CEREMONIE DU SOUVENIR DE LA BATAILLE D'ARRAS

april 9, 1917, 5:30 a.m. (UK time): 24,000 soldiers emerged from the Wellington Quarry to fight the famous Battle of Arras, a diversionary operation before the attack on the Chemin des Dames. In the weeks leading up to the offensive, they lived in these underground tunnels, linked by New Zealand Tunnellers. To pay tribute to the British soldiers who took part in the Battle of Arras, a remembrance ceremony is held every April 9, at 6:30 am (French time) on the site of the Carrière Wellington, at the foot of the memorial.