Watching the Australian media it is possible to get a distorted view of the place of ANZAC in history.
On twitter hardly one person states correct historical situation that in late October 1914 naval ships of the Ottoman Empire including two German crewed cruisers chose to attack and sink Russian ships around the Black Sea. This resulted in Russia and the Allies – France and the British Empire declaring war on the Ottoman Empire. After that the Ottomans declared Jihad on all the Allies I think. The Ottoman Empire could have remained neutral – might have survived after WWI and Gallipoli would not have happened.
There is a great need for better public knowledge of the bare essentials of WWI origins and basic history.
Yes, how remarkable Ataturk spoke of Australian soldiers with more respect and even reverence than this pseudo Australian who chooses to refer to history, as mythology.
I’ll be attending both dawn and 11am ANZAC services, but will never be watching any of this disrespectful, egocentric, pseudo, Australian’s films.
Maybe Russell Crowe is just giving the ABC a prod to make sure this prediction of Tim Blair’s (in “2015 Foretold”) comes true:
April – The ABC’s Anzac Day coverage begins with the Turkish national anthem, a roll call of Turkish military losses and statements from the families of Turkish WWI veterans denouncing Australian cowardice. ABC managing director Mark Scott blames budget cuts.
blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/timblair/index.php/dailytelegraph/comments/2015_foretold/