Centenary of the Battle of Messines

Messines refers to a ridge south of the town of Ypres (Ieper today) captured by 12 British, Australian and New Zealand divisions on 7 June 1917. Thanks to careful planning, the capture of Messines Ridge was a stunning success and paved the way for the main attack later in the summer by removing German forces from the dominating ground on the southern face of the Ypres Salient. New Zealand suffered 3,000 casualties and 700 deaths at Messines (Mesen today).

A number of ceremonies, events and activites were planned to mark the centenary of this battle. Here's how you can learn more about this significant chapter in New Zealand's Western Front campaign:

• Watch a recording of the live stream of the domestic ceremony at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington from 7 June 2017
• Information about the New Zealand national commemoration at Mesen, Belgium
• Activities, projects and events related to Messines
• Discover the story of the New Zealanders at Messines with Ngā Tapuwae New Zealand First World War Trails
• History of Messines on NZHistory
• Images of Messines and the centenary commemorations, free for you to use