2nd Passchendaele (World War 1, 26 October 1917 to 10 November 1917)
The fighting for Passchendaele continued into late October when a second phase began.
The Second Battle of Passchendaele was the culminating attack during the Third Battle of Ypres of the First World War. The battle took place between 26 October and 10 November 1917. Three rainless days from 3–5 November eased preparation for the second stage which began on the morning of 6 November, with the 1st Canadian Division and the 2nd Canadian Division. In fewer than three hours, many units reached their final objectives and Passchendaele was captured. The Canadian Corps launched a final action on 10 November, to gain control of the remaining high ground north of the village near Hill 52. However they suffered horrendous casulties in so doing.
The Canadian Corps relieved the exhausted II Anzac Corps, continuing the advance started with the First Battle of Passchendaele and ultimately capturing Passchendaele village. Beyond gaining favourable observation positions, the battle was intended to gain drier winter positions on higher ground.
The assault position was directly south of the inter-army boundary between the British Fifth and Second Armies. As a result, the Canadian Corps was to attack with support of formations from the British Fifth Army to the north and the I Anzac Corpsand X Corps to the south. The offensive was executed in a series of attacks each with limited objectives, delivered at intervals of three or more days. The execution dates of the phases were tentatively given as 26 October, 30 October and 6 November with a final smaller action on 10 November. To permit time to facilitate inter-divisional relief, there was a planned seven day pause between the second and third stages during which time the Second Army was ordered to take over the section of the Fifth Army front adjoining the Canadian Corps, so that the central portion of the assault could proceed under a single command.
The attack was successful in capturing the German-held high ground along the Passchendaele–Westrozebeke ridge but the campaign was forced to end just short of Westrozebeke. No further attempt was made to build on the momentum of the attack.
Aftermath
As bad as Passchendaele was for the Allies, the Germans suffered heavily too. There has been protracted debate about casualties ever since. Respected historians Prior and Wilson, in 1997, gave British losses of 275,000 and German casualties at just under 200,000. In 1997, Heinz Hagenlücke suggested c. 217,000 German casualties.
The German losses forced a rethink of their strategy as they could not sustain further losses at these rates supporting a Defensive strategy. The British tactics of limited objective "Bite and Hold" attacks pioneered by General Plumer, had worked until the rain had set in. The Germans had not developed an effective counter, apart from limited counter attacks that enjoyed only intermittent success.
As the front bogged down in snow and ice of the winter of 1917/18, these circumstances, and the withdrawal of Russia from the war, gave birth to the development of German plans for the Spring Offensive of 1918 as they contemplated the return of 45 Divisions from the Eastern Front. Operations 'Michael', , in a desperate hope to finish the war on their terms before the arrival of US forces in strength.
The significant victory of the Austro-German forces against the Italian Army at the Battle of Caporetto and the forthcoming Battle of Cambrai forced the British into a parallel diversion of resources away from the sector and make an end to offensive actions in the Ypres Salient.
It would thereafter be relatively quiet until March of the following year.
Compiled by Steve Larkins 2016 updated 2024
Sources:
The Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-18 Vol IV The AIF in France 1917, BEAN, C.E.W Angus & Robertson Ltd ,Sydney, 6th Edition 1938,
