Who Are The ANZACS?0

Established in 1914, ANZACS stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. Originally, they were comprised of a complete divisional army, with an Australian first division, a New Zealand infantry, as well as two mounted corps. One was a light horse brigade from Australia, the other mounted riflemen from neighboring New Zealand. While the name would suggest this army was strictly Australian and New Zealand, it was in fact multinational, with members from all parts of Western Europe as well as the Americas.

ANZACS were also originally supposed to be trained in England, then go on to the European front to fight in WW1. However, after the advice from the Canadian Army, they instead went to Egypt for their first training missions because of the harsh English Winters. A general from the British Indian Army was sent to train the troops, as well as add some soldiers from his battalion to the lot.

The ANZACS fought in several conflicts, Gallipoli in 1915, fronts in France in 1916, and parts of this army fought in Mesopotamia, as well as Palestine and Egypt during the Second World War. During WWII, their headquarters were moved to Greece in the early part of 1941, and called the Australian I Corps. Because they still controlled some New Zealand Soldiers, it was reestablished and the ANZACS Corps in April of that year. Within a few short weeks Battle For Greece was over, and the group left at the end of the month, dropping the name as well.

While they were not actually disbanded, some of them retreated to Alexandria. Others were sent to Crete to increase forces there. Some went to Chania, Rethymno, and Heraklion. The battle of Crete started in the 20 of May, and within ten days fell to the Germans. Most of the defeated forces fled South and were picked up by the Royal Navy, but some hid in the mountains and were helped by the Cretans for several months.

Two companies of the Royal New Zealand Infantry were integrated into the Australian Army during the Vietnam war, and had the suffix ANZACS again. Established in 2005, the ANZACS Battle Group was formed and are still in active service this day. If you are interested in more information, there are several websites available that offer it.