ANZAC

ANZAC stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, a World War I formation created in 1915 by order of General William Birdwood to command Australian Imperial Force (AIF) and New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) units for the Gallipoli Campaign. The corps consisted of integrated units but often operated with separate national contingents under common command.

During the Gallipoli Campaign (April 1915–January 1916), the landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 at what became known as Anzac Cove became a defining moment in national consciousness for Australia and New Zealand. The campaign was costly and ultimately unsuccessful in its strategic aims, but it produced enduring memories and symbols of courage, endurance, and comradeship.

Following Gallipoli, ANZAC troops fought in other theatres of World War I, including the Western Front and the Middle East, while the term ANZAC gradually came to denote the soldiers of both nations who served there under shared command.

ANZAC Day, observed on 25 April in both countries, commemorates those who served and died in all wars. Dawn services, parades, and other rituals mark the day, reflecting remembrance of the fallen and the broader commitments of veterans.

Over time, the ANZAC concept has become a central element of Australian and New Zealand national identity, though it is also the subject of scholarly analysis and critique regarding the myth-making surrounding the campaign and its legacy.