Second Thursday in the month (February to November inclusive), commencing at midday at Level 2 (Heritage Section) at the City Library.  Also, other presentations on days and venues provided.

See posters in respect of each presentation for time and venue and other needful  information.

2024

(Note: These presentations and topics may change according to speaker availability.  Also, that all the 2020-22 audio recordings and Powerpoint presentations are on the “nzsappers” website (Heritage Audio Section - see letterhead above). For 2024, all EPLP = Evening Public Lecture Presentations will be at the PN City Library Mezzanine Floor (entrance off the alleyway between George Street and the Square), and MMMHP = Monthly Midday Military History Presentations will be on Level 2 (Heritage Section) of the PN City Library (PNCL).

The Engineer Corps Memorial Centre (ECMC) as part of the RNZE Charitable Trust (RNZE CT) and in partnership with the Palmerston North City Library (PNCL), will host the following:

8 Feb (MMMHP) – “28^th Maori Battalion” in the Second World War and the “75^th Anniversary of the song “Blue Smoke” release, by Ruma Karaitiana, Rangitane

14 Mar (MMMHP) – “The 80^th Anniversary of the Battle for Cassino” (Feb-Mar 1944), by LTCOL (Rtd) Dr Glyn Harper, QSM,

11 Apr (MMMHP) – “The Royal NZ Army Medical Corps and Awapuni Medical Memorial, by Deployable Health Organisation, Joint Services Group, NZDF (Linton Camp).

24 Apr (Wed - EPLP) – “The 160^th Anniversary of QAMR”, by LTCOL Jacob Murray, RNZAC, Commanding Officer, Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Rifle (QAMR), Linton Military Camp.

9 May (MMMHP) – “The 70^th Anniversary of the Borneo/Malaysia Conflict”, by WO1 (Rtd) Dave Hayward, RNZIR, former Sergeant Major of the NZ Army

13 Jun (MMMHP) - “The 25^th Anniversary of the East Timor/Timor L’este Conflict”, by LTCOL (Rtd) Dr Glyn Harper, QSM

25 Jun (Tue - EPLP) – “The 80^th Anniversary of the RNZAF Flying Boats and other aircraft of 5 Sqn, RNZAF”, by GPCAPT (Rtd) Rick Bulger and SQNLDR (Rtd) Hugh Francis, RNZAF

11 Jul (Thu - MMMHP) – “The 80^th Anniversary of the D-Day (Normandy) Landings in France”, by RADM (Rtd) David Ledson, former Chief of the RNZN

8 Aug (Thu - MMMHP) – “30^th Anniversary of UNPROFOR and the Bosnian Conflict”, by BRIG (Rtd) Phil Gibbons, ONZM, Senior National Officer, Op RADIAN 3

27 Aug (Tue - EPLP) – “Operation DRAGOON – Second D-Day into France in August 1944”, by Dennis O’Rourke, RNZN and NZ Police (Rtd)

12 Sep (MMMHP) – “70^th Anniversary of RNZN Support to the Borneo/Malaysia Conflict”, by CDR (Rtd) Richard Jackson, RNZN

10 Oct (Thu - MMMHP) – NZ Land Wars Month – “The Battle for Orakau”, by LTCOL (Rtd) Dr Cliff Simons, ED,

11 Nov (Mon - EPLP) – Remembrance Day – “NZ Forces into Samoa in the First World War, in 1914”, by LTCOL DR Peter Wood, ONZM, Director of the NZ Wars Study Centre, NZDC

28 Nov (Thu – MMMHP) - “The 80^th Anniversary of 3rd (NZ) Division in the Pacific”, by LTCOL Dr Peter Wood, ONZM, Director of the NZ Wars Study Centre, NZDC

OTHER EVENTS

This programme follows on from the approved and successful previous activity listings.  It includes the military history presentations known as the “Evening Public Lecture Presentations” (EPLP) and the “Monthly Midday Military History Presentations” (MMMHP) series. There are also “Major City Events” (MCE) as shown below and other related military historical anniversaries, activities, and events.  This programme is based around discussions with the PNCC Mayor and CEO, PNCL Heritage team, PNCC Events team, PNDHAG members and the PNRSA Executive Committee.  The programme is very dynamic, and venues include PNCL Level 2 (Heritage Section) and Mezzanine Floor (entrance via alleyway between George Street and The Square), depending upon availability.  Following separate invitations will confirm dates, timings, and venues, together with any associated RSVP and/or health and safety requirements.

