2 New Zealand soldiers of the 4th battalion of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, , in the market square of Le Quesnoy the day after the town was liberated Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington Ref: 13704 3 Capture of the walls of Le Quesnoy by George Edmund Butler, painted in 1920 Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington Ref: NCWA_00535

4 NEW ZEALAND AND THE LIBERATION OF LE QUESNOY

Late in the afternoon of 4 , riflemen from the 3rd New Zealand (Rifle) Brigade successfully assaulted the fortress town of Le Quesnoy and subdued the German soldiers within. The capture of the French town and liberation of its civilian population one week before the Armistice counts among New Zealand’s most celebrated achievements of the First World War.

The attack on Le Quesnoy was part of a major offensive launched across a 50-kilometre front on 4 November by the British First, Third and Fourth Armies. The was at this time attached to the Third Army and faced serious obstacles in its planned advance, chief among them the town of Le Quesnoy.

Le Quesnoy had been under German occupation since August 1914, and several thousand German troops were still inside the town as the New Zealand forces approached. Due to the presence of a civilian population, the New Zealanders decided not to employ heavy artillery in the attack. Instead, the 3rd New Zealand (Rifle) Brigade would encircle the town and isolate the enemy forces within. Meanwhile, the infantry would advance eastwards and push the front line forward beyond Le Quesnoy.

Within a few hours of the start of the battle, Le Quesnoy was surrounded. Though their orders did not specify an immediate assault on the town, the riflemen nevertheless looked to capture it. Advancing under enemy fire, a section of the 4th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade eventually reached the inner walls of the town. They had successfully scaled the outer ramparts with a ladder but the inner walls were higher. By positioning their ladder on a narrow ledge atop a sluice gate they were able to reach the top. Lieutenant Leslie Averill was the first up the ladder and he was quickly followed by a small group of men. Soon the whole battalion had entered the town by this means. They were followed shortly thereafter by the 2nd Battalion, which gained access through the Gate.

5 New Zealanders in a strong point on the railway just outside Le Quesnoy Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington Ref: 13688-1/2

6 A few shots were exchanged with fleeing Germans, but fighting inside the town was minimal and the garrison quickly surrendered. The local inhabitants were overjoyed at their release from four years under occupation and jubilantly welcomed the New Zealand soldiers. The liberation of the town capped what was the most successful day for the New Zealand Division on the Western Front, with nearly 2000 Germans taken prisoner and 60 field guns captured. It was also their last significant action; a week later, the war ended. These achievements were not without loss. In all, at least 140 New Zealanders died as a result of the day’s action, about 80 of whom belonged to the Rifle Brigade.

A century on, the liberation of Le Quesnoy continues to resonate with New Zealanders and French alike. Its significance lies not in the battle itself, but in its continued remembrance by the people of Le Quesnoy who have never forgotten their liberation at the hands of New Zealand soldiers.

7 ORDER OF SERVICE

The Arrival Official guests

The Honourable Ron Mark Minister of Defence and Minister for Veterans representing the Government

Her Excellency Mrs Sylvaine Carta-Le Vert Ambassador Embassy of France

Nicola Willis MP representing the Leader of the Opposition

Air Marshal Kevin Short and Mrs Sherryll Short Chief of Defence Force

Councillor Chris Calvi-Freeman representing the of Wellington

Rear Admiral Jack Steer ONZM (Rtd) Chief Executive Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association

8 Members of the Official Party arrive and are welcomed at Anzac Square by:

Rear Admiral David Ledson ONZM (Rtd) Chair National War Memorial Advisory Council

Renee Graham Acting Chief Executive Ministry for Culture and Heritage

The Official Party are escorted up the steps to the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior

Respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior Whakamaharatanga, the Remembrance Bell, is tolled four times as the Official Party pays its respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior

Karanga Karanga by June Jackson MNZM, supported by Alex Watson, Taranaki Whānui, as the Official Party moves up into the foyer of the Hall of Memories

Please stand

Processional Peace Bell Rangimārie tolls as the Official Party proceeds to the front of the Hall of Memories to their seats

Regimental Colour of 2nd/1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment marched in

9 National Anthems The National Anthem of France, followed by the New Zealand National Anthem sung by Voix de femmes

France Allons enfants de la patrie, Let’s go children of the fatherland, Le jour de gloire est arrivé ! The day of glory has arrived! Contre nous de la tyrannie Against us tyranny’s L’étendard sanglant est levé ! (bis) Bloody flag is raised! (repeat) Entendez-vous dans les campagnes, In the countryside, do you hear Mugir ces féroces soldats ? The roaring of these fierce soldiers? Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras They come right to your arms Égorger vos fils, et vos To slit the throats of your sons, and compagnes! your wives!

Aux armes, citoyens ! Grab your weapons, citizens! Formez vos bataillons ! Form your battalions! Marchons ! Marchons ! Let us march! Let us march! Qu’un sang impur May impure blood Abreuve nos sillons ! Water our fields!

New Zealand E Ihowā Atua, God of nations, at thy feet, O ngā iwi mātou rā In the bonds of love we meet; Āta whakarangona; Hear our voices we entreat, Me aroha noa God defend our free land! Kia hua ko te pai; Guard Pacific’s triple star Kia tau tō atawhai; From the shafts of strife and war, Manaakitia mai Make her praises heard afar; Aotearoa God Defend New Zealand!

