British plan ANZAC whitewash

news.com.au ^ | 9th January 2013

[naturalman1975]

A PC push by British politicians is threatening to downplay the role of Aussie diggers in WW1 in favour of developing nations.

The ANZAC whitewash comes despite the 62,000 Australians who died in the Great War fighting for the British Empire and another 156,000 wounded, with no 100-year anniversary events planned by Britain recognising the sacrifice.

.....

British government sources have confirmed internal briefings on WWI commemorations have not mentioned Australia or New Zealand once, instead staff from departments and cabinet offices have been briefed to concentrate on other British Empire contributions by soldiers from countries such as Nigeria and other dominions in West Africa, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

[naturalman1975]

There's absolutely nothing wrong - indeed, I think it's a very good idea - to make sure the contributions of colonial troops from places in Africa and Asia are acknowledged. They fought for King and Country, and for the Empire, as much as any others - and perhaps with less reason to do so than some others, and they deserve to be remembered.

But failing to acknowledge the contributions of countries like Australia, Canada, and New Zealand isn't necessary to do that.

[tet68]

Right you are. Perhaps we will see this once the
anniversery gets here.
Wish I could tour the battlefields.

[naturalman1975]

"The British pretty much lost the war in July 1918, they were in retreat and it was the Australians and New Zealanders who got put into the gap... they were the ones that held up the Germans in places like Hamel (Somme, northern France), with the Americans too but basically the well-trained Australians, pretty battle hardened by then, who stopped the Germans. If they had got to Amiens the game would have been gone because that was where the British communication system were. That needs recognition."

The Battle of Hamel - 4th July 1918 - marked the first time Australian and American troops went into battle together. Four American companies (originally more, but some were sent elsewhere before the battle began) were incorporated into the Australian Corps under Lieutenant General John Monash.

[Maine Mariner]

Well after General Hamilton had so many ANZAC troops needlessly slaughtered on the beaches and hills of Gallopi, I would not be surprised if Australia and New Zeland would really want to be recognized.

[munin]

I guess it is time to kiss the mother country goodbye

[yarddog]

In his “History of World War II” Churchill often mentioned his fear that the Australian Prime Minister would pull Australian troops from the ETA and return them to Australia because of the Japanese threat.

He managed to keep them but I could understand the Australians position.

[Verginius Rufus]

Monash University in Australia (founded 1958) is named for Sir John Monash.

[Dr. Ursus]

They might be reminded that this was planned by Chuurchill. There was an interesting aftermath between Turkey and Aust.and N.Z. This was led by Ataturk.

[Iron Munro]

Before the disease of political correctness runs its course around the world, we will have history books teaching children that African blacks developed the nuclear reactor, Mexicans won the war in the Pacific in WWII, muslims put the first man on the moon and homosexuals built the transcontinental railroad.

[Truth29]

More PC writing of history to meet current political goals. Maybe Australia and New Zealand can find a creative way to express their displeasure ... if they even care what the remade, non-British, Britain thinks.

[Little Bill]

Churchills fear was generated by British mistreatment of ANZAK and Canadian forces during WW1.

[Timber Rattler]

Hmmmm...on the first day of the Somme, the ANZACs were the only ones who carried their objectives. Seems like a grotesque omission to me, as well as of the Canadians.

[Gay State Conservative]

Although one of my grandparents was a British subject at birth (born in Ireland in the late 1800’s) I don't know much about the British empire.However,if an Aussie,a Kenyan,a Canadian,a South African (white *or* black),a Fijian or a Kiwi fought bravely for the King/Queen that individual should be honored,rewarded and held in high esteem.

[Mears]

The Turks even have a memorial dedicated to The Anzacs.

.

[BenLurkin]

Gallipoli.

[naturalman1975]

"Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours... You the mothers who sent their sons from far away countries wipe away your tears. Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well."

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, President of Turkey, in a message to the families of British Empire servicemen who died at Gallipoli and who are buried there. Atatürk had commanded Turkish troops during the battle. It's an incredibly graceful statement considering he was talking about foreigners who tried to invade his country.

And it is why a memorial to Atatürk stands opposite the Australian War Memorial in Canberra - on ANZAC Parade.

[centurion316]

At a dinner of the ABCA (America Britain Canada Australia) Armies Cooperation Group at the Royal Artillery Mess in Larkhill, I offered a toast that included this event among others where our armies fought and bled together. New Zealand was includes as well as they are members, but in an adjunct status at the time due to political considerations.

I did not mention Brandywine, Lundy’s Lane, or New Orleans as they were not in keeping with the spirit of the occasion.

[naturalman1975]

Precisely - it is a disgrace that the contribution of certain of the colonies that are now Commonwealth nations has been ignored in the past and correcting that is a good thing - but not by ignoring a different set of contributions instead. There's no reason it has to be one or the other.

(From World War II, but you can recognise both types of contributions together)

[yarddog]

I suppose they were all carrying Enfields.

[Sheapdog]

No South African of non-European ancestry would have been allowed to join the military in WWI or WWII. Just so you know.

And yes by the time the PC illness further ravages the Western world it will be taught that blacks invented everything and whites are backwards racists worshiping and ancient tribal god of all that is unholy - greedy and wrong.

What a world that would accept this.