This year ANZAC Day commemorates the centenary of two important events during the First World War – the Battle of the Somme and the arrival of a New Zealand army recruiting team in Tonga.
The Tongans were among many Pacific islanders who served in the New Zealand, Australian, or French armed forces during the First World War.
Most of the initial volunteers from Tonga were Europeans or part-Europeans who joined the British, New Zealand or Australian armies.
In 1916, a recruiting team visited Tonga and persuaded a number of men to sign up.
Many volunteers from Tonga served with Maori or Cook Islands units.
While the disastrous Gallipoli campaign is traditionally the focus of ANZAC Day, the western front in France and Belgium was where most Australian and New Zealand units served as part of the British army.
On July 1, 1916, the Allies launched a massive attack on the German lines in the Somme River area of France. The attack was a disaster, which left 60,000 British troops dead or wounded on the first day.
The New Zealand Division was committed to the battle in September. Of the 15,000 men who went into action 6000 were wounded and 2000 killed. More than half of them have no known grave.
The Battle of the Somme dragged on for four months before the winter rains turned the ground into such a quagmire that movement was impossible.
By the time the attack was called off, more than 600,000 British and French soldiers were killed, wounded or missing in action. The Germans lost more than 650,000 soldiers. After more than one million soldiers on both sides had been killed or wounded, the allies had advanced just eight kilometres
A statement from the New Zealand High Commission in Tonga said April 25 had become a day of national reflection.
“Tongans, New Zealanders and Australians pause to remember and honour men and women who have served and sacrificed in war, conflicts and peace operations.
“It is a time to remember those who returned and those who did not and also reflect on the impact their service had on those who remained at home.”
To commemorate ANZAC day in Tonga, a dawn service will be held at 6am on Monday 25 April at the cenotaph at Pangai.
Captain Sila Siufanga, Regional Commander of the Salvation Army, will be the Officiating Minister.
Those attending are asked to be seated by 5.45am. Medals may be worn.
The main points
- This year ANZAC Day marks the centenary of two important events during the First World War – the Battle of the Somme and the arrival of a New Zealand army recruiting team in Tonga.
- The Tongans were among many Pacific islanders who served in the New Zealand, Australian, or French armed forces during the First World War.
- In 1916, a recruiting team visited Tonga and persuaded a number of men to sign up.
- Many volunteers from Tonga served with Maori or Cook Islands units.
Read more
http://kanivatonga.co.nz/2015/04/tongans-remember-volunteers-from-the-islands-who-served-in-first-world-war/
Christine Liava’a Koe Kau To’a Na’anau Poletau. Valiant Volunteers: Soldiers from Tonga in the Great War. You can contact the author at [email protected] if you would like to buy her book.
Passion for History (Fiji Times interview with Christine Liava’a)
WWI: Tongan soldiers struggled in a strange land (New Zealand Herald)
Anzac Day in the Pacific
