tribute Owen - Had not seen that before however I have been told that the young Aussies were treated royally during their time there.

Cheers

Geoff

 

I should have been in Tunisia for the most recent ANZAC day but the Ash Cloud stopped me (I was invited by the Italians). It so happens that I was there two years ago on ANZAC day and went to the main CWGC Enfidaville site where many Kiwis are buried (they fought just up the road at Takrouna in April 1943 which was Monty's last set-piece battle in North Africa - he lost) - it was a shame, I think, that I was the only visitor that day.

There is no NZ memorial at Takrouna but there is an Italian one to the Folgore Parachutists who stopped Monty. They had a ceremony there on 25th April this year led by the Italian Defence Attache. They always invite the British Defence Attache to their annual ceremony but he never goes(there is no Oz or NZ Attache in Tunis). This year the Italians laid a wreath to the Kiwis at the cemetery which I think was very gracious of them.

 

Today was also ANZAC Day in Berlin.
There was a large crowd that attended the Memorial Service and which started at 1030 hrs, at the Berlin war Cemetery on Heerstraße, Berlin-Charlottenburg.

The NZ Embassy arranged the proceedings this year and next year it will be the turn of the Australian Embassy.

The weather remained glorious and sunny and so it was a sombre but very nice service with the Reverend Max Homewood (RBL Berlin Member) officiating.

Music was provided by the Luftwaffen Musikkorps.

The ceremony lasted approximately one hour and after which I was fortunate enough to be invited back to the Embassadors residence in Grünewald, Berlin for a reception.

I have scanned and posted the ANZAC Day Service notes and I found item 5, which was read out by the Turkish Ambasador, H.E. Ahmet Acet, to be particularly noteworthy.

It was written by Kemal Atatürk in 1934.

Regards
Tom
It now seems that the 4th crewmember did not die, but is serious but stable in hospital. Sorry for any confusion.

Get well soon!

 

Jean,

Thank you for the update.

Let us all hope that there is a full frecovery from the injuries sustained.

Regards
Tom

 

Australia Remembers

This is the third coin in what has become an admired and cherished coin series.
In 2011 we recognise Australian war historians that, over the years, shaped our perception of conflict via unbiased and independent documenting and recording in perilous conditions. Well known correspondents include Banjo Patterson during the Boer War and Australia’s most noted war correspondents, C.E.W. Bean, chronicler of Gallipoli and founder of the Australian War Memorial and Damien Parer, who captured memorable images from the Kokoda track. They, and the many since, have exemplified bravery and integrity to report on each Australian campaign and ensure 'Australia Remembers'.
The reverse design of this $1 coin is based on an image from the Australian War Memorial depicting an Australian official photographer, standing with tripod and camera on a British Mark V tank recording the advance of Australian troops through the Hindenburg line during World War I.

 

What a fab idea!

 

This year’s posters focus on two special commemorative anniversaries. 2011 marks the 70th anniversaries of the Siege of Tobruk and the Battle for Greece and Crete.



The poster commemorating the Siege of Tobruk features an image of men of the Australian forces at the edge of the harbour with oil tanks burning in the background. With the Italian defences penetrated, the troops secured the town and forced the surrender of the Italians.



The poster commemorating the Battle for Greece and Crete features an image of four Australian soldiers at the Acropolis while on leave in Athens. The soldiers arrived in Greece in time to see some of the sights before joining the people of Greece and Crete in the fight for their country.

 

Anzac Day school tributes mandatory

• Greg Kelton, State Editor
• From: The Advertiser
• March 28, 2011 12:00AM

Independent MP Bob Such will move a motion in Parliament which will make Anzac Day commemorations mandatory for all SA public schools. Pictured is the Anzac Day march last year in Adelaide. Source: The Advertiser



MANDATORY commemoration of Anzac Day is set to be introduced for all state schools.

A motion in Parliament will call for the move, and Education Minister Jay Weatherill said the Government will support the motion by independent MP Bob Such, which virtually ensures it will take effect.
Dr Such yesterday said it was currently not mandatory for either public or private schools to observe Anzac Day.
His motion calls for schools to commemorate our servicemen and women.
Dr Such said it was important for all Australian children to understand what happened at Gallipoli in 1915, and the sacrifice and suffering of Australian men and women throughout the nation's conflicts from the Boer War, which began in 1899, until the present time with Australia's presence in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"More than 60,000 Australians were killed and 155,000 were injured during World War I," Dr Such said.
"Of these, more than 8000 young Australian and New Zealand men were killed in the disastrous battles at Gallipoli.
"The tragedy of Gallipoli and its history has not, and must not, diminish with the years."
Dr Such said the courage, endurance, resourcefulness and loyalty of those Anzacs became an inspiration to our young nation.
"Anzac Day and Remembrance Day are solemn reminders of the debt of honour owed to the men and women who have given their lives in the service of their country," Dr Such said.
"It is a debt which can never be repaid and must never be forgotten."
Dr Such said his move was not meant to glorify war, only to acknowledge those who had died or suffered as a result of war.
Mr Weatherill said while the Government supported the move he often found schools were usually at the forefront of renewed interest in the day.
"I'm not aware of any public schools that don't observe Anzac Day," he said.
Anzac Day usually was observed during the school holidays, but the Department of Education has asked public schools to hold lessons and conduct activities in the lead-up to the day itself, Mr Weatherill said.

