In 1917 the New Zealanders moved into Belgium and began fighting in "Flanders Fields". On the 7th of June the Battle of Messines began with the detonation of 19 huge underground bombs - 10,000 German soldiers were killed in the blast and it rattled teacups in London. Fierce fighting continued for several days, by the time the New Zealand Division was relieved on 9 June, it had 3700 casualties, including 700 dead.



The Battle is being remembered in Messines this centenary year with a number of events, some highlighting the roll of the New Zealanders like a trail of remembrance through the battlefield - Learn more. 
There is also to be a reburial of remains believed to be a New Zealand soldier - you can view footage of the last time this happened here.