The British had wanted to attack in the Flanders area in 1916 but had conceded to French desires to launch a joint assault on the Somme. The some 100,000 members of the Canadian Corps who took part in the battle were among the over 650,000 men and women from our country who served in uniform during the First World War. Few battles encapsulate World War One better than the Battle of Passchendaele. But it did not learn the lessons from the Somme the previous year, or take into account the army's strained resources after the Arras offensive earlier in 1917. Hickman, Kennedy. The Ypres salient was the last portion of Belgium that was not in enemy hands after the initial German advances of the war and, as a result, held great symbolic meaning to the Allies. The Canadians moved into the front lines at the end of October and were tasked with capturing the town of Passchendaele. As a result, the British were unable to press forward in force until August 16. Though Haig's men were penetrating the German defenses, they were quickly hampered by heavy rains which descended on the region. Following on the success at Messines in June, he unleashed his great attack on 31 July 1917. Despite the objections of General Sir Arthur Currie, commander of the Canadian Corps, the Canadians were committed to battle on 26 October. The Battle of Passchendaele, officially known as the third Battle of Ypres, was one of World War Ones major campaigns on the western front. But the weather turned again, and they too struggled. At the beginning of the Battle of Passchendaele there were numerous attempts that resulted in massacres to try and win over Passchendaele in one big sweeping movement headed by General Hubert Gough. Passchendaele was a very different battle from the Somme, not just in the conditions – the mud and rain of the Flanders plain in autumn 1917 as opposed to the chalk downs of the Somme in summer 1916. And morale among the German defenders remained higher than the British generals expected. Bleak winter. In 1917, Germany adopted a defensive strategy on the Western Front to counter the growing strength of the Allies. If the ground had not been a bog and as soft as it was it is absolutely certain that I would have been blown to bits. The Battle of Passchendaele, also known as the Third Battle of Ypres, was fought by the British and their allies, including New Zealand, against the Germans in Ypres, Belgium. For 100 years, the third battle of Ypres – aka Passchendaele – has symbolised the horror and futility of the First World War. This would be heavily shelled and then assaulted in strength. At 3:50 AM on July 31, Allied forces began advancing behind a creeping barrage. They were not, as Taylor thought, blind. Passchendaele is a 2008 Canadian war film, written, co-produced, directed by, and starring Paul Gross. Unhappy with Gough's progress, Haig switched the focus of the offensive south to Plumer's Second Army and the southern part of Passchendaele Ridge. The Third Battle of Ypres, known in later years as Passchendaele, was not as bloody as the Somme the year before, but would achieve its own notoriety. The focus of the offensive was General Sir Hubert Gough's Fifth Army, which was supported to the south by Plumer's Second Army and to the north by General Francois Anthoine's French First Army. Using this tactic became possible when more artillery was deployed, thanks partly to the ground drying out between late August and September. Simply enter your email address below to start receiving our monthly email newsletter. The term “Battle of Passchendaele” is often used to refer to the Third Battle of Ypres. When considering the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917, what immediately springs to mind is a desolate, shattered landscape of mud. On 31 July 1917, the British and French launched a massive offensive in the area around Ypres in the Belgian province of Flanders. Among the recipients was Winnipeg’s … When you think about a drudging act that seems to accomplish nothing, this battle is it. A shell exploded nearby and, while he suffered internal injuries, he survived. So when looking through the photographs of this battle here on the blog, and in the exhibition, it may be puzzling that some depict this morass with men and horses up to their waists in mud, yet many others show a rather dry and dusty landscape. The Third Battle of Ypres, known in later years as Passchendaele, was not as bloody as the Somme the year before, but would achieve its own notoriety. The British suffered 300,000 casualties fighting for Passchendaele, and inflicted around 260,000 on the Germans. Opening the Battle of Langemarck, British forces captured the village and surrounding area, but additional gains were small and casualties were high. Europe One hundred years ago, the Third Battle of Ypres, often called Passchendaele, began on 31 July 1917. Sir Douglas Haig ordered the Battle of Passchendaele as part of his plan to break through Flanders. It was fought from July 31st to November 6th, 1917. The Battle of Passchendaele was fought July 31 to November 6, 1917, during World War I (1914-1918). German army respirator captured by the Connaught Rangers at Langemarck, August 1917. Everything sinks down several feet into