Second Battle of Passchendale

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Second Battle of Passchendaele
partof=Battle of Passchendaele (World War I)


caption=Men of the 4th Australian Division advancing near Chateau Wood, October 29, 1917
date=October 26 - November 15, 1917
place=Passchendale, Flanders
territory=
result=Allied Victory
combatant1=
combatant2=
commander1=
commander2=
strength1= 4 Divisions
strength2=
casualties1=15,654 Canadian
15,000+ other †
casualties2=unknown
notes=†Discussed in detail in Casualties

The Second Battle of Passchendaele was the culminating attack during the Third Battle of Ypres. The attack was precipitated by all four divisions of the Canadian Corps, with supporting units from the ANZAC forces having previously been assigned to the area. The battle lasted from October 26 until November 15, resulting in extremely high casualties for Canadian forces attempting to take the town of Passchendaele from German forces. Despite the "atrocious" casualty rate, Canadian forces were able to recapture the town on November 15.

Background

Field Marshal Douglas Haig had launched a massive offensive, the Third Battle of Ypres, in an attempt to break out of the Ypres Salient, in July of 1917. The ultimate goal had been the recapture of Passchendaele itself, followed by cavalry assaults against the whole of German-occupied Belgium. Although initial successes had been achieved at Battle of Messines, complete stalemate occurred in subsequent battles near Menin Road, Pilckem Ridge, and Passchendaele Ridge itself. On October 12, the "First Battle of Passchendaele" resulted in 12,000 casualties for British Empire forces (most of them suffered by the ANZAC forces), with virtually no strategic gain. In early October, The Canadian Corps of Four divisions was transferred from the Arras-Vimy sector to the Ypres Salient, to prepare for an offensive aimed at ending the stalemate of the battle.

Opposition by Currie

When General Arthur Currie was ordered to move the Canadian Corps into the salient, so as to relieve the heavily depleted ANZAC Corps, he immediately protested to Douglas Haig, stating that the casualties would be too high for the value of the objective. ["Berton", Pg. 184] Haig, however, was adamant that the village of Passchendaele be taken. Currie then told him that it would take 16,000 casualties for him to take Passchendale. ["Berton", Pg. 185] ["Zuehlke", Pg. 136] Haig simply responded that the ridge and village MUST be taken. He told Currie "Someday, perhaps, I will tell you why we had to attack at Passchendale, but all I can say at the moment is that the ridge has to be taken." Currie complied, on two conditions. First, the Canadian Corps had to function as its own unit, with all four divisions in the assault. Second, Currie asked to be allowed to operate independently of the British Fifth Army under General Gough, whom he disliked. ["Berton", Pg. 185] Haig's response was "Currie, you do realize that this is insubordination", to which Currie replied "yes sir, but I cannot help it."

Preparation

Over the next two weeks, all four divisions of the Canadian Corps prepared for a massive offensive against the heavily-fortified German positions on Passchendaele Ridge. To their south, the I Anzac Corps (1st Australia & New-Zealand Army Corps) prepared to assist in the assault up the Bellevue Spur (on the southern half of the ridge). Currie's plan called for a colossal artillery barrage in the week leading up the offensive ["Zuehlke", Pg. 135. Some sources list Currie as having a field-gun every 20 yards] On October 26, the 3rd & 4th Canadian Divisions would attack directly up the ridge, while The British X, XII, & ANZAC Corps would attack to the south. Once a foothold had been gained, the 1st & 2nd Canadian divisions would "leapfrog" over the 3rd & 4th divisions towards Passchendaele itself.

Initial Offensive Gain

On October 26, the 3rd & 4th Canadian Divisions attacked the Bellevue Spur, on the southwestern portion of Passchendaele Ridge. They were supported by the British X, XIV, and XVIII Corps on their flanks. The attack by all four Corps began at 5:40AM. ["Wolff", Pg. 246] By nightfall, the two Canadian divisions had gained close to 500 yards, while X & XIV Corps had gained virtually no ground. XVIII Corps gained 1/10th of a mile during the first day. Canadian casualties for October 26 are estimated at 2,500, ["Zuehlke", Pg. 136] while the British took 12,000 casualties. ["Wolff", Pg. 247] On October 30, the 1st & 2nd Canadian Divisions "leapfrogged" over the shredded 3rd & 4th Divisions, both of which had taken "horrendous" casualties from October 26-October 30, with casualty rates in some battalions of the 4th Division as high as 60%. ["Berton", Pg. 186] ["Groom", Pg. 222] The 1st & 2nd managed limited gains before being stopped short of Passchendaele Village itself. ["Zuehlke", Pg. 137]

Capture of Passchendaele

On November 6th, the entire Canadian Corps resumed its offensive against Passchendaele. By the end of the day, Canadian forces had advanced 450 yards ["Groom", Pg. 223] to gain a significant hold on the now-obliterated town. ["Wolff", Pg. 252] Pockets of German resistance continued to hold positions near the ruins of the church until November 15. ["Berton", Pg. 187] Canadian casualties since October 26 totaled 15,654. ["Berton", Pg. 186] British Empire casualties (including Australia & New-Zealand) exceeded 15,000, ["Wolff", Pg. 248] a majority of these taken in the first week of the battle. ["Groom", Pg. 224]

ee also

*List of Canadian battles during World War I

Notes

References

*Pierre, Berton. "Marching as to War", 2001 Pierre Berton Books
*Zuehlke, Mark. "Canadian Military Atlas", 2001 Stoddart
*Wolff, Leone. "In Flanders Fields, Passchendaele 1917"
*Groom, Winston. "A Storm in Flanders, the Ypres Salient, 1914-1918". 2002 Atlantic Monthly Press