Why did the battle of Passchendaele happen?

Answer 1

The Battle of Passchendaele is referred to in some texts as the Third Battle of Ypres. It was one of the more significant battles of WWI, and involved British, ANZAC, and Canadian troops against the Germans.

The purpose of the battle was to gain control of the village of Passchendaele (now Passendale) near the town of Ypres in West Flanders (now part of Belgium). The line of strategy was to create a vulnerability in the German lines, continue to the Belgian coast and capture the German submarine bases on the coastline. If the Allies won, it would have been a defining battle, opening a corridor of strategically significant ground along the war front. It also would have have taken some of the pressure off the French defence forces.

The campaign for Passchendaele began on 31 July 1917 and continued through to 6 November 1917, when the Canadian Corps gained control of Passchendaele. The campaign was long, intense and demoralising both physically and mentally, since the preparatory bombing from the British ripped up the countryside which was basically just reclaimed swampland. The countryside was transformed into liquid mud after heavy rains fell from August onwards. It is unknown how many soldiers drowned.

Answer 2

The Battle of Passchendaele was fought between the Allies and the Germans to control the ridges south and east of Ypres. It was an offensive mounted by the Allies in order to deny the Germans a crucial supply route.

Answer 3

It started because the Germans installed U-Boat docks and stations on the Belgian coast. This was to prevent the English naval ships from passing. Soon enough, the English were sent in to take care of it, along with the Canadiens and the ANZAC.