What was the battle of Passchendaele?

Answer 1

The Battle of Passchendaele is referred to in some texts as the Third Battle of Ypres. It was one of the more significant battles of WWI, and involved British, ANZAC, and Canadian troops against the Germans. The purpose of the battle was to gain control of the village of Passchendaele (now Passendale) near the town of Ypres in West Flanders (now part of Belgium). The line of strategy was to create a vulnerability in the German lines, continue to the Belgian coast and capture the German submarine bases on the coastline. If won, it would have been a defining battle, opening corridor strategically significant area of the front. It also would have have taken some of the pressure off the French defence forces.

The campaign for Passchendaele began on 31 July 1917 and continued through to 6 November 1917, when the Canadian Corps gained control of Passchendaele. The campaign was long, intense and demoralising both physically and mentally, since the preparatory bombing from the British ripped up the countryside which was basically just reclaimed swampland. The countryside was transformed into liquid mud after heavy rains fell from August onwards. It is unknown how many soldiers drowned.

By the time the campaign concluded, the combined allied casualties reached almost a quarter of a million men, with around the same figure lost by the Germans. Up to 95,000 British or Australian men remained unidentified, while another 42,000 bodies were never recovered.

Answer 2

It was a battle, fought in WW1. The Battle of Passchendaele occurred 31 July - 6 November 1917, but it was the site of heavy fighting throughout WW1.

Answer 3

Belgium