World War 1, Europe Belgium Ypres, 1918
1918View of the leaning crucifix in Ypres
During World War One, five major battles were fought around the Belgian town of Ypres. All five Australian divisions took part in the Third Battle of Ypres, which was a series of battles culminating in the Battles of Passchendaele July – November 1917.
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The Third Battle of Ypres opened on 31 July 1917, but bad weather in August partially flooded the battlefield and a further British attack on 16 August gained little ground. A new strategy known as ‘step by step’ or ‘bite and hold’ was adopted, which called for an advance that would not extend beyond supporting artillery that could assist in defeating the expected enemy counterattacks. On 20 September, the Australians were given the task of advancing along the Menin Road towards Gheulevelt. With good planning and efficient artillery, the Battle of the Menin Road was a great success. Further successful advances followed at the Battle of Polygon Wood on 26 September and at the Battle of Broodseinde, on 4 October although casualties were heavy.
The weather again broke and constant rain turned the battlefield into a quagmire. Further attacks on 9 October at Poelcappelle and on 12 October at Passchendaele failed with heavy loss. The Canadian Corps was now given the task, and in five attacks between 26 October and 10 November, succeeded in capturing Passchendaele. Over 38,000 Australians were killed or wounded in the Ypres battles. The stone lions that marked the Menin Gate in the Ypres ramparts during the war now flank the entrance hall at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
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Nearest geotagged records:
- World War 1, Europe Belgium Ypres, 1914 (0.01km away)
- World War 1, Europe, Belgium, Ypres, 1918 (0.09km away)
- World War 1 , Europe, Belgium, Ypres, 1918 (0.11km away)
- World War 1, Europe Belgium Ypres, 1917 (0.11km away)
- World War 1, Europe Belgium Ypres, 1914 (0.14km away)
- World War 1, Europe, Belgium, Ypres, 1918 (0.17km away)
- World War 1, Europe, Belgium, Ypres, 1914 (0.18km away)
- World War 1, Europe, Belgium, Ypres, 1917 (0.21km away)
- Railway Operating Division - Postcard, GARBETT, 1918 (0.47km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, DOWDELL, 10 Light Horse (0.48km away)
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Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
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