Australia's wartime experiences especially those at Pozieres during World War I, acknowledges how the soldiers have shaped our nation and become an integral part of defining who we as Australians are. Australia had an important role in supporting the imperial Great Britain and were always ever-ready to aid Britain even though the war did not affect Australian geographically.
Despite the devastating toll on the Australian Imperial Force, “our Diggers fought with distinction and left a deep and profound legacy” says General David Hurley, a former senior officer in the Australian Army. The soldiers at Pozieres and Gallipoli, have left behind the Anzac spirit of courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice, all of which have come to be an inherent part of Australian national identity. Arthur Borke OAM, a retired colonel, described the Anzac spirit as “it is a feeling that burns in the heart of every Australian and New Zealand countryman. A warm, tender, fiery, even melancholy ideal that …show more content…
The only hope of winning the war was to recapture the village and so, 2 Australian brigades were assigned the task by Britain. This became one of their greatest victories, even though they were at the receiving end of the bulk of the German artillery. However, about 1200 soldiers died saving the village. This was one of the most crucial battles of the war. A British General called the Anzac attack 'perhaps the greatest individual feat of the war'. The French, though, have never forgotten the sacrifice. The Australian flag still flies over Villers-Bretonneux. There is also a village school called Victoria School, which got its building funds from donations of schoolchildren in Victoria, and emblazoned across a building in the main playground of Victoria School and above the schools blackboards are the words 'DO NOT FORGET AUSTRALIA'. Each year, they even hold a small Anzac day
Despite the devastating toll on the Australian Imperial Force, “our Diggers fought with distinction and left a deep and profound legacy” says General David Hurley, a former senior officer in the Australian Army. The soldiers at Pozieres and Gallipoli, have left behind the Anzac spirit of courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice, all of which have come to be an inherent part of Australian national identity. Arthur Borke OAM, a retired colonel, described the Anzac spirit as “it is a feeling that burns in the heart of every Australian and New Zealand countryman. A warm, tender, fiery, even melancholy ideal that …show more content…
The only hope of winning the war was to recapture the village and so, 2 Australian brigades were assigned the task by Britain. This became one of their greatest victories, even though they were at the receiving end of the bulk of the German artillery. However, about 1200 soldiers died saving the village. This was one of the most crucial battles of the war. A British General called the Anzac attack 'perhaps the greatest individual feat of the war'. The French, though, have never forgotten the sacrifice. The Australian flag still flies over Villers-Bretonneux. There is also a village school called Victoria School, which got its building funds from donations of schoolchildren in Victoria, and emblazoned across a building in the main playground of Victoria School and above the schools blackboards are the words 'DO NOT FORGET AUSTRALIA'. Each year, they even hold a small Anzac day