ANZAC diggers labelled 'bludgers, thieves'

[Dogwatcher]

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/845 ... rs-thieves

The RSL has reacted with outrage to comments by New Zealand journalists less than a week before ANZAC Day that Australian ANZAC soldiers were lazy "bludgers" and "thieves".

The remarks were aired on New Zealand's public broadcaster Radio National as the panel discussed a recently published book by former Australian Army officer and Department of Veterans Affairs historian Graham Wilson, who argues a number of myths have developed around Gallipoli.

Journalist Jock Anderson told listeners that "Australian soldiers have been reluctant at the best of times" before attacking their commitment and condescendingly praising the diggers for their cunning.

"They've been essentially lazy bludgers, some of them, and excellent black marketeers, scavengers, poachers and thieves," Anderson said.

The journalist conceded the diggers had their moments on the battlefield "but there is no way they can hold a candle, in my opinion, to the Kiwis."

Freelance journalist Josie McNaught added that she was "so sick of hearing that ridiculous cliche" that Australia's national identity was forged on the beaches of Gallipoli.

RSL Queensland chairman Terry Meehan described the comments as "disappointing" to the many servicemen who had lost their lives.

He said he took particular offence to the term "bludgers" and added that the comments stung even more coming from Australia's perennial ally New Zealand.

"I have never heard Australians talk about New Zealanders in such a way,'' Mr Meehan told the Daily Telegraph.

"Gallipoli was where the Anzac legend started - and it's continued right through history," Mr Meehan said.