BATTLE OF CAMBRAI REMEMBRANCE

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29366, 19 November 1960, Page 11

BATTLE OF CAMBRAI REMEMBRANCE

Cambrai Day. which marks the opening day on November 20, 1917, of the Battle of Cambrai in northern France during the First World War, is being* observed tomorrow in a ceremony at the National War Memorial, in Wellington. The da? is of particular significance to soldiers and former isoldiers of armoured units ' throughout the British -Commoni wealth: for the successful early stages of the battle in which the British Third Army was engaged were largely through the em|ployment of tanks. Early gains i did not. however, prove lasting and the main result of Cambrai was the spectacular proof afi forded of how tanks could be ' used successfully. Tank men. past and present will be» represented at tomorrow’s observance in Wellington. In attendance will be Colonel I. T. Galloway, commander of the 4th Armoured Brigade, Lieuten-ant-Colonel R. J. Abbott, director of armour, Army headquarters, .and representatives of the 19th and 20th armoured regi-

ments which fought in the 2nd New Zealand Division in the Second World War. Mr K. W. Fraser, president of the New Zealand Returned Service ? Association and other m~- ers of the National War Memorial Committee will also be there. Appropriate music will be played on the carillon during the ceremony and will include the “Recessional” and “The Flowers of the -Forest.” At noon the “Cambrai Bell” will be tolled and a wreath laid by Colonel Galloway. At Waiouru there will be a parade of Queen Alexandra’s Regiment, the armoured component of the Regular Army Brigade group.

Meanwhile, two Christchurch residents will remember Cambrai Day with special feelings. Mr C. F. Evans. of Riccarton. who served in F. Battalion of the Tank Corps and Mr T. Sime, of Fendalton, who was a sergeant in C. Battalion during the battle 43 years ago. The Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps reached peace-time

regular status last year when Queen Alexandra's Regiment was formed. But the armoured regiments reached their . maturity many years ago. The New Zealand Aj-moured Corps was established on January 1. 1942. when the home defence units known as the Mounted Rifles -Regiments were redesignated as the ■ Ist to

11th Light Armoured Fighting Vehicle Regiments. Although the light armoured fighting vehicles regiments remained in New Zealand throughout the Second World War. other tank units served on toe Italian. Middle East and Pacific fronts. The 4th Armoured Brigade

was formed from the 4th Infantry Brigade, after the disastrous battles of Ruseiwat Ridge in 1942. When the New Zealand Division moved into Italy in 1943. the three armoured regiments of the 4th Brigade went with them. The men of these regiments sailed from New Zealand in 1940 as infantrymen and later changed to armoured regiments at, Maadi to fight through the Italian campaign td Trieste