Battle of Messines – speech New Zealandceremony
Mister the Governor-chancellor,
Madam the Ambassador, Ambassadors,
Excellencies,
Generals, Admirals,
Mayors,
Members of the Commonwealth - Belgian Joint Committee,
Dearguests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It iswith the utmosthonourthat I ampresentheretoday at the New Zealand National Commemoration for the centenary(uitspraak: sen-ˈte-nə-rē) of the Battle of Messines.
Only few people today can imagine the horror of war that millions of soldiers have experienced. Far from their homes, they were fighting for peace, defending our values and securing our future. Too many young men died in the fields that lay now so peaceful and so green. As a silent witness of the horror of war theNew ZealandMemorial to the Missingcommemorates over 800 soldiers of the New ZealandExpeditionary Force whodied in or near Messines in 1917 and 1918 and who have no known grave.
A 100 years ago this exact location was the scène of the battle of Messines, the best-prepared and most complete success of any major Western Front attack by the Allies to that stage of the war. For two years Australian, British and Canadian miners had engaged in subterranean warfare digging an intricate tunnel system under the enemy’s front line. The Allies used these tunnels to further tactical advantage, packing massive charges of the explosive ammonal to obliterate enemy defences.Jumping-off trenches were dug at night, transport facilities were developed and material was stockpiled. Infantrymen practised the assault behind the lines on ground similar to that they would traverse. All the while the gunners battered the enemy front line, as well as searching for and neutralising German artillery batteries. In the early morning of the 7thjune 1917 nineteen mines exploded at the same time. These massive mine explosions surprised the enemy giving an important strategic advantage to the British, Australian and New-Zealand troops.It is only through the collaboration across nations that the enemy could be defeated.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As minister of Defense, I take my responsibility of commemorating the war in our country very seriously. Our nation will continue to pay tribute to the spirit of solidarity and sacrifice of thesesoldiers. Weremaintrulygrateful for their help during the mostprecarious times in world history, and wewillmake sure thattheir sacrifices are alwaysremembered and honored, by transmittingtheirpersonal stories to ouryoungergenerations.
Thank you for your attention.
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