Australian and New Zealand Army Corps

Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, universally known by its acronym ANZAC, was a First World War army corps formed in Egypt in December 1914. It comprised the 1st Australian Division and the composite New Zealand and Australian Division, under the command of British General William Birdwood. The corps is most famous for its part in the Gallipoli campaign against the Ottoman Empire, an operation that forged a powerful legacy of national identity in both Australia and New Zealand.

Formation and early history

The corps was formed in the wake of the outbreak of the First World War, following the enthusiastic commitment of troops from the Dominions of Australia and New Zealand to the British Empire's war effort. The initial contingents, including the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force, were sent to Egypt for training and to defend the Suez Canal against the Ottoman Empire. In Cairo, the First Australian Imperial Force and the New Zealand Expeditionary Force were merged under the command of General Birdwood, a protégé of Lord Kitchener. This grouping was intended as a strategic reserve for the Western Front, but geopolitical events in the Eastern Mediterranean soon altered its destiny.

Gallipoli campaign

In early 1915, the First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill, championed a plan to open a new front by forcing a passage through the Dardanelles. The Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, commanded by General Ian Hamilton, was tasked with the Gallipoli campaign. The corps, alongside British units like the 29th Division and French colonial forces, was chosen for the amphibious assault. On 25 April 1915, troops landed at what became known as Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli peninsula, facing fierce resistance from Ottoman forces under commanders like Mustafa Kemal. The campaign devolved into a bloody stalemate, with major battles at Krithia, Lone Pine, and the Nek, before the entire force was evacuated in December 1915 and January 1916.

Western Front and later campaigns

Following the evacuation from Gallipoli, the corps was expanded and reorganized. The original corps was officially disbanded in 1916, but the name and spirit were perpetuated by two new, distinct formations: the I ANZAC Corps and II ANZAC Corps. These corps were transferred to the Western Front in France and Belgium, where they fought with distinction in many of the war's most horrific battles. They were involved in the Somme, the Pozières, the Messines Ridge, the Passchendaele offensive, and the Hundred Days Offensive that finally broke the German lines. Other ANZAC mounted units, notably the Australian Light Horse and New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade, remained in the Middle East, fighting in the Sinai and Palestine campaign against the Ottoman Army.

Disbandment and legacy

After the Armistice of 11 November 1918, the various ANZAC formations were gradually demobilized. The legacy of the corps, however, proved indelible. The shared experience of war, particularly the baptism of fire at Gallipoli, is widely considered a foundational event in the national consciousness of both Australia and New Zealand, marking their emergence from the shadow of the British Empire. The term "Digger" for an Australian soldier and similar camaraderie in New Zealand forces are direct inheritances from this period. The concept of the "Anzac spirit"—emphasizing courage, endurance, and mateship—became a central tenet of both nations' military traditions and national character.

Commemoration and cultural impact

Commemoration of the corps is profound and enduring. Anzac Day, observed on 25 April, is the most significant national day of remembrance in both countries, marking the anniversary of the landing at Anzac Cove. Dawn services, marches by veterans, and ceremonies at monuments like the Australian War Memorial in Canberra and the National War Memorial in Wellington are central to the day. The legacy permeates literature, with works by poets like John McCrae and Banjo Paterson, and films such as *Gallipoli*. The Anzac biscuit has its origins in food sent to troops. The enduring bond was further solidified through subsequent conflicts, including the Second World War, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, where Australia and New Zealand often fought alongside each other as allies.

Category:Military units and formations of Australia in World War I Category:Military units and formations of New Zealand in World War I Category:1914 establishments in Australia