The ANZAC Trail

In conjunction with the Annual ANZAC Memorial day, traditionally held on April 25th, to commemorate the brave men that fought in WWI, we would like to show the role of the Middle East, and particularly that of the land of Israel, in the outcome of that war.

Over a century ago the first victory by Australian and New Zealand (ANZAC) troops, part of the British Empire’s army, was attained over the Turkish forces in then Palestine, which marked a turn in the outcome of WWI. The memory of those times are evident everywhere along what is today known as the ANZAC trail, which enables visitors today to relive those times.

The fighting took place in the Beer Sheba and Negev region of the country. The armies at that time were comprised principally of cavalry, brandishing rifles and bayonets, and flanked by artillery, and camps had to provide barracks or tents for soldiers, and of course corrals for the horses.
During WWI horses played a major role, not only in cavalry charges, but for pulling supply carts and ambulances as well as for reconnaissance missions. The bonds formed between horses and soldiers were very strong, and the loss of horses in the war to artillery and machine gun fire, as well as disease and injury, was critical to the troops. Ultimately the inability of the German forces to replenish their horses was a major factor in their defeat. (A wonderful depiction of this can be seen in the 2011 film “War Horse” by Steven Spielberg)

Today one can retrace the ANZAC trail by beginning in the lowlands region of the country, at Kibbutz Beeri, where a monument has been erected to commemorate the troops and their victory. As the drive continues, a stop can be at the Eshkol Park, to visit the restored portion of the railway line that was built by the Ottomans and later extended by the British following their victory.

The trail continues further to Beer Sheba, to the park of the Australian Soldier, which is a memorial and recreational park, with a statue commemorating the Light Brigade, and picnic areas, where people can come a spend time.
Beer Sheba is also home to the British Cemetery where most of the ANZAC soldiers that lost their lives here are buried, as well as to the ANZAC museum, which recreates some of the battles and tells the story.

The southernmost point of the trail is in the Negev, passing Khalassa, Bir Asluj and Bir Mashash. At Bir Asluj there is a small museum, with photographs and written documents from soldiers that participated in the war, which is very moving to visit.

We will be happy to take you ion this moving and historically interesting journey to a beautiful region of the country on your next visit to Israel.