Epic Moments Remembered

The world commemorated the 60th anniversary of D-Day on June 6, with war veterans and international leaders (including PM Helen Clark) gathering in France to pay their respects. NZ lost more soldiers proportionately than any other country in the battle. 11 NZ veterans attended the event, including the legendary pilot John Pattison. A month previously veterans gathered to remember the battle of Monte Cassino, one of the bloodiest and most devastating encounters of WW2. 200,000 Allied soldiers died in the Italian campaign, including members of the NZ Corps and 28th Maori Battalion – the latter suffering an appalling 84% casualty rate.