The ANZAC legend makes claims that the ‘diggers’ had certain characteristics, including an ability to be resourceful, to be courageous and to be able to have mateship.it is clear that the reputation of the ANZACs is fact. It is not exaggerated or fiction. When looking at the characteristics of mateship, resourcefulness and courage we can clearly see that it is shown successful behind the ANZAC legend. One of the most defining characteristics of the ANZAC legend is mateship.
One aspect of the ANZAC legend is mateship. It is one of the most well-known attributes in this legend. When looking at the sources it is clear that mateship is important and special in war. Australian war soldiers rely on mateship to survive the war. The extract of the letter from Keith Murdoch, Cyril Bassett’s account from a New Zealanders point of view, and Charles bean’s account. Keith Murdoch said “It is no disgrace for an Australian to die beside good pale in ANZAC, where his best pals are under the dust”. Cyril Bassett said “When I got the medal I was disappointed to find I was the only New Zealander to get one at Gallipoli, because hundreds of Victoria Crosses should have been awarded there”. Mateship is known even by the New Zealander who fought in the war, and can see how special it is. All Bassett’s life he remained quiet about his VC, not even mentioning it to his children, stating that all his “mates ever got were wooden crosses”. Just as ANZACs can be seen as caring, and are not even afraid of dying with their mates, so too is resourcefulness.
One aspect of the ANZAC legend is Resourcefulness. It is one of the most well-known attributes in this legend. When looking at the sources it is clear that resourcefulness can be very helpful during hard times in a raging war. Resourcefulness can save many lives, by using and items they could find down in the trenches. A periscope Rifle was invented by Sargent William Beech in 1915 during the Gallipoli campaign. Beech worked as a builder’s foreman in civilian life. Beech modified a standard lee-Enfield.303 by cutting a single sock in half. The two halves were reconnected with a board and mirror periscope, horizontally aligned to the sights of rifle, as well as a string to pull the trigger, which allowed the rifle to be fired from beneath the line of fire. Wilson, Trevor (University of Adelaide), extract of a speech ‘Gallipoli – An Australian perspective’. Periscope riles were later manufactured in crude production lines on the beach
