After arriving too late for the succinct war in Sudan, Australia finally had a chance to prove themselves on the plains of South Africa in the Boer War. Soon enough, our naivety was stripped away in this 3-year war, which gave way to a conflict none of us could have foreseen. Disease claimed half of the casualties.
Probably the most well known of our involvements was that of Gallipoli, 1915. The legend of the ANZAC was born on these beaches in World War I. An 8-month occupation in this area of Turkey delivered unimaginable horrors for our forces. The troops displayed loyalty and courage to the end and will evermore be remembered by these traits.
As the First World War continued, our troops were taking part in some of the biggest battles the world had yet seen. While our Lighthorsemen were fighting a desert war with the Turks in Palestine, the rest of our forces were sent to France. Back home, the issue of conscription had divided the nation. Every Australian was feeling the effects of this war.
World War II had begun, and were we keen to serve? We were still loyal to the Empire and had been hardened by our previous experiences, so... for Britain then. We fought hard and long for their cause, but soon enough we discovered that we were going to have to do it for ourselves. The Japanese were coming...
Our troops were scattered all over and we were severely ill prepared for this invasion. We were suffering heavy casualties to the Germans, especially in the air. Our troops endured the harrowing Kokoda Trail in South East Asia and fought the Japanese until the Americans dropped the bomb. An incredibly emotional recollection by Sargent Jack Sims will break you apart.
The least well known of all conflicts was probably the war on communism in Korea. Our troops went by request of the United Nations. This time, we were on a roll in terms of success, that is, until the Chinese became involved. A POW's account of solitary confinement will chill you to the bone.
The most controversial conflict of our time. The war of 'lies and politics', the undeclared war in Vietnam. Conscription was passed and a nation was divided. Civilians were disgusted to the point of protest and our troops faced an extremely cunning and dangerous enemy, the likes of which they had never seen. Despite the relatively low number of casualties, all of these survivors have a ten-year scar that will never heal.
Now, we are looking back. What have we achieved and how has our history affected us? Our peacekeeping involvements are detailed and Anzac Day is discussed. Many of the artists and cameramen involved in these conflicts are profiled. We are left with one question, "What have we done with the peace that was won for us?"
