SA military remembers World War I Delville Wood battle

There are only 51 South African graves at Delville Wood

IT WAS a sombre occasion at Burgers Park when the South African military remembered its participation in the 1916 Battle of Delville Wood during World War I.

The SANDF marked the day with the laying of wreaths at a memorial service hosted by the Pretoria Memorial Services Council yesterday .

Council chairperson Marina Valentine said the day was important in the military calendar to commemorate the 101st anniversary of the Battle of Delville Wood, part of the Battle of the Somme.

The battle was fought in and around the French village of Longueval from July 15-19 1916.

Valentine said the occasion was hosted to give people living in the Capital City an opportunity to remember the brave deeds of those who sacrificed their all.

“On the evening of the 15th July 1916, the South African Brigade was called upon to assist in clearing the village of Longueval and to capture the Delville Wood adjacent to this village,” she said.

The South African Brigade numbered 3 153 men, 121 officers and 3 032 other ranks.

By the morning of July 19, 1916, 1 080 men were dead and 1 735 were wounded, said Valentine.

She said only 338 officers and men came out of the battle unscathed.

“The wood itself with its dense undergrowth also suffered from the heavy artillery shelling and was reduced to a few stumps and broken branches half buried in mud,” she said.

The wood had to be replanted twice in attempts to get it back to its original condition. There are only 51 South African graves at Delville Wood.

There were not sufficient remains of the other 1 029 dead soldiers to bury.

After being harassed by German snipers and heavy bombardment, the South Africans recaptured Longueval, which was by then reduced to ruins.

The Brigade then moved into Delville Wood, meeting fierce resistance and more heavy bombardment.

“There were no reinforcements, much suffering, numerous acts of bravery and an excessively heavy toll,” Valentine said.

The battle is the most famous in SA military history.

Picture: THOBILE MATHONSI SALUTE: Dignitaries and senior officers of the South African National Defence Force attended the annual Delville Wood memorial service and wreath laying ceremony at Burgers Park.