Military History: First World War: Battlefront, 1917: Passchendaele

Changing Tactics

Vimy Ridge

The Allies were determined to press their advantage. A campaign through Belgium was planned for the fall, and the Canadian Corps was ordered to capture Passchendaele. On 26 October, the attack on Passchendaele (Third Battle of Ypres) began. The Germans held the high ground and had the advancing armies at their mercy. But the Canadians crawled forward through the mud until they captured the small town. After holding it for five days, the Canadians had 15,654 dead and wounded. Nine Canadians were awarded the Victoria Cross, which was the British Empire's highest military honour.

City of Edmonton Archives (Loyal Edmonton Regiment Collection, A98-96, Box 4).

Passchendaele, n.d.

This photograph shows the Passchendaele "duckwalk," which was used to assist troop movements and communications over muddy and uneven terrain. Canadian forces took the Belgian village of Passchendaele, a central objective of the Allied forces, on 6 November 1917.

"The Passchendaele Show," by Rolly Knight.

"A" Company's Rolly Knight, who is shown in the accompanying picture, recounts his experiences at Passchendaele.

Passchendaele.

Canon Frederick G. Scott, Chaplain of the First Canadian Division, recalls both the horror and the heroism of Passchendaele.

The Fortyniner, No. 24, January 1937.

Rolly Knight and Charlie Walker, n.d.

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