The Battle of Passchendaele

What was the Battle of Passchendaele?

The Battle of Passchendaele was a joint British and Canadian offensive against the Germans, led by General Haig.

When was the Battle of Passchendaele?

The battle began in July 1917 and finished on 10th November 1917.

Where was the Battle of Passchendaele?

The battle took place in Passchendaele in the Ypres Salient.

What were the aims of the Battle of Passchendaele?

Haig wanted to break through German lines and control the coast. He wanted to capture naval bases to make it harder for the Germans to carry out submarine attacks on British ships.

What were the results of the Battle of Passchendaele?

There were 3 key outcomes from the battle:

• ❖ After three months of fighting, Passchendaele was captured and Haig could claim victory.
• ❖ The battle came at a cost. A total of 240,000 British and 220,000 German soldiers were wounded or killed.
• ❖ In total, the Allies captured around 8km of territory, and Haig failed to achieve his main objective.

Why did the Battle of the Passchendaele fail?

There were 2 main reasons why the battle plan failed:

• ❖ As with the Somme, the Germans were aware of the coming attack.
• ❖ Heavy rains turned the battlefield into a quagmire. Soldiers were knee-deep in liquid mud, making it difficult to move.