OTD 31 July 1917 Battle of Passchendaele

- July 31, 2017

Some history ...

31 July 1917 marks the start of the Battle of Passchendaele, also known as
the Third Battle of Ypres.

This was a military campaign during the First World War, fought by the
Allies (British Empire, Russian Empire and the French Republic)
against the German Empire.

The Battle, took place on the Western Front from 31 July 1917 to
November 1917 for the control around Ypres, a city located in West Flanders,
Belgium. Passchendaele lays on the east side of Ypres around 8 km or 5 miles
from the city.

This battle of 1917 was controversial. It was the British Prime Minister,
David Lloyd George who opposed the offensive. General Ferdinand Foch,
the French Chief of the General Staff was opposed too.

cross on a cemetery of the Commonwealth near Ypres, Belgium

The choice to fight in Flanders came from General Hubert Gough.

Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig (commanding the British
Expeditionary Force - BEF) did not receive approval for the Flanders
operation until 25 July 1917.

When soldiers of the British Empire, they came from Australia, Canada,
India, Newfoundland, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom,
received the orders of Sir Douglas Haig, the battle started.

fighting in Flanders fields - picture taken from a painting

Unfortunately the losses were high and a lot of young men died in terrible
circumstances.

A lot of Cemeteries in Flanders Fields ...

To remember them a lot of commemorations took place in and around Ypres
on 30 and 31 July 2017.

On 31 July 2017, there will be a ceremony at the Tyne Cot Cemetery. This is
the biggest cemetery of the Commonwealth in Flanders Fields. It is located
in Zonnebeke.

A lot of royals will attend the ceremony:

- King Philippe of the Belgians;
- his wife Queen Mathilde;
- Charles, Prince of Wales;
- William, Duke of Cambridge;
- Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

Lest we forget!