100 years ago - August. The first ground actions by Aust and NZ troops.

At this time 100 years ago, Australia and New Zealand had forces overseas fighting the Germans in the Pacific.

Only two weeks after the declaration of war, troops from our countries were deploying overseas to take on the German's. 

These actions took place during August, September and October 1914.

100 Years ago-this week

While the countries of Europe manoeuvred their armies, Australia and New Zealand began to create their's.

Australian gunners are recorded as firing the British Empire's first shot of the War, on the 05 August 1914. Apparently a British destroyer was attributed with this deed as it fired at something like 10.30 am, and the Australian gun fired at 12.45 pm, but when you take into account the Time Zones, Australia's shot occurred a few hours before the British one. 

Read about it at these links ...

 The story of Australia's first shot

Who fired the first shot of the War?

I do not cover this in my book, as I was not aware of it; but other events outlined in "The Anzac Legend" are as follows ...

Bridges became the commander of the 1st Australian Division.

C.E.W. Bean spelt "Labour Party" in this manner in his Official History, leading me to suspect that it is the original spelling of the title back at the beginning of the 20th century (page 16 of "The Story of Anzac".

Godley began to organise the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF)
and would lead it overseas.

The Beginning of the Great War

After the failure of weeks of diplomatic negotiations, bullying and 

threats the situation developed quickly like this...

100 years ago - The Shot Heard Around The World

At this time 100 years ago the seeds of The Great War were being sown.

Even the horses read newspapers.

Gavrilo Pincip, the assassin, was a member of "The Black Hand",
and his attack was the second attempt by them to
assassinate the Archduke on this day. 

To read the full story follow this link: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Franz_Ferdinand

Gallipoli Air War

I'm currently reading "Gallipoli Air War" by Hugh Dolan.

It's a really good book! Very interesting and written in an informal, open manner. This is the first book I've read by Mr Dolan (apart from "Gallipoli: The Landing". Z Beach True Comics), and I'm finding it most interesting.
It deals with a part of the Gallipoli campaign of which I was totally unaware, and is seldom referred to.
I knew their were planes operating on both sides, but was ignorant to the extent of their involvement.

A panel (on page 49) of "The Anzac Legend"

Hugh's writing style is very laid back and relaxed, making it very easy to read and identify with the characters involved. Of course it is a historical account, so the "characters" are actual people and not fictional. Hugh's familiarity and fondness for flying is easily felt as he describes the flying machines and their sorties over enemy territory under enemy ground fire; scouring the country side for intelligence, enemy troops, enemy artillery, spotting for the Naval ships, bombing raids, etc. Great stuff!
Hugh occasionally relates the story of nearly a century ago with his own experiences as an Intelligence Officer in the RAAF  in Iraq during the recent conflict there. This quite often highlights that over that period of time quite a few things haven't changed one iota, and today's airmen have the same, or very similar, obstacles to overcome. Some things never change.

If you get a chance - read the book. I'm sure you will enjoy it.

Did Bridges influence the morning advance on the 400 Plateau?

Bridges on the 400 Plateau (page 60)

      As I read and compiled this part of the book, and the timings of certain events were placed in their correct sequence, it became apparent to me that the advance from the 400 Plateau in the early part of the morning may have been initiated by General Bridges. He went to the 400 Plateau very soon after coming ashore to find his brigade commanders and find out the situation.

    From the time he reached M’Cay’s Hill he became anxious about the lack of forward movement by the troops he saw, and concerned that Ottoman reserves would arrive before the Australians could reach their objectives.

 Bean says Bridges decided to check the Australian front line and began to move along it. It was at this time roughly that Major Bennett (6 BN) ordered his troops forward (he told Bean he went forward no later then 0830.); and soon after Colonel MacLagen ordered the 9^th Battalion forward. There seems to have been a domino effect happening  around this time which starts in the south and moves northwards. It’s as if Bridges' movement north was a catalyst for units to advance. Bridges and MacLagen were certainly on the 400 Plateau at the same time, and it would have been their priority at this stage to meet and discuss the situation.

My imagination tells me that perhaps Bridges saw MacLagen and asked what the hold up was. MacLagen may have said he was waiting for support, to which Bridges may have said “I’ll get you some support, if you just get moving!” With that he headed back to the beach and sent Wanliss up.

This sounds feasible to me, however Bean says that Bridges and MacLagen never met on the 400 Plateau that morning, even though Bridges’ intention was to meet with his brigade commanders and find out how things were going. But instead, strangely Bridges suddenly abandoned his tour and ran down to LTCOL Wanliss (5^th Bn) who he found just landing in Anzac Cove, and ordered he send all his available troops up to support the front line immediately.

Whether Bridges had some effect on the decisions made on the 400 Plateau is purely and totally my conjecture with no evidence to support it, other then a coincidental chain of events. But there does appear to be some missing details to the story here. In my book I have followed the narrative as related in the Official History.

Available at The AWM

The Australian War Memorial now has stocks of "The Anzac Legend" for sale on the shelves in the  AWM Shop, and also online at

http://www.awm.gov.au/shop/item/9780992482602/