*VIRTUAL TOUR - The Somme Offensive Continued* New Zealand National Memorial

NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL MEMORIAL


The Memorial stands on what was switch trench, at the junction of the present roads from Longueval to Flers and to Courcelette, between Delville and High Woods; it commemorates the attack which started on the 15th September 1916 and lasted for 23 days. It takes the usual New Zealand form of a column standing on a projecting base in which are four panels. On the front of the column itself are engraved the words:
In Honour of the men of the New Zealand Division. First Battle of the Somme, 1916 
The same is engraved in French at the back of the column. Like the other obelisks it is made of Nebrasina stone from Italy, with the inscription:
From the Uttermost Ends of the Earth 
On a plinth at its base, as well as a badge incorporating a fern leaf superimposed on a crossed taiaha with a frame of Maori carving surrounding the words New Zealand. On the back panel are engraved the words:
New Zealand Division, Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, Otago 
On one side panel is engraved the following sentence:
The New Zealand Division, after gaining this position as their first objective, launched from it the successful attack on Flers, 15th September 1916 

These words are reproduced in French on the other side panel.


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