 

Mod's

Could we change the title to ANZAC Day 2011 to expand the thread

 

Have to put this on the calendar for ANZAC Day 2012

 

Anzac Day anniversary tour to Tobruk canned

• Mark Day
• From: The Australian
• March 04, 2011 5:39AM

THE ripples from the anti-Gaddafi uprising in Libya have reached Australia with the cancellation of a tour to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the battle of Tobruk.

The tour, organised by Military History Tours and supported by The Australian, was abandoned yesterday on the advice of Egyptian tour operators, who told MHT chief Paul Murphy the situation in Egypt was stable, but there was no possibility of the Libyan section going ahead.
The tour by 45 descendants of the Rats of Tobruk was planned to start on April 23 and was to have included the first Anzac Day dawn service to be held at the Tobruk war cemetery. A visit to Benghazi was also planned.
Seventy years ago, Australian troops held off attacks by German general Erwin Rommel's Afrika Corps and withstood a siege until December 1941. Their actions denied Rommel's use of Tobruk harbour for supplies and led to his defeat at El Alamein in 1942.
"Some of our customers have decided to go next year; others are switching to our Anzac tour of Greece and Crete, and we are advising the remainder to consult their travel insurance brokers," Mr Murphy said.
"As we understand it, cancellations from civil unrest are covered, but may not extend to acts or war or revolution."


Also: travel: Valor Tours- battlesite expeditions tours - worldwide -tour descriptions



CANCELLED TOBRUK BATTLEFIELD TOUR AND ROMAN LIBYA
September 10 to 22, 2011.

 

A shame but understandable.....

 

Unibic commemorates Anzac Day with limited edition biscuits


Australian manufacturer of bakery foods, Unibic, will be releasing two new limited edition Anzac biscuits up to the lead up of Anzac Day.
The limited edition biscuits have been launched to commemorate 100 years of the Royal Australian Navy and the Siege of Tobruk.
Unibic’s Anzac biscuits are the only Anzac biscuits on the market endorsed by the Returned and Services League (RSL) of Australia. Four per cent of sales from every packet and tin will go directly to the RSL, supporting war veterans, their families and local communities.
RSL National Secretary, Derek Robson, said: “The freedom and lifestyle we enjoy today is a result of the sacrifices of the men and women who showed incredible courage, mateship and determination to protect our ideals and way of life.
“One hundred years is a huge milestone for The Royal Australian Navy, and the Australian defenders of Tobruk demonstrated immense determination and courage in the face of the most intensive dive-bombing barrages in martial history,” Robson said.
Unibic has so far raised over $2 million for the RSL.
“The partnership between the RSL and Unibic is special, as it not only helps return the Anzac biscuit to its origins of fundraising for veterans, but it provides resources for us to educate younger generations about the significant aspects of Anzac history,” Robson said.


http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSTv-oKYqLBksFOBij_BJw7Nfo9DtUc9xURg5Z29IYq4ext8hwhhttp://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTrb-ZKtwEOVzfuTFoQyenOscfK_vnmnNBFSrEz4m6iyUx41ktM

 

This football game are the players Aussie or Vietmanese (one (1) word), Viet Nam (two (2) words.
When I was at school ANZAC Day was a holiday. I agree it should be compulsory for a small flag raising and minutes of silence also the teachers should show Videos about Australian troops and what they did in their part of the various wars or get historians or Vets to speak to the children. This should happen at all schools including the ones were they are specialised for only teaching peoples from certain national/religous back grounds as they are Australian as well.

Also what about the 70th anniversary of Lebanon/Syria.

 

This football game are the players Aussie or Vietmanese (one (1) word), Viet Nam (two (2) words.

Also what about the 70th anniversary of Lebanon/Syria.

The players are ex-pat Aussies, a friend of mine has a bar in Vung Tau.

