Anzacs

'ANZACS' (standing for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps) was a 5 part Australian  mini series set in world war one. The series was hugely successful worldwide and starred Paul Hogan, of 'Crocodile Dundee' fame, as likeable soldier Pat Cleary. Well noted for  its humour and historical accuracy, the series follows the lives of a group of young Australian men who enlist in the Australian army in 1914, fighting first at Gallipoli in 1915, and then on the western front for the remainder of the war.

The mini-series is very much an ensemble-acting affair with some very well known faces in the line-up. Andrew Clarke, Paul Hogan (in his first dramatic role), Tony Bonner, Jon Blake, Megan Williams, Ilona Rogers and Robert Coleby among many others.

Episode 1: Australia in 1914… Outbreak of war… Recruitment… Training… Gallipoli: Landing/stalemate/withdrawal.

Episode 2: Arrival in France (1916)… Nursery Sector… The Battle of the Somme… Pozieres.

Episode 3: The Somme Winter (1916-17)… The Hindenberg Line… Bullecourt… Blighty Leave… Third Battle of Ypres begins (July 1917)… Menin Road… Broodseinde Ridge

Episode 4: Third battle of Ypres bogs down (November 1917)… The German Offensive (March 1918)… The Battle of Amiens… Hazebrouk… Battle of Nieppe Forest.

Episode 5: The Yanks are coming… "Peaceful Penetration"… Monash appointed Commander of the 5 Australian Divisions… Battle of Hamel… The "Jack ups" Monash's Big Push (August 8, 1918)… Armistice (November 11, 1918)… Back Home.

The series popularised many old marching songs of the period for example;

(Tune: 'John Brown's Body')

One staff officer jumped right over another staff officer's back. And another staff officer jumped right over that other staff officer's back, A third staff officer jumped right over two other staff officers' backs, And a fourth staff officer jumped right over all the other staff officers' backs.

They were only playing leapfrog, They were only playing leapfrog, They were only playing leapfrog, When one staff officer jumped right over another staff officer's back.

http://www.napoleonguide.com/dvd_anzacs.htm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPbLg9T9wso