New Zealand National Service | 1 TUESDAY 31 OCTOBER 2017 TEL BEER SHEVA BE'ER SHEVA, ISRAEL
THE NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL SERVICE COMMEMORATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF BEERSHEBA
Horses watering at the Wadi Hesi on the eve of the Ayun Kara battle, 14 November 1917. Image:National Henry Army Armytage Museum. Sanders, courtesy of the1986-2089 National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mätauranga o Aotearoa: 1/2-012780-G 2 | 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Beersheba New Zealand National Service | 3 The Guard of Honour Foreword saluting General Allenby outside Jerusalem's Jaffa Gate on 11 December 1917. The New Zealanders are on the left. Australian War Memorial. A00573
Nga¯ mihi mahana ki a koutou While they did not suffer the same appalling loss Warm greetings to you all. of life experienced on the Western Front, they still faced the challenges of fighting against a determined Please accept my best wishes for the New Zealand and skilful enemy, coping with extreme heat and commemoration on Tel el Saba – or as it is known cold, and suffering the depredations of disease and today, Tel Be’er Sheva. chronic water shortages. The people of New Zealand are grateful to the As we remember those New Zealanders who fought Israeli Government and the Israel Nature in the Middle East a century ago, we also reflect and Parks Authority for allowing us to hold our on our country’s continuing commitment to support commemoration on this ancient UNESCO the stability and security of this region in order World Heritage site. to enable its people to live in peace and prosperity. One hundred years ago, after a tough fight Ka maumahara tonu ta¯tou ki a ra¯tou with resolute Ottoman defenders, New Zealand We will remember them. Mounted Rifles captured this historic feature, paving the way for the Australian Light Horse charge on Beersheba township. The campaign in the Middle East provided a very different experience for our troops from that experienced by their compatriots on the Western Front. They were not bogged down in trench The Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy, GNZM, QSO warfare, and were able to cover vast distances and Governor-General of New Zealand experience clear-cut victories.
4 | 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Beersheba New Zealand National Service | 5 New Zealand’s involvement in New Zealand’s Involvement the Sinai-Palestine Campaign in the Battle of Beersheba
The Battle of Beersheba in 1917 was part of a On 31 October 1917, the New Zealand Mounted larger operation known as the Third Battle Rifles Brigade was tasked with capturing Tel el Saba of Gaza. Two previous attempts to advance (now known as Tel Beer Sheva), a strategic highpoint. into Ottoman-controlled Palestine had been Capturing the Tel would secure the high ground and unsuccessful. The plan for the Third Battle of remove threats to the east of Beersheba. Gaza was to deceive the Ottomans that British The Canterbury and Auckland Mounted Rifles forces intended yet another frontal assault regiments led the advance on Tel el Saba at 9:10 a.m. against Gaza. The real first objective, however, The Canterburys were sent to envelop the hill from was Beersheba (Be’er Sheva in modern Israel), the north and the Aucklands attacked directly from which was relatively lightly defended. the east. After two hours of slow advance under heavy machine fire, the 1st Australian Light Horse Brigade made an approach on the southern side of the In March 1916, the Egyptian Expeditionary Force From early 1917, the EEF’s objective was to drive Tel in support of the Aucklands. With this support, (EEF) commenced a campaign to clear the Ottoman forces from Palestine. Although attempts coupled with the Canterburys threatening the Sinai Peninsula of Ottoman forces threatening to break through the Ottoman defences at the Tel from the north, the Aucklands charged the the Suez Canal. The EEF, made up of units from First and Second Battles of Gaza ended in failure, first enemy line. Soon after 3:00 p.m. the Auckland across the British Empire, included the 1800- the Third Battle of Gaza in October–November 1917 Mounted Rifles Regiment, reinforced with a strong New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade, the was ultimately successful. Wellington Mounted Rifles squadron and an New Zealand companies of the Imperial Camel After the capture of Jaffa and Jerusalem in late Australian light horse squadron, had captured Corps and a number of smaller units. 1917, raids into Jordan in early 1918 were beaten the Tel. With the fall of Rafah, the EEF had secured the back. After a period on the defensive, a final drive in The capture of Tel el Saba cleared the way for the Sinai Peninsula and removed any threat to the Suez September 1918 led to the rapid fall of what was then Australian Light Horse to make their famous charge Canal and was now poised to invade the Ottoman- known as Palestine, Transjordan and southern Syria. on Beersheba. Eight New Zealand Mounted Rifle held territory of Palestine. Within two weeks, the campaign in the Middle East Ambulance carts coming into Brigade men were killed and 26 wounded, almost was effectively over. New Zealand troops had played shelter, Tel el Saba (Tell es Sabe), Palestine. Powles family: all from the Auckland Mounted Rifles Regiment. a significant role in the Sinai-Palestine campaign but Photographs. Alexander Turnbull at a cost of 1,470 casualties including 543 who died. Library. PA1-q-605-23a-6
