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“THEY WENT WITH SONGS TO THE BATTLE”

For the Commemoration of the Anzac Forces who were injured or
died in battle on 25th April 1915 during the Gallipoli Campaign -

Lest We Forget!

“THEY WENT WITH SONGS TO THE BATTLE”

 

Once again, 94 years on Australians and New Zealanders are about to commemorate the sacrifices made by their Soldiers, in particular on the 25th April 1915.
These men were amongst the huge losses suffered in the 8 months of the Gallipoli campaign. Over 33000 Allied and 86000, Turkish troops were killed in a campaign, which achieved none of its objectives

Gallipoli cost 8700 Australian dead and 19000 wounded. Large numbers of the dead have no known gravesites. The story of Anzac has had an enduring effect on the way Australians see themselves. Though the campaign was a failure, Anzac has come to stand, in the words of the official historian, C.E.W. Bean, "for reckless valour in a good cause, for enterprise, resourcefulness, fidelity, comradeship and endurance".
http://www.anzacs.net/AnzacStory.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHTojtx89Cw&feature=related –

Listen here to Eric Bogle’s thought provoking recording of ‘And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda’

~~~~~~

 

It is said that those who do not learn from their mistakes
are condemned to repeat them.
George Santayana (1863-1952)


W.N.Hodgson (1893-1916)
"Before Action"
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/33944-William-Noel-Hodgson-Before-Action

Farewell To Anzac
Cicely Fox Smith
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/show/47926-Cicely-Fox-Smith-Farewell-To-Anzac

‘And, most important are the words for all soldiers who gave their lives for this land.’
These words were spoken to our enemies by Ataturk, group commander of Anafartalar and the founder of Modern Turkey.
" Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives...! You are now lying in
the soul 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."
ATATURK, (1934).©
~~~~~


Here are some words to illustrate the magnificence of the Gallipoli Wars.

"It is impossible for me without mentioning the fights on the Bomb Hill. Distance between trenches is about eight metres, That's to say, death is certain... The soldiers in the first trench are completely dying and the second group replaces them immediately with such great resignation and coldness that no one can imagine. A Soldier sees those dying soldiers and knows that he will die in a few minutes but doesn't show any hesitation and fear at all. By reading Kuran, some are ready to go Heaven and others are fighting and praying to God. This is one of the instances that shows the astonishing high spirit of Turkish soldiers". ( From the diaries of Ataturk - group commander of Anafartalar) ©

http://www.iit.edu/~agunsal/canakkale/canwar.html 

 

~~~~~
 

Two poems from women who, in their own lives felt the tragedy of War.
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/show/60502-Vera-Brittain-The-Lament-of-the-Demobilised
‘The Lament of the Demobilised’
Vera Brittain

Eleanor Farjeon – Now That You Too
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/48764-Eleanor-Farjeon-Now-That-You-Too


War from the Women's perspective. Saying Goodbye to their men, never knowing if they would see each other again. Drinking in the way they look, ingesting every thing about them to file away and open each time they have dark, desolate moments. Lingering looks, holding on tightly before their man leaves. Heart-wrenching and emotional poems such as this are priceless.

From the Soldiers point of view – Ivor Gurney – The Target
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/30783-Ivor-Gurney-The-Target

A poets tribute to the Dead. The War Sonnets IV – Rupert Brooke
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/157-Rupert-Brooke-The-War-Sonnets--IV-The-Dead

Anzac Cove – a description by Leon Gellert
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/show/21130-Leon-Gellert-Anzac-Cove

This small sample of poetry is available to you to read on Oldpoetry plus 1000’s of others in the ‘War’ category alone. 

http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/list

- look on the right side of your screen for the categories.

~~~~

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Laurence Binyon
‘For the Fallen’

Included in the list

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Comments

1 - 9 of 9

  • Mari Goes
    April 25, 2009
    Edit | Reply
    Von, what a wonderful work you have done here! The chosen selection is great and the quote at the end is very moving.
    So well done.

    Mari


  • Von Powell gold member
    April 24, 2009
    Edit | Reply

    Profound

    "They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
    Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
    They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
    They fell with their faces to the foe."

    This is the 3rd Stanza of 'For The Fallen'. I heard it recited yesterday at an Anzac Day Service - I found it to be so profound, sitting in a room of old men and women, some wearing medals, others in tears it was a most profound experience.
    Some of the medal wearers were in wheel chairs, with portable oxygen tanks but they still insisted on being at the Service - amazing, resilient people.


  • Kuranya gold member
    April 24, 2009
    Edit | Reply
    Today is one of those days, where as an Australian, there is a pride in being so. So I went to the dawn service, to pay my respects to those brave men and women who fought in the quagmire of war and for those who continue to fight for 'The lucky country' it was the least I could do for all they have done for us. And as I stood there, in the chill of the beginning of winter, as the last post solemly filtered through the silence. I was never prouder to be an Aussie. Thank you for posting this and paying homage to our brave heroes.


    At the going down of the sun and in the morning.... we will remember them.

    Lest we forget


  • I-Like-Rhymes gold member
    April 24, 2009
    Edit | Reply
    You have compiled a thought provoking piece here Von and illustrated it with some excellent poetry but I think the most telling part is the quotation from Ataturk which I read here for the first time.
    "There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side"
    So many old enemies become friends and so many old friends become enemies. Like the spectators in the conclusion to Bogle's lyrics I ask myself "what are they marching for?" since in 100 years it will be all happening again somewhere else unless we all learn.


  • rbruce gold member
    April 24, 2009
    Edit | Reply
    Wars, a senseless waste of life and resources. Thank you Von for this column. My Dad was over there somewhere and refused to say a word about. He took his memories to the grave with him. It took me a long time to find out enough of what went on to appreciate why he declined to say anything.


  • Man of Harlech silver member
    April 23, 2009
    Edit | Reply
    There is amazing similarity in all wars. There should be no glory in it.

  • oldpoets
    April 23, 2009
    Edit | Reply
    So many men have perished in so many wars. It is wonderful that they are honored by eventas so long ago. I wonder when all wars will end.


  • AliceinPoetryLand gold member
    April 23, 2009
    Edit | Reply
    Oh I am brought to tears every time I hear that song. Thank you ever so much for posting this.
    Wonderful indeed!
    Gaylene


    • Von Powell gold member
      April 23, 2009
      Edit | Reply
      Thank You Gaylene, I'm a huge fan of Eric Bogle myself and, like you this song means so much to me too. Thanks for your visit here. Von ~ Oldpoetry

1 - 9 of 9