A critical review of the Australian War Memorial
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Introduction
Memorial plays a vital role in supporting histories produced in the past due to the occurrence of a given phenomenon. Therefore, this article review aims at looking at the Australian war memorial, its historical significance, Australia involvement in WWI, WWI primary evidence, Australia involvement in WWII, WWII primary evidence, diary entry, and provide a conclusion.
The historical significance of the Australian War Memorial
The Australian War memorial refers to a national memorial that is used to commemorate Australian servicewomen as well as men sacrifice who died in the war. The mission of the War memorial is to assist Australian in interpreting, understanding, and remembering the Australian experience and its lasting impact on society. The approval of the Memorial was done in 1917, while the groundwork stone was laid in 1919 on Anzac Day. Therefore, the depression, as well as the 2nd World War, caused the delay of the building works. In 1941, the building work was completed after World War II outbreak and become officially opened in 1941 November (Bean, 1934). The War memorial is broadly regarded as the most critical memorial in the world. It is located at Canberra, the capital of Australia, is the northern terminus which bounces from parliament house, along with to the northeast. The building was constructed near the parliament house due to its essential portion of the parliamentary view. Sydney architects, John Crust and Emil Sodersteen, designed a joint structure of Sodersteen image of the Memorial plus Crust’s ideas of an arcade.
Australia’s involvement in WWI
The men were recruited in the royal force at the eruption of the 1st World War in 1914. They were sent to meet the threat in Egypt, which was posed by the Ottoman Empire to the British concern in the Middle East as well as the Suez Canal. After training 4 and 1/2 months near Cairo, the Australian left using the ship for the Gallipoli headland with New Zealand, France, and Britain troops (Bean, 1990). The purpose was to assist the British marine operation in forcing the Dardanelles Strait as well as Capture Turkish capital. The Gallipoli action cost Australian such that there were 26,111 casualties inclusive of 8,141 Australian deaths (Fewster et al., 1985).
The Anzac spirits suggested that New Zealand and Australian soldiers had some similar features, especially the qualities exemplified in the WWI by the soldiers. They included courage, endurance, ingenuity, mateship, and good humor. For instance, during the Gallipoli fight, the Australian did not win the war, but they displayed courage, initiative, endurance, and discipline, which shows the Anzac spirit (Bean, 1990). This fight was their first main military action, with not less than 27,000 New Zealand and Australian soldiers. The military never waited for the boats nor orders, but they rushed straightforward on the blazes of their enemy rifles fighting for allowing the Dardanelles passage.
WWI primary evidence
Figure 1: Memorial Plaque artifacts in Australian WWI (Bean, 1990)
The memorial plaque was issued to the closest next of kin of those who died attending the Australian imperial forces and royal navy so that to provide comfort to the grief-stricken peoples. The memorial plaque has a Britannia as well as a lion and an inscription. She died for freedom and honour. Every plague had the person name decorated as a portion of the design. The plague was cast using bronze and was recognized as the dead man’s penny (Bean, 1990). The Britannia is holding an olive wreath in her left hand and stretches her right arm. Above the rectangular tablet, it bears a deceased name upstretched in letters. Towards the lion’s right side, there is an oak spray, and two dolphins are swimming around her, symbolizing Britain’s sea power. In the lower part, the German eagle is being torn by the second lion (Bean, 1990). The name around the plague is leading “He died for freedom and honour.” In the investigation of Australia’s involvement in WWI, it helps the researcher to note the number of Australian who was more than 60,000 died after the 1st World War. Furthermore, it provides evidence of the Australian involvement in the WWI.
Australia’s Involvement in WWII
At Kokoda, 625 and above 1000 Australians were killed and injured, respectively. This was the essential campaign the Australians fought during WWII. The war was to stop the Japanese from progress across the pacific as well as toward Australia (May, 2000). Therefore, this campaign helped to save the invasion or isolation of Australia from Port Moresby, which had a strong tactical position. Due to the Australian solder great fight, it expanded the nation hence saving the country from surrendering. Therefore, most of the individuals in Australia visit the place to pay honour their bravery plus the dedication of their solders.
