The term ANZAC is an abbreviation for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps. ANZAC Day is celebrated to commemorate the day Australia and New Zealand's armed forces saw action for the first time during World War I. ANZAC Day is celebrated on April 25 every year, as it was on that day in 1915 that soldiers of Australia and New Zealand's armies, who were part of the allied forces, reached Gallipoli in an attempt to defeat the Turkish forces stationed there. The Turkish forces were part of the Ottoman Empire, which itself was an ally of Germany during World War I.
Any hopes of a blitz and a quick victory evaporated rapidly as the Turkish soldiers held on to their positions doggedly, ensuring that the battle lasted an entire eight months. They suffered heavy losses during this time, and also inflicted heavy losses on the Australian and New Zealand soldiers. The Australians and New Zealanders were finally pulled out along with other allied forces. The losses they suffered were devastating, with official sources putting the number of Australian casualties at more than 8,000.
Any hopes of a blitz and a quick victory evaporated rapidly as the Turkish soldiers held on to their positions doggedly, ensuring that the battle lasted an entire eight months. They suffered heavy losses during this time, and also inflicted heavy losses on the Australian and New Zealand soldiers. The Australians and New Zealanders were finally pulled out along with other allied forces. The losses they suffered were devastating, with official sources putting the number of Australian casualties at more than 8,000.
