South African National Memorial, Delville Wood, France

The South African National Memorial in Delville Wood, near Longueval, is stunning. No other word for it. This short video hopefully shows it at its best without glossing over the fact it is a Memorial to 10,000 South African fallen soldiers.

The assualt on 'Devils' Wood', then called Bois d'Elville took place in July 1916. For five days the South Africans conducted a bitter battle among the trees and water filled shell holes. Despite every effort, part of the wood remained uncaptured when the South Africans were relieved on 20 July. It was not finally cleared until 27 August.

In the fighting, the South African Brigade lost over 2,300 men. Today, the Memorial commemorates not only the 10,000 South African dead of the First World War, but other major conflicts as well including the Second World War and Korea.

Delville Wood, (renamed because the troops called it 'Devil's Wood') remained the most costly action the South African Brigade fought on the Western Front.

Please take a look at Video History Today http://www.videohistorytoday.com , the first web site to offer unique collections of re-usable original video clips designed for teachers and students.

The idea behind Video History Today is to give schools the raw material to make mini-documentaries and video essays on historical subjects.

Initial packages focus on World War I (Somme and Ieper areas), The Holocaust, the American Civil War and D-Day & Normandy 1944.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• south
• africa
• war
• memorial
• delville
• wood
• france
• world
• one

[acpren]

Lots of respect for the fallen.

What a peaceful setting for a truly beautiful memorial.

[rooigladiator]

My Oupa het hier geveg