Ceremonies around the world
Australians recognise the 25th of April as an occasion to commemorate the first nationally significant military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces at Gallipoli during WW1.
ANZAC Day 25 April 2008 marks the 93rd anniversary of the first nationally significant military action fought by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps in The Great War (World War One). About 9000 Australians died at Gallipoli, while another 18,000 were wounded.
While we have no remaining Australian veterans of the Gallipoli campaign still with us, Australians all around the world and across the nation gather on this special day to remember our fallen Service personnel with commemorative services held at dawn, the time of the original landing and 11am, the time of the signing of the Armistice bring an end to hostilities.
Gallipoli
To commemorate the 93nd anniversary of the Gallipoli landings in 1915, a number of events are taking place around the world, including Turkish and Australian commemorations at Gallipoli.
As part of the Australian Defence Force's commemorative activities, Australia's Federation Guard (AFG) will provide ceremonial guards for commemorative services on the 24th and 25th of April at key sites on the Gallipoli peninsular, including ANZAC Cove and Lone Pine.
A detachment of musicians from the Royal Australian Air Force will play at these services including ANZAC Cove Dawn Service and later that morning at Lone Pine, culminating in the playing of the "Last Post" at both ceremonies.
This year the Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd, AO will represent the Australian Defence Force by attending the ceremonies at Gallipoli.
Villers-Bretonneux, France
This year, an Australian Defence Force contingent from Australia’s Federation Guard (AFG) supported by members from the Australian Army Band will provide ceremonial guards for services commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux.
Villers-Bretonneux was the most important of a series of battles fought by Australians that resisted German attacks on the Somme in the first half of 1918.
The German capture of Villers-Bretonneux at dawn on the 24 April was the final effort of the offensive that had commenced so successfully for the Germans on 21 March 1918. Early in April the first German attack towards Villers-Bretonneux had been thwarted, but the British defenders on 24 April had little answer to the German advance, and the village fell to the enemy.
Two Australian brigades, the 13th of the 4th Division, under Brigadier-General Glasgow, and the 15th of the 5th Division, under Brigadier-General Elliott were set the task of retaking the township. They adopted a pincer movement with Glasgow's 50th (SA), 51st (WA) and 52nd (SA, WA and Tas) Battalions and the 49th (Qld) Battalion in reserve, to sweep past Villers-Bretonneux to the south. Elliott's Victorians of 57th, 59th and 60th Battalions and the 58th in reserve were to attack from the north.
During the night of 24 April, the 13th Brigade faced intense machine-gun fighting in Bois d’Aquenne before they could proceed. The two brigades then linked up east of the village to encircle the Germans. The allied attack to retake Villers-Bretonneux was achieved at dawn on the 25 April, through the fierce fighting of the Australians from the east, and from the British troops coming in from the north and west.
The counter-attack cost nearly 1,500 Australian casualties, but the action restored stability to this area of the battlefield and added to the reputation of Australians on the Western Front. Lieutenant Clifford Sadlier was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery and leadership under fire in this engagement and Sergeant Stokes was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
The Chief Joint Operations, Lieutenant General David Hurley AO DSC will represent the Australian Defence Force by attending the ceremonies.
Other services
Currently, more than 4000 Australian Defence Force personnel are proudly serving their nation on operations around the world in the tradition of the ANZAC.
Australian personnel deployed in Sudan, Sinai, Israel, Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste will hold services and parades in commemoration of the fallen.
Services and parades will, of course, be held across Australia.
Past Anzac day sites
ANZAC Day 2007
ANZAC Day 2006
ANZAC Day 2005
ANZAC Day 2004
ANZAC Day 2003
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