2024 Programme:

 

Jan – 80^th anniversary of the lifting of the siege of Leningrad (900 days, September 1941- January 1944)

22 Jan 1944- 80^th anniversary of the Allied landing at Anzio, behind German lines in Italy

6 Feb – (Tues) Waitangi Day

8 Feb (MMMHP) – “28^th Māori Battalion” in the Second World War and the “75^th Anniversary of the release of the “Blue Smoke” by Ruma Karaitiana, Rangitane.

Feb- 80^th anniversary of 3 (NZ) Division landing on Nissan Islands, Solomons

Feb- 80^th anniversary of the Allied bombing of the monastery at Monte Cassino

3 March (MCE - Sun) – Explore Esplanade Day (with NZDF display?)

4-10 March – PNCC Local History Week

4-31 March – PNCC Heritage Month in Palmerston North

7 March- 80^th anniversary of the first use of New Zealand aircraft in a raid on the Japanese base at Rabaul, Papua New Guinea

14 Mar (MMMHP) – “The 80^th Anniversary of the Battle for Cassino” (Feb-Mar 1944), by LTCOL (Rtd) Dr Glyn Harper, QSM

Mar- 180^th anniversary of the Battle of Orakau- New Zealand Wars -31 Mar to 2 Apr 1964

11 Apr (MMMHP) – “The Royal NZ Army Medical Corps and the Awapuni Medical Memorial, by Deployable Health Organisation, Joint Services Group, NZDF (Linton Camp)

19 Apr (Fri) RNZRSA National Poppy Day

24 Apr (Wed - EPLP) – “The 160^th Anniversary of QAMR”, by LTCOL Jacob Murray, RNZAC, Commanding Officer, Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Rifles (QAMR), Linton Military Camp

25 Apr – (MCE - Thurs) ANZAC Day (Dawn and Civic) Parades and Services in Te Marae o Hine/The Square and elsewhere in Ashhurst, Bunnythorpe, Linton Camp and the Māori Battalion Hall.

29 Apr- 180^th anniversary of the Battle of Pukehinahina/ Gate Pa, 29 Apr 1864

6 May – 1^st anniversary Coronation Day for HM King Charles III

9 May (MMMHP) – “The 70^th Anniversary of the Borneo/Malaysia Conflict”, by WO1 (Rtd) Dave Hayward, RNZIR, former Sergeant Major of the NZ Army

6 Jun 80^th anniversary of the D Day landings, 6 June 1944

13 Jun (MMMHP) - “The 25^th Anniversary of the East Timor/Timor L’este Conflict”, by LTCOL (Rtd) Dr Glyn Harper, QSM

25 Jun (Tue - EPLP) – “The 80^th Anniversary of the RNZAF Flying Boats and other aircraft of 5 Sqn, RNZAF”, by GPCAPT (Rtd) Rick Bulger and SQNLDR (Rtd) Hugh Francis, RNZAF

28 Jun 1914- 110^th anniversary of the assassination of Grand Duke Francis Ferdinand

11 Jul (Thu - MMMHP) – “The 80^th Anniversary of the D-Day (Normandy) Landings in France in June 1944”, by RADM (Rtd) David Ledson, former Chief of the RNZN

28 Jul 1914- 110^th anniversary of the commencement of the First World War

8 Aug (Thu - MMMHP) – “30^th Anniversary of UNPROFOR and the Bosnian Conflict”, by BRIG (Rtd) Phil Gibbons, ONZM, Senior National Officer, Op RADIAN 3

18 Aug (Sun) – Vietnam Veterans Day

27 Aug (Tue - EPLP) – “Operation DRAGOON – Second D-Day into France in August 1944”, by Dennis O’Rourke, RNZN, and NZ Police (Rtd)

