Battle of Passchendaele

(Passendale, Belgium) In 1917 the Germans began unrestricted submarine warfare, Russia crumbled under the impact of revolution and withdrew from the FIRST WORLD WAR, and part of the French army mutinied following the failure of General Nivelle's spring offensive. To relieve the resulting German pressure on the Allied forces, British Commander in Chief General Sir Douglas Haig launched an attack from the British front, which proved the most controversial of the entire war. After the British and Australian/New Zealand troops had fought weeks of grinding battle resulting in many casualties, on October 26 Lieutenant-Gen Sir Arthur CURRIE's Canadian Corps attacked over terrain that resembled a quagmire. By November 7, having endured appalling conditions and having suffered over 15 000 dead and wounded, the Canadians seized Passchendaele and with it 5 km² of mud. Haig has been severely criticized for prolonging his attack, but the Canadians displayed high standards of leadership, staff work and training, and succeeded where all others had failed. Nine VICTORIA CROSSES were awarded to Canadians after the battle.

Author R.H. ROY

Suggested Reading
D.G. Dancocks, Legacy of Valour (1986).

Links to Other Sites
Valour Road
View a brief video about three Canadian soldiers from Winnipeg who earned the Victoria Cross in the First World War. A Heritage Minute from the Historica-Dominion Institute. See also related lesson plans.

Battle of Passchendaele
This site provides links to a detailed education guide that invites students to discover how the 1917 Battle of Passchendaele became a defining event in Canadian history. Activities focus on the analysis of vital primary sources, multimedia, and other resources. Associated with the the major Canadian feature film "Passchendaele." From the Historica-Dominion Institute.

Passchendaele
This website offers a brief account of the Battle of Passchendaele in the First World War. Includes photographs of military action taken by photographer Jack Turner. From Library and Archives Canada.

For King and Empire: Canada's Soldiers in the Great War
An online guide to the “For King and Empire” video documentary series. Features detailed day-by-day accounts of military battles, profiles of individual soldiers, a glossary of weapons and artillery, and much more. From Breakthrough Films and History Television.

Passchendaele
The official website for the feature film "Passchendaele." Check out the multimedia features about the movie and the history of the Battle of Passchendaele.

Passchendaele – Canada’s Other Vimy Ridge
An article about pivotal First World War military battles. From the Department of National Defence.