In WWII, the European and the Pacific theatre were the places where the military events were carried out. The European theatre overextended across the whole continent from the Atlantic Ocean to the Ural Mountains. Included campaigns all through the Mediterranean Basin (Vanhorenbeeck, 2009). It started with the German invasion of Poland in 1939. The Pacific theatre involved war amongst the allies and the Japanese Empire. In include the Pacific Ocean area and its island, excluding mainland Asia.
WWII primary evidence
Figure 1: Bofors gun position during Australia WWII (Davis, 1992)
The Bofors was a weapon used by the Australia anti-aircraft defense since it possesses partial air defenses. The anti-aircraft batteries were placed in all major cities in northern Australia. The 3.7-inch anti-aircraft was made in Australia, and it was the giant weapon that was made to fight aircraft of enemies. Numerous anti-aircraft were involved when the nation was dealing with the Japanese air raids. During the years 1942 and 1943, northern Australia fought against the Japanese shooting down 29 aircraft of the enemy, 27 destroyed and 32 damaged aircraft (Davis 1992). The war and the Japanese threat subsided the Australia anti-aircraft defense manning, decreasing the workforce in the Bofors and leaving for another army as well as industry. The women took over as well as volunteer defense corps, but various enemies attacked Australia; hence this resulted in their defeat (Davis, 1990). Therefore, the artifacts are important to the Australian since they provide information on the weapon they used to try and defeat their enemies.
Diary entry
4th March – 8th August 1942
I was involved in training on the Pacific side to use the anti-aircraft gun with my team, which included 9 anti-aircrafts who would assist in firing the weapon to destroy the enemy’s aircraft during wartime. Some of the colleagues were women who were fighting for the nation’s freedom from the Japanese invasion. By the end of 8th august, we were ready for the fight for our society since the training seemed better, and we were eager to test the new machine on the war and see its impact. The gun shorts noise was beyond description.
1st September 1942 (Tuesday)
I was involved in a Milne Bay battle, which took place at the Pacific theatre. It was my first day in World War II manning a 3.7 inch anti-aircraft was not easy. Since it was the first day, the life around the war full of blood shade was not easy for me. The situation was fearful, but coping up with the war needed strength, and I could not surrender since Anzac spirits were our qualities, which included; courage, endurance, ingenuity, mateship, and good humour. I could not betray that quality as the Royal anti-aircraft forces. The condition was worse, and I had a lot of sleepless nights, and I could not sleep except during the day when my troops possessed the watch.
2nd September – 7th September 1942
In the Pacific, the war between the Japanese troops and us was at the climax. The Japanese did not expect us to have such a massive fight. While I was manning the 3.7 anti-aircraft, I would bring down the aircraft attacking my side of the battle. We made combat, plus targeting Japanese logistics. They went out of numbers withdrawing their forces from the fight hence making the end of the war on the 7th of that month. To this point, I was happy emerging victorious despite the hardship and death of my colleagues.
Conclusion
In conclusion, War memorial is of importance not only to the Australian society but also to other countries globally. This war memorial provides us with historical information during the WWI and WWII. We can know what happened and, to some degree, the name of those who fought for our independence. Furthermore, through the passage of that historical event of the freedom fighters, every society can preserve their culture and pass from generation to generation. Moreover, war memorial links the past with the present hence enabling people to remember as well as respect those who died, affected, or participated in the war. Artifacts preservation is of importance since due to emotional significance, our lovely ones placed on them. Therefore, the physical proof helps us to remember historical events, learn and honour those who were involved.
References
Bean, C. E. W. (1934). The official history of Australia in the war of 1914-1918 (Vol. 2). Angus & Robertson.
Bean, C. E. W. (1990). Gallipoli mission. ABC Enterprises (Australian Broadcasting Corporation).
Davis, J. (1992). ” Women’s Work” and the Women’s Services in the Second World War as Presented in Salt. Hecate, 18(1), 64.
Fewster, K., Başarin, V., & Başarin, H. H. (1985). A Turkish View of Gallipoli: Canakkale. Hodja Educational Resources.
May, A. (2000). ‘Fortress Australia.’ Between Empire and Nation: Australia’s External Relations from Federation to the Second World War, 168.
Vanhorenbeeck, M. S. (2009). The’Theatre of Operations’ in Information Operations.