New Zealand will hold events in Belgium this summer to commemorate its role in the Battle of Messines, a dramatic prelude to the main Allied offensive at Ypres in 1917.
The ceremonies will take place on the 100th anniversary of the massive mine explosions that signalled the start of the successful British and Commonwealth assault on the Wijtschate-Messines ridge.
There will be a morning service at the New Zealand Memorial to the Missing in Messines Ridge British Cemetery, starting at 8am on 7 June 2017.
Australian and Irish ceremonies are also planned.
The day will conclude with a sunset ceremony at the New Zealand Battlefield Memorial, Messines.
New Zealand’s commemorations are open to anyone wishing to remember its service in the First World War, regardless of nationality.
For more details, visit the official New Zealand WW100 website.
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NZ’s new Prime Minister makes early visit to Flanders battlefields.
Source: NZ WW100
Images: Centenary News
Posted by: CN Editorial Team