I'm afraid Tobruk overshadows Lebanon/Syria during the same period, although both Cpl James Gordon 2/31 AIF Inf Batt and Lt Roden Cutler 2/5 Aust Fld Reg won the V.C (Lt Cutler also lost his leg due to injury in the action) during the campaign.

 

Unibic commemorates Anzac Day with limited edition biscuits

Got Tobruk 1941 biscuits today

 

US pays homage to Anzacs
18:37 AEST Sat Apr 23 2011
2 hours 51 minutes ago

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has paid homage to the "courage" of Australians and New Zealanders, ahead of Anzac Day.
In a message sent on behalf of President Obama on Friday, Ms Clinton - who visited Melbourne, Christchurch and Wellington late last year - honoured the Anzac spirit.
"During my trip last year to Australia and New Zealand, I saw firsthand the courage of your two nations as you continue to meet adversity with determination and resilience," she said.
"As we salute the Anzac spirit and celebrate its foundation, we are reminded of the strength of your countries and we honor those who fight for peace, progress and prosperity around the world."
She said her country's thoughts were with all serving Australian and New Zealand soldiers, those who had served, and those who had lost their lives while fighting for their country.
"The United States is your partner and we will continue to stand with you in support of freedom and democracy around the world," she said.
"As the Ode of Remembrance says, 'At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them'."
Ms Clinton was in Melbourne in November, as part of a two-week, six-nation Asia-Pacific tour.
Her visit to New Zealand included inspecting and assessing damage from September's earthquake in Christchurch.

Australian and World News - Main Stories - ninemsn News

 

Refugee Anzac protest inappropriate: Swan

14:31 AEST Sat Apr 23 2011
7 hours 2 minutes ago

A rally outside Sydney's Villawood Detention Centre on Anzac Day in support of protesting detainees would be inappropriate, Acting Prime Minister Wayne Swan says.

The Refugee Rights Action Network is planning a demonstration on Monday outside the detention centre where four people are still protesting on the roof after riots in which nine buildings were destroyed earlier this week.
Mr Swan said the rioters' actions could not be defended and the rally would be inappropriate.
"I don't think that's necessarily appropriate at all. There has been unacceptable behaviour by people inside the facility," he told reporters in Cairns on Saturday.
"We cannot, in any way, condone the sorts of acts and behaviour we have seen at that facility in recent days."
Mr Swan refused to be drawn on the police's decision to deny food to the four protesters still on the centre's roof.
"I think the authorities should take every responsible course of action to remove people from those positions. That is entirely a matter for the law enforcement officials."
Federal police have removed 22 detainees believed to have been involved in Wednesday night's fiery riot and Mr Swan on Friday promised those involved would "feel the full force of the law".
However, he has ruled out making any changes to Australia's immigration detention policies until after an inquiry is completed into the Villawood riots and a similar incident at the Christmas Island detention centre last month.

 

Anzac day commemoration in Ambon yet to be reinstated

Tue, April 19 2011 17:11
Ambon, Maluku (ANTARA News)

The commemoration to mark the anniversary of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) military action in the second World War in Ambon this yeas has yet to be reinstated.

Ambon Mayor Jopi Papilaja said here on Tuesday that the ANZAC Day commemoration in Ambon, Maluku, has yet to be reinstated this year because of technical considerations.

He said the technical considerations from various elements in the province had been conveyed to the Australian Embassy in Jakarta and to the government of Australia`s Northern Territorial city of Darwin as Ambon`s sister city.

"The Ambon city government in principle has facilitated the intention of the Australian government and other Commonwealth countries to observe the ANZAC Day in Ambon but because of technical considerations, it has yet to be reinstated," Papilaja said.

When war broke out in 1914, Australia had been a Federal Commonwealth for thirteen years.

In 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of an Allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula, under a plan by Winston Churchill to open the way to the Black Sea for the Allied navies.

The objective was to capture Istanbul, capital of the Ottoman Empire, an ally of Germany.

The ANZAC force landed at Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Turkish Army commanded by Mustafa Kemal, later known as Ataturk.

At Kapahaha Commowealth Memorial Park in Srimau sub-district, Ambon, there are tombs of 1,092 Australian soldiers, 810 British soldiers, 186 Dutch soldiers 30 Indian soldiers, 2 Canadian soldiers, one New Zealand soldier, one South African soldier but 15 others are unknown.

The Commonwealth War Commission also erected Ambon Monument in the memorial park as the remembrance of 289 Australian soldiers and 171 aviators who were killed during the second world war in Maluku, Sulawesi, and other surrounding islands.
(Uu.O001/HAJM)Editor: Priyambodo RH

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The Tantui War Cemetery Memorial which was destroyed during the conflict 1999 -2004