NZ in Passchendaele offensive

Announcement Date: 04/10/1917

Third Battle of Ypres; the push for Passchendaele 31st July – 6th November 1917.

The NZ Division made its first attack in the Passchendaele offensive on the 4th October 1917.  Its role was to act as flanking cover for an Australian attack on Broodseinde Ridge by taking Gravenstafel Spur.  While their objective was achieved on this day, the ensuing muddy conditions saw subsequent attacks by the Allies on the 9th and 12th falter resulting in significant causalities.  New Zealand alone suffered 3700 casualties from the Bellevue Spur attack on the 12th October.  They were finally relieved by the Canadians on the 18th October.

Read more about the Passchendaele offensive

Image
NZ Field gun, Ypres, 1917,1914-1918,PH-RESOS-59, Auckland War Memorial Museum

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