New Zealand veterans say they've been humbled by commemorations in Egypt to mark the 70th anniversary of the battle of El Alamein.
Twenty-one Kiwi veterans, aged between 88 and 96, attended a New Zealand national service on Friday at the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in El Alamein and an international service of thanksgiving on Saturday.
The battle which raged between June and November, 1942, cost New Zealand 7000 casualties including more than 1300 fatalities.
At the cemetery 1108 New Zealanders are buried.
Hamilton man Alan Peart, 90, says the service was very humbling.
"It was very touching, and I could just envisage what happened here," Mr Peart said.
Mr Peart was a flight lieutenant in the North African campaign and he has family buried at the cemetery.
"I found my cousin, Lieutenant Colonel Jan Peart's grave. He commanded 18 Battalion, and someone who served with 18 Battalion was paying respects at his grave at the same time."
Veterans John Wills and Eric Wilson laid a wreath at the international service on behalf of all New Zealand veterans.
A ceremony will be held at the national war memorial in Wellington on Tuesday.
NZN
