This Day in History: July 16, 2006
Additional Date: July 16, 2006
Mluleki George, SA deputy defence minister, attended the 90th commemoration of the Battle of Delville Wood in France, which raged from 15 to 20 July 1916. Thousands lost their lives in a fierce battle in the woods, dubbed by South African soldiers as the 'Devil's Woods'. During the commemoration ceremony, a new South African coat of arms was unveiled at the South African memorial on the site.
The names of Black members of the South African Labour Corps who died at Arques-la-Bataille and those who perished on board the SAS Mendi were also unveiled at the memorial museum, managed by the defence department and opened in 1986.
The SA government had bought the wood in 1920 and erected a monument, which was unveiled on 10 October 1926 by the widow of Gen. Louis Botha.
Source:
http://www.sabcnews.co.za/south_africa/general/0,2172,131312,00.html