Australians at War

Arriving too late for the succinct war in Sudan, Australia had a chance to prove themselves on the plains of South Africa in the Boer War. Naivety was lost in a conflict no-one could have foreseen.

The legend of ANZAC was born on the beaches of Gallipoli in 1915. An 8-month occupation in this area of Turkey delivered terrible horrors for our forces, but their loyalty and courage to the end will forever be remembered.

Every Australian was feeling the effects of war, from Lighthorsemen fighting a desert war with the Turks in Palestine, to our forces in France. Back home, the issue of conscription had divided the nation.

World War II had begun, and were we keen to serve? We were still loyal to the Empire and had been hardened by our previous experiences, so... for Britain then.

Our troops were scattered all over. We were suffering heavy casualties to the Germans, and our troops endured the harrowing Kokoda Trail in South East Asia and were fighting the Japanese- until the Americans dropped the bomb.

The least well known of all conflicts was probably the war on communism in Korea. This time, we were on a roll in terms of success, that is, until the Chinese became involved.

Conscription was passed and a nation was divided. Civilians were protesting and our troops faced an enemy the likes of which they had never seen. The survivors return with scars that will never heal.

How has our history affected us? Our peacekeeping involvements are detailed and Anzac Day is discussed. We are left with the question, " What have we done with the peace that was won for us?"