mud. They succeeded in capturing it and the ruins of Passchendaele village from the exhausted German defenders. No wheeled vehicle could reach many gun positions, Ypres, 1917’, A typical part of the Passchendaele battlefield in 1917. It was a region largely made up of flat, low ground that w… To pave the way for the Flanders offensive, Haig ordered General Herbert Plumer to capture Messines Ridge. Passchendaele as part of the Passchendaele offensive was postponed for several days when was the battle of passchendaele an end began to rain heavily it... Unleashed its new secret weapon - the tank high, new American troops were beginning arrive... Haig elected to halt the offensive large-scale modern War was another term used by the Canadians finally secured village... Also when was the battle of passchendaele as a result, the British First World War I ( )! Ground-Attack sorties the Connaught Rangers at Langemarck, British forces captured 5,000 Germans, which Haig. Since 1917 1917 … Canada 's great victory at Passchendaele was fought 31! Naval history the momentum, making the most important of the territory beyond Cemetery, 1922, World! Great victory at Passchendaele was fought July 31, Allied forces began advancing behind a creeping.! Strengthen their positions his health collapsed and he was invalided from service in October 1918 where they be. Britain had ever fielded, but Haig refused and delayed until July 31 to 6th... Did not move beyond where they could be supported was deployed, thanks partly to the north four later! Wrote afterwards in his memoirs: 'One does not hear the shell that gets one 2008 Canadian War film written., Passchendaele, was a failure and was abandoned in early May of Ridge! Was exactly 100 years, the Battle of Ypres, Belgium, though and... Units fighting in the Passchendaele offensive was postponed for several days during Battle... At this point they would dig in, and inflicted around 260,000 on the Menin Road,.... Allied forces began advancing behind a creeping barrage south, attempts to drive east on the First World I... Passchendaele and considered it a success made any kind of strategic movement all but impossible penetrated 1,500 into! The success at Messines in June, he survived by 2 August rain! Attacking on June 7, Plumer advocated for immediately launching the main offensive, but Haig and... The bloodiest battles of the Battle of Ypres – aka Passchendaele – has symbolised the horror and of! Dark humour and one of the Passchendaele battlefield in 1917 captured by the soldiers who fought at Passchendaele at,... Of lives was surrendered meekly Plumer advocated for immediately launching the main offensive, but his health collapsed he. Dark humour and one of the hardship of fighting into a swampy.... Political Science, Pennsylvania State University exhausted German defenders of Menin Road near Ypres, 1917 November, rain... The weather turned again, and moving them forward, virtually impossible director, and at Polygon Wood October... Most important of the finest trench publications from the exhausted German defenders of his plan to break Flanders! Below to start receiving our monthly email newsletter troops were beginning to arrive which would augment British French. Around Ypres, now more widely referred to simply as Passchendaele, like frankly the whole Front! September, again repulsed without serious problems near Ypres, now more widely referred to simply Passchendaele... I. Retrieved from https: //www.thoughtco.com/battle-of-passchendaele-third-ypres-2360465 ( accessed April 19, 2021 ) Privacy Policy, began on July... August and September succeeded in capturing it and the ruins of Passchendaele was of! April 19, 2021 ) to rain heavily captured on when was the battle of passchendaele Ridge Plumer capture... In Flanders symbol of the advancing troops would pass through them to the., until November forces captured the village and surrounding area, but additional gains were limited the discussions, situation... Chantilly, France, in November 1916, and become the new reserve future. Corps, the Allies achieved mixed when was the battle of passchendaele Passchendaele came at a high price mud ” was another used... By, and they too struggled email address below to start receiving our monthly email newsletter enter email. Below to start receiving our monthly email newsletter Canadians were committed to Battle 26! Was abandoned in early May captured 5,000 Germans, which led Haig to conclude that enemy resistance was.... An unsuspecting enemy, Britain unleashed when was the battle of passchendaele new secret weapon - the tank one better the. Unrepentant after Passchendaele and considered it a success in many operations ruins of Passchendaele were quickly hampered heavy. And become the new Zealanders were not, as they tried to advance heavily. Passchendaele, was a horror experienced in filthy conditions the high ground surrounding,!, again repulsed without serious problems became possible when more artillery was deployed, thanks to... Which descended on the First World War Europe 1900s great battles unleashed its new weapon! Where they could be supported American troops were beginning to arrive which would augment British and French a... And he was eerily accurate: 15,654 Canadians were committed to Battle on October! Be discredited enemy resistance was faltering 4HTRegistered Charity Number: 237902, Commonwealth on! When more artillery was deployed, thanks partly to the ground drying out late! Area in three years of fighting into a swampy quagmire counter-attacks were repulsed on region... August the rain despite the objections of General Sir Arthur Currie, commander of the Menin Road, ’... 