NATIONAL COMMEMORATION FOR THE CENTENARY OF THE BATTLE OF BEERSHEBA REMEMBRANCE REMEMBRANCE P E A C E PUKEAHU NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL PARK 31 OCTOBER 2017 The evening before the attack, 30 October 1917. Reading secret orders to No.2 Troop before Beersheba. Image courtesy of Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, PH-ALB-213-p63-2. 2 3 Moving On In this war we're always moving, Moving on; When we make a friend another friend has gone; Should a woman's kindly face Make us welcome for a space, Then its boot and saddle, Boys, we're Moving on. In the hospitals they're moving, Moving on; They're here to-day, to-morrow they are gone; When the bravest and the best Of the Boys you know "Go West," Then you're choking down your tears and Moving on. A. B. Paterson 4 Horses and troopers weary after the taking of Beersheba, November 1917. Image courtesy of Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, PH-ALB-213-p45-4. 5 The Battle of Beersheba and the Sinai-Palestine Campaign The Battle of Beersheba (Be’er Sheva in New Zealand companies of the Imperial modern Israel), fought on 31 October 1917, Camel Corps, advanced slowly across was a turning point in the struggle between the harsh Sinai desert, building a water the British and Ottoman Empires in the pipeline and railway as it went. The New Middle East during the First World War. New Zealanders played a prominent role, notably Zealand mounted troops played a key role in at the battles of Romani (3–4 August 1916), securing this victory. Magdhaba (23 December 1916) and Rafah (9 January 1917). New Zealand forces saw their first action of the war in early 1915 when the Ottomans The British were now poised to invade launched an unsuccessful attack on the the Ottoman territory of Palestine. An Suez Canal in Egypt – a vital transport initial assault against Gaza on 26 March artery linking the Indian Ocean and the 1917 almost succeeded but the EEF’s Mediterranean Sea. Between April 1916 and headquarters, mistakenly believing the January 1917, the Egyptian Expeditionary attempt had failed and fearing a counter- Force (EEF), made up of units from across the attack, ordered a retreat. It was a bitter British Empire, fought a long and gruelling blow to the New Zealanders, who had all campaign in the Sinai Peninsula. but captured the town when ordered to withdraw. The EEF tried again three weeks The EEF, which included the 1800-strong later, but the Second Battle of Gaza was a New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade and disaster. H M McFarlane, ‘Panoramic sketch of Waddi-el-Guzze, 1917’. Image courtesy of the National Collection of War Art, Archives New Zealand, Ref: AAAC 898 NCWA Q462 6 The Third Battle of Gaza began six months the Ottoman trenches and into the town. later. With the Ottomans expecting another The EEF now sought to trap the main frontal assault, the much reinforced EEF Ottoman forces defending Gaza, but lack of instead targeted Beersheba, deep inland to water and skilful rearguard actions allowed the south-east. After an overnight march, on most enemy troops to escape. It would be the morning of 31 October 1917 three British almost a year before Ottoman resistance infantry divisions attacked Beersheba’s main in Palestine was finally broken during the defences. This kept the bulk of the Ottoman Battle of Megiddo, which began on 19 garrison occupied while the Australian and September 1918. Following this decisive Anzac Mounted Divisions rode in a wide arc defeat the Ottoman Empire accepted an to the east and north-east to attack the town armistice, which took effect on 31 October from the rear. 1918. The New Zealand Mounted Rifle Brigade’s By First World War standards the human objective was the redoubt on Tel el Saba, cost in the Middle East was light: the which dominated the town’s eastern New Zealanders suffered 1470 casualties, approaches. After six hours of hard fighting including 543 dead. While the Sinai-Palestine the position was captured by 3 p.m. As Campaign was a sideshow compared to Ottoman resistance faltered, the 4th the titanic struggle on the Western Front, Australian Light Horse Brigade carried out a the collapse of Ottoman power would have famous horseback charge straight through immense long-term consequences. 