Passchendaele, Battle of

In World War I, successful but costly British operation to capture the Passchendaele ridge in western Flanders, part of the third Battle of Ypres October–November 1917; British casualties numbered nearly 310,000. The name is often erroneously applied to the whole of the battle of Ypres, but Passchendaele was in fact just part of that battle.

The ridge, some 60 m/200 ft high, had been captured and fortified by the Germans in October 1914. It was a vital strategic gain as it gave them command of the Allied lines. Hence, its capture was an important target of the British strategy during the third battle of Ypres, despite the strong resistance offered by the German defenders. It was re-taken by the Germans in March 1918 and recovered again by the Belgians in October 1918.