Deputy Minister of Defence Mluleki George will attend the 90th commemoration of the Battle of Delville Wood in France on Sunday, the Ministry of Defence said on Thursday.
During the ceremony — which commemorates the South Africans who perished in World War I — a new South African coat of arms will be unveiled at the South African memorial on the site.
The 1st South African Infantry Brigade, consisting of 3 200 men, entered the wood, which was surrounded by German forces on three sides. After suffering heavy bombardment for six days, they withdrew after running out of ammunition. Only 750 of the men survived.
An altar stone was unveiled at the site in 1952 to commemorate the fallen soldiers, and a memorial museum, managed by the Department of Defence, was opened in 1986.
George will open a new exhibition on the liberation struggle at the museum. The names of members of the South African Labour Corps who died at Arques-la-Bataille and those who perished on board the SAS Mendi will also be unveiled at the museum.
On Monday, George will attend a wreath laying ceremony at Arques-la-Bataille cemetery and town memorial. — Sapa