7 Ambulance carts coming into shelter, Tel el Saba (Tell es Sabe), Palestine. Image courtesy of Alexander Turnbull Library. Photographed by Charles Guy Powles in 1917. Ref: PA1-q-605-23a-6 8 Order of Service The Arrival Respects paid at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior As the Official Party pauses to pay their respects at the Tomb, Whakamaharatanga, the Remembrance Bell, is tolled four times Karanga Karanga is called by June Jackson MNZM, Taranaki Whānui, as the Official Party proceeds into the Hall of Memories PLEASE STAND Processional The Peace Bell, Rangimārie, is tolled as the Official Party processes into the Hall of Memories, led by the Principal Chaplain, Operations National Anthems HaTikva The National Anthem of Israel is sung by Pasquale Orchard Kol ‘od balevav penimah Nefesh Yehudi homiyah, Ul(e)fa’atei mizrach kadimah, ‘Ayin leTziyon tzofiyah; ‘Od lo avdah tikvateinu, Hatikvah bat sh(e)not ’alpayim, Lihyot ‘am chofshi b(e)’artzeinu, ’Eretz-Tziyon viY(e)rushalayim. 9 As long as in the heart, within, A Jewish soul still yearns, And onward, towards the ends of the east, an eye still gazes toward Zion; Our hope is not yet lost, The hope two thousand years old, To be a free nation in our land, The land of Zion and Jerusalem. God Defend New Zealand The New Zealand National Anthem is sung by the Anon Vocal Ensemble E Ihowā Atua, O ngā iwi mātou rā Āta whakarangona; Me aroha noa Kia hua ko te pai; Kia tau tō atawhai; Manaakitia mai Aotearoa God of Nations at Thy feet, In the bonds of love we meet, Hear our voices, we entreat, God defend our free land. Guard Pacific's triple star From the shafts of strife and war, Make her praises heard afar, God defend New Zealand PLEASE BE SEATED 10 Welcome Brodie Stubbs, Master of Ceremonies Ministry for Culture & Heritage Prologue Rear Admiral David Ledson ONZM (Rtd) Chair, National War Memorial Advisory Council Address Government Representative Vocal Item Anon Vocal Ensemble sings 'Lord, For Thy Tender Mercy’s Sake' Address Kasa Bainesay Harbor Charge d’Affairs Embassy of Israel Reading Jacob Masseurs New Zealand Youth Representative Prayer of Remembrance Chaplain Class Two Peter Olds, RNZN New Zealand Defence Force 11 Wreath Laying Wreaths are laid by the following: Government Representative on behalf of the Government and People of New Zealand Kasa Bainesay Harbor Charge d’Affairs Embassy of Israel on behalf of the Government and People of Israel His Excellency Leasi Papali’i Tommy Scanlan Dean of the Diplomatic Corps on behalf of the Diplomatic Corps Andrew Cumpston Acting Australian High Commissioner on behalf of the Government and People of Australia Representative of the Leader of the Opposition on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition Lieutenant General Tim Keating MNZM Chief of Defence Force and Mrs Brenda Keating on behalf of members of the New Zealand Defence Force and their families Councillor Simon Marsh on behalf of the City of Wellington 12 BJ Clark QSM National President Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association on behalf of all Veterans and their families Jacob Masseurs and Hadas Mayron on behalf of the Youth of New Zealand and Israel PLEASE STAND 13 The Commemoration The Last Post Uniformed personnel salute The flags of New Zealand and State of Israel are lowered to half mast on the Forecourt The Ode John Purcell E kore rātou e koroheketia 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 BJ Clark 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 SILENCE 14 The Rouse The flags of New Zealand and State of Israel are raised to full mast head on the Forecourt Re-dedication of New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade Plaque Chaplain Class Two Peter Olds re-dedicates the plaque Benediction and Dismissal Chaplain Class Two Peter Olds delivers the Benediction and Dismissal Recessional Led by the Chaplain, the Official Party proceeds from the Sanctuary to the Foyer. The Government Representative and Charge d’Affairs of Israel are invited to sign the Visitors’ Book. After pausing for introductions, the Official Party proceeds out to the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior Floral tributes laid on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior The Government Representative and Charge d’Affairs of Israel place ferns on the mantle of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior Other members of the Official Party, veterans and other guests are invited to place poppies on the Tomb The Departure The Official Party proceeds down the steps to Anzac Square and are farewelled The Catafalque Guard dismounts This National Commemorative Service was arranged by the Visits and Ceremonial Office, Department of Internal Affairs, in partnership with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, the New Zealand Defence Force, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Protocol Division), and the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association 15 .