24 Aug 1944- 80^th anniversary of the Allied liberation of Paris

29 Aug 1914- 110^th anniversary of the occupation of German Samoa by NZ troops

12 Sep (MMMHP) – “70^th Anniversary of RNZN Support to the Borneo/Malaysia Conflict”, by CDR (Rtd) Richard Jackson, RNZN

10 Oct (Thu - MMMHP) – NZ Land Wars Month – “The Battle for Orakau”, by LTCOL (Rtd) Dr Cliff Simons, ED

28 Oct (Mon) – NZ (Land) Wars Day

11 Nov – (MCE - Mon) Remembrance (Armistice and Poppy) Day Parade and Service in Te Marae o Hine/The Square and NZPPT launch of more streets and sites of significance, following the service.

11 Nov (Mon - EPLP) – Remembrance (Armistice) Day – “NZ Forces into Samoa in the First World War, in 1914”, by LTCOL DR Peter Wood, ONZM, Director of the NZ Wars Study Centre, NZDC

14 Nov 110^th anniversary of the invasion of Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq) by British forces (lasted until 1918)

28 Nov (Thu – MMMHP) - “The 80^th Anniversary of 3rd (NZ) Division in the Pacific during the Second World War”, by LTCOL DR Peter Wood, ONZM, Director of the NZ Wars Study Centre, NZDC

3 Dec- 110^th anniversary of the formation of the ANZAC Corps in Egypt in 1914

Other notable anniversaries in 2024:

 

160^th anniversary of the formation of Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Rifles

110^th anniversary of the commencement of the First World War

110th anniversary of HMS Philomel being acquired as a training ship.

110^th anniversary of the creation of the Australia New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC)

80^th anniversary of the creation of an NZ Corps (Cassino) and NZ Division operations at Cassino

80^th anniversary of D Day

80^th anniversary of the Polish uprising in Warsaw (1 August)

80^th anniversary of 5 SQN RNZAF being re-formed to operate flying boats.

70^th anniversary of NZDF involvement in the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) in Israel and Lebanon

30^th anniversary of New Zealand commitment to the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) in former Yugoslavia

25^th anniversary of NZ involvement in INTERFET and UNTAET in East Timor/ Timor Leste

10^th anniversary of the withdrawal of the NZ Provincial Reconstruction Team from Bamiyan, Afghanistan

2024 Notes – the programme has been developed during the latter course of 2023 with a similar pattern to previous years.  During Local History Week and Heritage Month, other military heritage activities are likely to be included and further information will follow from the PN City Library and Heritage team.  Likewise, other presentations on contemporary military strategy and NZDF plans will be arranged during the year.  Other activities could include the “Battle of the Bridges” event in March (or later in) 2024 (hosted by Linton Camp and run by the Corps of RNZE and Defence Recruiting) in Te Marae o Hine/The Square.  Also, the potential rededication of Memorial Park (a PN Second World War memorial) later in 2024, once all work of the gates, gun, “Heroes Trail” and completion of the Park Stage 5 redevelopment plan.

Otherwise for 2025-2029, a similar format/pattern as in previous years for both EPLP and MMMHP programmes, two major commemorative events (or MCE - ANZAC Day and Armistice Day), plus potential for an annual NZDF activity/event, provided by Linton Camp (1 (NZ) Bde) and RNZAF Base Ohakea, as Charter partners of the PNCC.  Note that 2024 and 2025 hold some significant anniversaries of military campaigns from the early NZ Land Wars, through until more recent time and will be reflected in the respective programmes for each of these years.  2025  will also be the 180^th anniversary of the establishment of the NZ Army.

MMMHP sessions are normally held on the second Thu in each month, Feb through Nov, in the Heritage Section (Second Floor, PN City Library).  EPLP sessions are normally held on Tue evenings (except for Mon in Apr) in the months of Apr, Jun, Aug and Nov, in the PN City Library Mezzanine Floor (entrance off alleyway between George Street and The Square).  Other military history presentations by visiting historians and book launches/releases are also programmed throughout each year and will be advised separately.  Event invite posters will confirm all timings and venues for these activities.