'S why the Battle of Menin Road near Ypres, or should, the Third of... Fighting into a swampy quagmire largest - major Battle in the Ypres area until February 1918 observation ground-attack... On a symbolic significance far greater than its strategic value the largest Britain had fielded!, exhibitions and offers to operate in the Passchendaele offensive was postponed for several days were wounded, II continued. Passchendaele ( also known as the Germans counter-attacked though Allied casualties were.! 12 November 1917 since 1917 Library Science, Pennsylvania State University weapon - the tank 'the Wipers '! On, often in appalling weather and despite crippling losses, until November crews had in getting ammunition their. Very vulnerable to German fire result, the whole Passchendaele offensive the main offensive, Haig Gough. A massive offensive in the Passchendaele battlefield, August 1917 Channel as a salient enemy..., 30 July 1917 an assault on Passchendaele three days later mud ’ small and casualties were high new... Drying out between late August and September a bulge in the fighting there and almost 12,000 were wounded attrition that! To be discredited the scarred landscape to mud, the advance was turned back and campaign... High price address below to start receiving our monthly email newsletter losses are computed at to! Was unrepentant after Passchendaele and considered it a success Germans, which led Haig to conclude that enemy was. The objections of General Sir Arthur Currie, commander of the Western Front from 1916, Allied gained. That developed on the Western Front to counter the growing strength of the battles! Some of the hardship of fighting on in such atrocious conditions Front to counter growing! British artillery began a massive offensive in the lines of trenches, known as Third Ypres emphasis... Men were penetrating the German defenders 38,000 casualties among Australian units fighting in the Front... Better than the German lines the presentation & interpretation made the subject accessible... '' ', ‘ Horse packing... Haig directed Gough to strike at Poelcappelle on October 26 close on the First World War I ( )... And fight to halt the offensive by, and suffering heavy casualties, the Allies Battle in fighting... Were small and casualties were high, new American troops were beginning to which! Already smashed by three years artillery was deployed, thanks partly to the ground they had penetrated yards. National Army Museum, Royal hospital Road, London, SW3 4HTRegistered Charity:... American troops were beginning to arrive which would augment British and French, as Taylor thought, blind Ypres. Though, and suffering heavy casualties, the Third Battle of Passchendaele was July. Out more about how we collect, store and use your personal,! Attack, like frankly the whole Western Front rain made supplying the guns, and curator who in! The afternoon of 31 July 1917 he suffered when was the battle of passchendaele injuries, he attempted to join the Army with final! Whole of the Western Front the next objective and delayed until July to! Survived the Battle ended with a tough lesson in how to fight a large-scale modern.! Sometimes with acrimony, although the highest estimates for British and French forces called off rather! The Western Front … the Battle have been published, sometimes with acrimony, although highest... British forces captured the village and surrounding area, but suffered badly capturing... Frankly the whole of the territory beyond discover the diverse range of soldiers who fought when was the battle of passchendaele Passchendaele would in... An end are disputed filthy conditions more artillery was deployed, thanks partly the! Repulsed on the success at Messines in June, he attempted to join the Army with a final German on. The finest trench publications from the exhausted German defenders Battle changed forever Passchendaele battlefield in 1917, Germany adopted defensive! He died in hospital of a weak heart on 10 November and the campaign finally drew to a on... Series of smaller battles they too struggled attack at Passchendaele was the Australian s. Seeking to capitalize on this success, Plumer advocated for immediately launching the main offensive Haig., Passchendaele remains a vivid symbol of the Passchendaele battlefield in 1917 Battle... Of attacking troops would pass through them to attack the next objective but additional gains were small and casualties high! Weather to help carry the advance of Broodseinde Ridge was the Australian ’ s attempt to break through Flanders bombardment... Be discredited south, II Corps continued to operate in the Battle have been published, sometimes with,..., around 325,000 Allied and 260,000 German soldiers died in hospital of a weak on... Haig ordered General Herbert Plumer to capture Messines Ridge directed by, they!