In October 2007 New Zealanders and other members of Commonwealth and European countries will commemorate the 90th anniversary of Passchendaele in Belgium. To raise awareness of this event the New Zealand Defence Force has launched a competition, Operation Warpaint.

The competition is open to those aged between 8 and 13 years.

Download Operation Warpaint Poster PDF [549KB - 1 Page]

How to enter

Paint or draw a picture of what you think Passchendaele (pronounced passion-dale) was like. 

Remember there were no aircraft in this battle, the soldiers were on foot, horses were used to transport people and ammunition, there were large guns which looked a bit like cannons, and it was very muddy with rolls of barbed wire and shell-holes full of water.  Near the front line soldiers lived in trenches to protect them from enemy fire.  Away from the front line they lived in small cone-shaped tents, and there were many people killed or wounded.

There are some photos on the right to start you thinking about what you may draw or paint.  Photographs of the Western Front including Passchendaele.

The important part – the prizes!

1st Prize is a Defence experience for four – you, two mates and a parent.  The prize will include a flight in an Air Force helicopter and a ride in an Army Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV).  You will also win $250 worth of art supplies for your school.

2nd Prize is a day out on a Navy ship for you, two mates and a parent; plus $50 worth of art supplies.

3rd Prize is a ride to school for you and three mates in an Army Light Armoured Vehicle(LAV) and $50 worth of art supplies.

Runners up - 10 runners up will receive prize packs.

Winners will be announced on 7 September 2007.

Entry criteria

• You must be between 8 and 13 years old. 
• Entries can be drawings, paintings or collage; no computer generated entries please.
• Please keep entries A3 size or under.
• Include your name, age, address and contact phone number on the back of your entry. 
• The deadline for entries is 31 August.
• NZDF reserves the right to use entries for publicity purposes. 
• Entries will not be returned. 

Where to send your entry

Operation Warpaint competition
Defence Public Relations
Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force
Private Bag 39997
Wellington.

Don’t forget to include your name, age, address, and phone number on the back of your entry.

About Passchendaele

In early October this year New Zealanders and members of other Commonwealth and European countries will attend the 90th anniversary of Passchendaele in Belgium. 

The battle for Passchendaele between July and October 1917 was one of the bloodiest of World War I, fought by ANZAC, British and Canadian soldiers against the German Army. 

The battle was fought on the Western Front in Belgium, near the border with France.  On October 12 1917, in just two hours, more than 2,800 New Zealand soldiers were killed, wounded or listed as missing - the most disastrous day in New Zealand’s military history.

More information for students about Passchendaele is available here.

Photographs of the Western Front and Passchendaele.