Wikipedia:WikiAfrica/Stubs/Delville Wood Memorial, Cape Town

The Delville Wood Memorial -is a symbol of braveness which depicts the character and determination of the South African soldiers who lost their lives at the battle of Delville Wood near the village of Longueval in France during the First World War. South Africa entered the war on the 8th of September 1914 on the side of the Allied Forces. The battle of Delville Wood has been described as South Africa's bloodiest battle in military history. The Delville Wood Memorial was thus erected in The Company's Garden, Cape Town, to commemorate the lives of those South African soldiers who lost their lives during the war.

Background

On the 17th of March 1992, the City of Cape Town assumed control over what is now known as the Company's Garden. Since then the city has planted various monuments and statues in the Company's Garden. The Delville Wood Memorial was set up in the Company's Garden to commemorate the lives of South Africa's war heroes who fought during the battle of Delville Wood against the Germans. Located in The Company's Garden at Longitude: S 33. 55.686’ Latitude: E 018. 24.958’, the memorial in Cape Town is made of a stone base and a bronze hose held by two bronze men at the top of the stone pillars. Though significant in commemorating the fallen soldiers of South Africa, the memorial is also a symbol of friendship and corporation between the white races (British and Afrikaans). Another memorial is located in France, at Delville Wood. Sir Percy FitzPatrick, a South African industrialist, advocated for the purchase of the land for the memorial from Frenchman Vicomte Dauger at the sum of £1000. He later donated the land to the government of the Union of South Africa.

History

The battle for Delville Wood began on 14th of July 1916 when the 28th Infantry Scottish brigade had faced stiff opposition from the Germans. In what is described as the Battle of Bazentin Ridge, the Allied forces intended to seize the German position at Longueval to occupier Delville Wood positions.. This unsuccessful move led to the posting of the South African Barrage, led by Sir Henry Timson Lukins, which quickly advanced and occupied Delville Wood. When the South African Barrage entered Delville Wood on the 15th of July 1916, in a battle that lasted for three days, many men lost their lives in an effort to secure Delville Wood.There are controversies as to the number of South African soldiers who died in what has been described as South Africa’s most bloodiest battle since the 20th Century.

See also

• The Battle of Delville wood
• The Battle of Somme

External links

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