// Passchendaele
- The Belgians Have Not Forgotten
Passchendaele was the worst military disaster in New Zealand’s history—our blackest day. After just two hours of battle on 12 October 1917, more than 2,800 New Zealanders were wounded, declared missing, or dead.
Passchendaele
The number of Kiwi deaths that day—more than 850—was greater than the combined toll of the eruption of Mt Tarawera, the Hawke’s Bay earthquake, the Tangiwai rail disaster, the sinking of the Wahine, and the Erebus plane crash.
This year’s 92nd anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele saw a moving sunset ceremony held at Fort Takapuna in sight of 5,000 crosses erected on the former parade ground in remembrance of the New Zealand lives lost in Belgium. In his address, the Belgian Ambassador, Mr Patrick Renault pointed out that although it was sunset in New Zealand it was sunrise in Belgium, when 92 years to the minute, the New Zealand Division was given the order to attack Belle Vue Ridge in what was to become a supreme sacrifice.
A Passchendaele March Past and Review was also held in Takapuna. Present were New Zealand Prime Minister John Key; Minister of Defence, Dr Wayne Mapp; Belgian Ambassador, Mr Patrick Renault; and local Mayors.
At the head of the March Past were Return Service Association members, and citizens of both New Zealand and Belgium. Following them were Defence Force personnel from 3rd Auckland Northland Battalion Group, HMNZS PHILOMEL and RNZAF Base Auckland, with Army and Sea Cadets completing the parade.
In his speech, the Prime Minister spoke about the similar roles that both Belgium and New Zealand now play in peace-keeping activities throughout the world.