6 | 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Beersheba New Zealand National Service | 7 Order of Service
Master of Ceremonies National Anthems Commemorative Address The Last Post Chaplain Class One Anthony Hawes, QHC The National Anthem of the State of Israel –Hatikvah Representative of the State of Israel Sergeant Kevin Hickman and Principal Defence Chaplain Sung by Miss Ron Ribak Private Cameron Robertson Waiata – Te Atua The National Anthem of New Zealand Introduction Sung by the New Zealand Defence Force Poroporoaki – Traditional Farewell Sung by Sergeant David Fiu and the New Zealand Mäori Cultural Group Playing of a conch shell by a member of the New Zealand Defence Force Mäori Cultural Group New Zealand Defence Force Mäori Cultural Group Guidon Party Dismounts Poem The Guidon of the Queen Alexandra’s Mounted heralds the imminent arrival of the Official Party Welcome Warrant Officer Class One Mario Ropitini Rifles is slow marched off to the singing ofP¯o Atarau His Excellency Jonathan Curr The arrival of the Official Party Read by the Regimental Sergeant Major of (Now is the Hour) performed by the New Zealand New Zealand Ambassador to the State of Israel the Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Rifles Defence Force Mäori Cultural Group and vocalist Kaiärahi Commemorative Address The New Zealand Defence Force Mäori Cultural The Laying of Wreaths New Zealand Defence Force Haka – He Taua New Zealand Government representative Group escorts the Official Party onto the Tel Performed by the New Zealand Defence Force The Commemoration contingent Performance Karanga – M¯aori call to Gathering Coming Home The Ode of Remembrance The Official Party Departs Guidon Party Mounts Sung by Sergeant David Fiu, accompanied by Recited in M¯aori by Warrant Officer Bernard Reihana Escorted by the New Zealand Defence Force M¯aori Sergeant Kevin Hickman and Private Cameron The Guidon of the Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Representing the New Zealand Defence Force Cultural Group Robertson Rifles is marched on Recited in English by Mr Clive Collingwood Representing the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association
8 | 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Beersheba New Zealand National Service | 9 Traditions and Customs Acknowledgements
Guidon Party Last Post The New Zealand Government would like to thank The Guidon Party you see today comprises one The Last Post is a bugle call which signals the end the following for their support and assistance with the Guidon Ensign, two Guidon Escorts and a Guidon of the day. It became incorporated into funeral and New Zealand National Service at Tel Beer Sheva Warrant Officer. The original purpose of a Guidon memorial services as a final farewell and symbolises to commemorate the 100th anniversary of New Zealand’s (or Colour) Party was to protect the Guidon from that the duty of the dead is over and they can rest involvement in the Battle of Beersheba and the being taken during battle. Today the Guidon Party in peace. Sinai-Palestine Campaign: is ceremonial in nature and is used to carry the One/Two minute(s) Silence The Government of the State of Israel Guidon on and off parade. One (or two) minutes of silence are held to reflect on The Municipality of Be’er Sheva Guidons and Colours have become the symbol the significance of the day and as a sign of respect. The Israel Nature and Parks Authority of the spirit of a regiment. They bear the battle Flag Protocols The Commonwealth War Graves Commission. honours and badges granted to the regiment in The flag protocol for this service is to fly the national commemoration of the gallant deeds performed flag of Israel flanked by the New Zealand flag. by its members from the time it was raised. Flags are an important symbol of nations and as Ode of Remembrance such should be treated with respect at all times. Many ceremonies of remembrance include a While attending this commemoration is, for many, recitation of the Ode. It is the fourth stanza of an important and patriotic act, please note that ‘flag For The Fallen, a poem written by Lawrence Binyon draping’ (i.e. wearing the flag as a cape or cloak), (1869-1943) in 1914. In New Zealand the fourth allowing the flag to touch the ground, or defacing stanza is first read in te reo Mäori, then in English. the flag by writing on it, are disrespectful acts. It is The Ode has been recited in ceremonies since 1919. important to afford the flags of all nations the respect Visitors should stand, remove headwear and refrain which they deserve as symbols of that nation, and from talking during the reciting of the Ode. of those who have fought and died for that nation.
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