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Minister of Defence Jonathan Coleman pays tribute at the 70th commemoration of the Battle of El Alamein in Egypt. - Source: NZ Army -
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New Zealand veterans who fought in the battle of El Alamein have paid tribute to the hundreds of New Zealand soldiers who died there.
Twenty-one men, ranging from 88 to 98-years of age, are in Egypt for the 70th anniversary commemorations.
A crowd of about 200 looked on as the veterans filed into El Alamein Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery.
Alan Peart, 90, said the New Zealand National Service, which was held near many graves of New Zealanders killed at El Alamein, was very humbling.
"It was very touching, and I could just envisage what happened here," Peart said.
Peart was a Flight Lieutenant, whose role in the North African Campaign was mainly combat with enemy fighters and strafing attacks on enemy assets.
He has family buried in the El Alamein Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery, and his father in law also fought at El Alamein.
New Zealand veterans John Wills and Eric Wilson also laid a wreath on behalf of all New Zealand veterans.
Commemorations included a cultural performance, prayers, and readings.
A ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein will be held at the National War Memorial in Wellington on Tuesday 23 October, beginning at 11.00am.
According to the New Zealand Defence Force, more than 1100 New Zealanders are buried in the El Alamein Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery - the largest number of New Zealanders buried in one cemetery outside New Zealand.
During the North African Campaign almost 10,000 New Zealanders were killed or wounded, and more than 4000 became prisoners of war.
The New Zealand contingent begins its journey home today.