When the Great War erupted in August 1914 Australia willingly responded to the call of empire and joined the forces of Europe’s war. During this time Australia had population of less than five million people, from which it volunteered 300,000 to join the war effort. This war proved to be excessively costly to Australia in regards to human loss. It has also been one of the most defining moments for Australia’s culture and society since 1788 for it was the Great War, with particular reference to their involvement in Gallipoli, which saw the creation of the ANZAC legend.
Robert Menzies' announcement that Australia was at War once again on September 1939 and John Curtin's 'turn to America' statement in 1941 are, arguably, the two most iconic statements by an Australian leader during World War II. But this conflict, perhaps more than any other, has often been referred to as a 'people’s war'. Australia's Second World War was experienced by million at home and abroad.
Robert Menzies' announcement that Australia was at War once again on September 1939 and John Curtin's 'turn to America' statement in 1941 are, arguably, the two most iconic statements by an Australian leader during World War II. But this conflict, perhaps more than any other, has often been referred to as a 'people’s war'. Australia's Second World War was experienced by million at home and abroad.
Glossary of key words;
Attrition- a wearing down or weakening of resistance, especially as a result ofcontinuous pressure or harassment.
'No man’s land'- land that is unoccupied or is under dispute between parties that leave it unoccupied due to fear or uncertainty. It is most commonly associated with the First World War to describe the area of land between two enemy trench systems to which neither side wished to move openly or to seize due to fear of being attacked by the enemy in the process.
Stalemate- A situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible.
Encryption- the process of encoding messages or information in such a way that only authorized parties can read it
Blitzkrieg- method of warfare whereby an attacking force spearheaded by a dense concentration of armored and motorized or mechanized infantry formations, and heavily backed up by close air support, forces a breakthrough into the enemy's line of defense through a series of short, fast, powerful attacks.
Anzac (1) Initial letters of Australian, New Zealand Army corps contracted. (2) The area on the Gallipoli Peninsula occupied by the Anzac Corps. (3) One who was on Anzac during the campaign. (4) Used sarcastically in reference to Military Policemen. The Provost Corps was originally named ‘Anzac Provost Corps’. The term ‘Anzac’ also implied gallantry, another reason for its sarcastic application to the Military Police
Attrition- a wearing down or weakening of resistance, especially as a result ofcontinuous pressure or harassment.
'No man’s land'- land that is unoccupied or is under dispute between parties that leave it unoccupied due to fear or uncertainty. It is most commonly associated with the First World War to describe the area of land between two enemy trench systems to which neither side wished to move openly or to seize due to fear of being attacked by the enemy in the process.
Stalemate- A situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible.
Encryption- the process of encoding messages or information in such a way that only authorized parties can read it
Blitzkrieg- method of warfare whereby an attacking force spearheaded by a dense concentration of armored and motorized or mechanized infantry formations, and heavily backed up by close air support, forces a breakthrough into the enemy's line of defense through a series of short, fast, powerful attacks.
Anzac (1) Initial letters of Australian, New Zealand Army corps contracted. (2) The area on the Gallipoli Peninsula occupied by the Anzac Corps. (3) One who was on Anzac during the campaign. (4) Used sarcastically in reference to Military Policemen. The Provost Corps was originally named ‘Anzac Provost Corps’. The term ‘Anzac’ also implied gallantry, another reason for its sarcastic application to the Military Police