What happened during Le Quesnoy?
The Germans held Le Quesnoy for almost the entire war, from August 1914 through to its dramatic liberation on 4 November 1918. The New Zealanders scaled a ladder set against the ancient walls of the town and took the remaining Germans as prisoners.
How long was the battle of Le Quesnoy?
77 days
As the only colonial division in the British Third Army, it was to lead that army’s “March to Victory in 1918”. Over 77 days, from Hebuterne to Le Quesnoy, the New Zealanders led the way for 49 of the 56 hard fought miles to Le Quesnoy.
How many soldiers died at Le Quesnoy?
Of the 122 New Zealanders who died during the capture of Le Quesnoy, the Rifle Brigade sustained the most losses, with 43 men killed and 251 wounded. Other units of the New Zealand Division involved in the battle lost 79 men killed and about 125 wounded.
What happened during the liberation of Le Quesnoy?
On November 4 in 1918, New Zealand soldiers liberated the small French town of Le Quesnoy. The New Zealand Division, on their own, liberated this occupied town in World War I without any loss of life to the French civilian population, and they did so in a very unusual manner, just a week before the end of the war.
Where in NZ is the National War Museum?
Wellington
The National War Memorial of New Zealand is located next to the New Zealand Dominion Museum building on Buckle Street, in Wellington, the nation’s capital. The war memorial was dedicated in 1932 on Anzac Day in commemoration of the First World War.
Who liberated Le Quesnoy?
New Zealand Division
History. On 4 November 1918, the New Zealand Division liberated Le Quesnoy, a town of some 3000 people in north east France. It had endured four hard years of occupation since the German advance in August 1914.
What is NZ history?
The history of New Zealand (Aotearoa) dates back to between 1320 and 1350 CE, when the main settlement period started, after it was discovered and settled by Polynesians, who developed a distinct Māori culture. The first European explorer known to visit New Zealand was Dutch navigator Abel Tasman on 13 December 1642.
When was the Wellington War Memorial built?
The Wellington memorial was built in 1930 or 1931, but the Depression and Second World War delayed work on the Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin memorials until the 1960s. Most of the men listed on the Wellington memorial died at sea, including many who succumbed to influenza during the 1918 pandemic.
Who discovered New Zealand First?
Abel Tasman
Abel Tasman was the first of the European explorers known to have reached New Zealand, in December 1642.
Who settled New Zealand First?
Māori were the first to arrive in New Zealand, journeying in canoes from Hawaiki about 1,000 years ago. A Dutchman, Abel Tasman, was the first European to sight the country but it was the British who made New Zealand part of their empire.
Where is the NZ Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?
The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior is part of the New Zealand National War Memorial on Buckle Street, Wellington.
Why was the war memorial built?
Charles Bean, Australia’s war correspondant envisaged a national war memorial, to commemorate the Australian soldiers and their sacrifice. The Depression and the Second World War delayed building works, but the Australian War Memorial was opened on the 11 November 1941, the 23rd anniversary of the end of WWI.
When was Le Quesnoy captured by New Zealand?
Page 1 – Introduction. Just a week before the end of the First World War in November 1918, the New Zealand Division captured the French town of Le Quesnoy. It was the New Zealanders’ last major action in the war. To this day, the town of Le Quesnoy continues to mark the important role that New Zealand played in its history.
Why was the Battle of Le Quesnoy important?
The capture of Le Quesnoy was the last major engagement of the war for the New Zealanders. By mid-1918, the German Army had been fought to a standstill after its Spring Offensive and the Allies had sought to take the initiative.
Where was the front line at Le Quesnoy?
On 3 November, the New Zealand Division section of the front line was around 2,500 yards (2,300 m) in length, running southwards from a level crossing on the Valenciennes railway line. It was 400 yards (370 m) from the Cambrai railway, with the ramparts of Le Quesnoy a further 400 yards (370 m) to the east.
What was the German position in Le Quesnoy?
Le Quesnoy was in the sector of Army Group Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria, with the area garrisoned by the German 22nd Division. The division was well understrength. Its Infantry Regiment 167 held the main defensive position, along the Cambrai railway line to the west of Le Quesnoy. This was the main line of defence for the Germans.