What are some other celebrated military failures, besides Gallipoli?
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People commemorate important events even when they were failures - for various reasons.
Propaganda
Often they need a rallying point - an inspiring example for the war which is yet to be fought.
E.g., the Battle of Chemulpo Bay was a resounding defeat for the Russians. The official Russian propaganda turned that into a momentous act of heroism. The Russian survivors were treated as heroes. Instead of being dismissed for incompetence, Rudnev was decorated and promoted.
"Remember the Alamo" became the rallying cry for the Texians who were defeated there (this also fits into the next category, "bravery").
Bravery
Other times, the defeated fought so bravely, that it should be commemorated regardless of the outcome.
Battle of Thermopylae was a Persian victory. Needless to say it is widely commemorated.
Russians view Sevastopol as their "Hero City", despite losing it (after resisting heroically) twice (1855, 1942).
The Charge of the Light Brigade was a Russian victory; the eponymous poem make it famous and celebrated.
Could Be Worse
Sometimes the defeat is not as bad as it could be.
Dunkirk evacuation was a defeat, but it could have been a disaster instead, so there is a lot to celebrate there, not just commemorate.
Battle of Borodino was a defeat for the Russians, but they preserved the Army and managed to eventually win the war (this item also fits into the second - "bravery" - category).
Baptism of Fire
This is where the Gallipoli Campaign fits for Australia and New Zealand.
Another example is the Defender of the Fatherland Day. On February 23, 1918, the first detachments of what would eventually become the Red Army ran away from the Germans. This was first turned into "fought the first battle", and then into "won the first victory".
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