The Delville Wood Memorial, Cape Town, South Africa - World War I Memorials and Monuments on Waymarking.com

ABOUT THE BATTLE CALLED DANVILLE WOOD:

Delville Wood is the name given to a World War I battle that took place between July 14 and Sept 3, 1916 in Somme, in northern France, between the armies of the German and British empires. The location was important to both sides for the tactical advantage it would provide. The Battle of Delville Wood was one of the bloodiest confrontations that occurred in the effort to secure the location and of particular importance to South Africa as it was also the location of the first major war engagement by the South African Brigades, who suffered catastrophic losses, with losses of 80% of their forces. The African Bridgade did succeed in holding their position and control of Delville Wood. The battle has been referred to as "the bloodiest battle hell of 1916" and "the African Gesthsemane".

MONUMENTS TO Delville WOOD:


This monument, in The Company's Gardens, is a rendition of the National Memorial designed by Sir Herbert Baker and located in Longueval, Somme, France to the memory of all the South Africans who died during World War I, and in particular at the horrific battle at Delville Wood. Baker's monument was unveiled on October 10, 1926 by the General JMB Hertzog (Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa), and Sir Percy Fitzpatrick (the Field-Marshall HAIG), while the widows of the generals Botha and Lukin attended the ceremony. (Generals Botha and Lukin commanded the African Brigades at Danville Woods) The memorial in France featured a monument by Alfred Turner, of a dome, upon which are the likenesses of mythical characters Castor and Pollux, holding hands in friendship over the back of a war horse, symbolizing the united determination to defend their common ideals.

Two replicas of this original sculpture in France were provided to the peoples of South Africa, one was installed at the Union Buildings in Pretoria and the other is located here in Cape Town in the Company's Gardens. Similar statues are found in Rome and Spain.

SOURCE:
Regarding the original Memorial, in France:
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Regarding the statue in Cape Town:
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Private or Public Monument?: Government Name of the Private Organization or Government Entity that built this Monument: Government of France Geographic Region where the Monument is located: Africa Website for this Monument: [Web Link] Physical Address of Monument: The Company's Gardens Government Avenue Cape Town, Western South Africa Rate this waymark: Photo or photos will be uploaded.: yes Date the Monument or Memorial was built or dedicated: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
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Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   10/19/2014 Casper&Aero visited it