V. Liberation of Le Quesnoy

Nord, France
4 November 1918

After two months of steadily pressing the German line back through the northeastern French countryside, the New Zealand Division reached the town of Le Quesnoy, which had been occupied by the Germans since 1914. Positioned on the high ground between two rivers, the medieval town is fortified with a moat and seventeenth-century ramparts. The New Zealand battlefield memorial is located near where the New Zealanders breached a section of the inner wall with a 30-ft ladder, and within minutes, had control of the town, as well as the river-crossing to the east.

The Divisional Commanders enter Le Quesnoy in the early morning of its capture. (raining)

Hand written inscription reads: "The Divisional Commanders enter Le Quesnoy in the early morning of its capture. (raining) 04/11/18." Photographed by Henry Armytage Bradley Sanders, Ref. PH-ALB-420, Official H Series, Auckland War Memorial Museum - Tamaki Paenga Hira.

V. Liberation of Le Quesnoy