10 Uniformed personnel salute

Please be seated

Welcome Brodie Stubbs Manager Memorials and Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Opening Prayer Chaplain Class One Anthony Hawes Principal Defence Chaplain

Address The Honourable Ron Mark, on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand

Vocal Item Voix de femmes sings “Heavenly Light” by A. Kopylow arranged by Peter Wilhousky

Historical Reading Her Excellency Mrs Sylvaine Carta-Le Vert delivers a reading which details events on the day of the unveiling of the New Zealand memorial in Le Quesnoy on 21 July 1923, “L’inaugauration du monument aux morts”.

11 Readings by Youth Representatives

Ben McHardy Eleana Hill Le Chant De L’Honneur Song of Honour

O poètes des temps à venir ô chanteurs O poets O singers of times to come Je chante la beauté de toutes nos douleurs I sing of the beauty of our many sorrows J’en ai saisi des traits mais vous saurez bien mieux Fleetingly have I caught it yet far better than I Donner un sens sublime aux gestes glorieux Will you give sublime meaning to these acts of glory Et fixer la grandeur de ces trépas pieux And capture the greatness of death made holy

L’un qui détend son corps en jetant des grenades A man throws grenades his whole body poised L’autre ardent à tirer nourrit les fusillades Another eager to shoot joins in the shooting L’autre les bras ballants porte des seaux de vin Another arms dangling bears buckets of wine Et le prêtre-soldat dit le secret divin And the priest-soldier shares the secret divine

J’interprète pour tous la douceur des trois notes For ye all I will tell how sweet the three notes Que lance un loriot canon quand tu sanglotes The oriole canon sings while you sob

Qui donc saura jamais que de fois j’ai pleuré Who will ever know how often I have wept Ma génération sur ton trépas sacré My generation for your sacred gift

Prends mes vers ô ma France Avenir Multitude Take my verses O my France and you Multitudes to Chantez ce que je chante un chant pur le prélude Come Des chants sacrés que la beauté de notre temps Sing what I sing ‘tis a pure song a prelude Saura vous inspirer plus purs plus éclatants To the sacred songs that the beauty of our time Que ceux que je m’efforce à moduler ce soir Will inspire you to sing still more pure and bright En l’honneur de l’Honneur la beauté du Devoir Than those I strive for tonight In honour of Honour the beauty of Duty 17 décembre 1915 Guillaume Apollinaire 17 December 1915 Translated by Sophie Caroline de Margerie

One stanza will be read in French, followed by the translation in English, until the poem is complete

12 Prayer of Peace Chaplain Class One Anthony Hawes Principal Defence Chaplain

Laying of Wreaths Wreaths are laid by the following:

The Honourable Ron Mark Minister of Defence and Minister for Veterans on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand

Her Excellency Mrs Sylvaine Carta-Le Vert Ambassador on behalf of the Government and people of France

Commander Guy Haywood, RN UK Defence Adviser on behalf of the Government and people of the United Kingdom

First Secretary Wolfgang Rainer Hügson on behalf of the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Germany

Nicola Willis MP on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition

Air Vice-Marshal Kevin Short and Mrs Sherryll Short Chief of Defence Force on behalf of the men and women of the New Zealand Defence Force and their families

Councillor Chris Calvi-Freeman on behalf of the City of Wellington

13 Rear Admiral Jack Steer ONZM (Rtd) on behalf of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association

Eleana Hill and Ben McHardy on behalf of the Youth of France and New Zealand

The Commemoration

Please stand

The Last Post The Bugler sounds “The Last Post” Uniformed personnel salute

The flags of France and New Zealand are lowered to half-mast on the forecourt

The Ode James Adlam Cultural Cooperation Assistant Embassy of France

Ils ne vieilliront pas comme nous, qui leur avons survécu. Ils ne connaîtront jamais l’outrage ni le poids des années. Quand viendra l’heure du crépuscule et celle de l’aurore, nous nous souviendrons d’eux.

Réponse: “Nous nous souviendrons d’eux”

14 Warrant Officer Bernie Reihana New Zealand Defence Force

E kore rātou e kaumātuatia Pēnei i a tātou kua mahue nei E kore hoki rātou e ngoikore Ahakoa pēhea i ngā āhuatanga o te wā. I te hekenga atu o te rā Tae noa ki te aranga mai i te ata Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou.

Response: “Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou”

Rear Admiral (Rtd) Jack Steer ONZM Chief Executive Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them

Response: “We will remember them”

One minute’s silence

15 The Rouse The Bugler sounds “Rouse”

The flags of France and New Zealand, on the forecourt, are returned to full mast

Benediction and Dismissal Chaplain Class One Anthony Hawes Principal Defence Chaplain

Regimental Colour of 2nd/1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment are marched out

Recessional Led by the Chaplain, the Official Party proceed to the foyer

In the foyer The Honourable Ron Mark and Her Excellency Mrs Sylvaine Carta-Le Vert, are invited to sign the Visitors Book

After pausing for introductions the Official Party proceeds out to the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior

Fern Tributes are laid on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior The Honourable Ron Mark and Her Excellency Mrs Sylvaine Carta-Le Vert, place ferns on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior

Guests may place poppies on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior

Departure Members of the Official Party and invited guests are escorted to the refreshment area, Great War Exhibition, Dominion Museum Building for refreshments

16 New Zealand flag presented to the town of Le Quesnoy on the Town Hall, which was partly destroyed by bombing during Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington Ref: 13787-1/2

17 ‘Poincare comes to Le Quesnoy’ - troops marching through the bombed town of Le Quesnoy. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington Ref: F- 17543-1/4

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