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Remembering NZ's worst day at war

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff ,
Publish Date
Mon, 12 Oct 2015, 10:10AM

Remembering NZ's worst day at war

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff ,
Publish Date
Mon, 12 Oct 2015, 10:10AM

New Zealanders are being asked to remember those who served on World War I's Western Front.

A ceremony will be held this morning to commemorate those who fought in the Battle of Passchendaele.

845 New Zealanders died in the battle on this day in 1917.

Auckland University historian Felicity Barnes says we may focus on Gallipoli, but we shouldn't forget the blackest day in our military history.

"The concentration on Gallipoli has led us to sort of underplay or even forget the extent of the service on the Western Front."

She said it's an important day in our nation's history, and one we shouldn't forget.

"That's really the deadliest one day of military engagement New Zealand has ever been involved in."

Leading up to the 12th of October in 1917 Allied forces made modest advances, as part of a wider campaign around the Belgian city of Ypres. 

However on the day in question a German counterattack resulted in most of the ground around Passchendaele being retaken. Heavy rain and mud added to the misery of the soldiers. 

The ceremony starts at Auckland War Memorial Museum at 11am.

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