Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Civic Brief • World War I

Battle of Passchendaele

The Battle of Passchendaele, also known as the Third Battle of Ypres, was a major First World War campaign fought in Belgium from 31 July to 10 November 1917.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

It became infamous for heavy casualties, muddy conditions, and limited territorial gains, and is often used as a symbol of the futility of trench warfare.

What it is

The Battle of Passchendaele was a major offensive on the Western Front during the First World War, fought around the Ypres salient in Belgium. It lasted over 100 days and is notorious for the extreme mud, rain, and devastated landscape that made movement and combat nearly impossible.

Why it matters

Passchendaele is remembered as a symbol of the suffering and stalemate of trench warfare. Despite capturing the village of Passchendaele in November 1917, the Allies achieved limited strategic gain, and casualty estimates exceed 250,000 on each side. The battle remains a key example of attritional warfare.

Key details

The Canadian Corps played a central role in the final phase, capturing Passchendaele village in October and November 1917. The battle is one of the costliest in Canadian military history. Allied commanders, including Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, aimed to break out of the Ypres salient but failed to achieve a decisive breakthrough.

In short

  • Fought from 31 July to 10 November 1917 in Belgium.
  • Notorious for mud, rain, and heavy casualties on both sides.
  • Canadian forces captured Passchendaele village in the final phase.
  • Limited strategic gain despite tactical victory.
Canadian angle

Canadian soldiers played a prominent role in the final assault and capture of Passchendaele, making the battle an important part of Canada’s First World War military history.[8][12][14]

Quick questions

What was the Battle of Passchendaele?
It was a major First World War battle, also called the Third Battle of Ypres, fought by Allied and German forces in Belgium in 1917.
Why is Passchendaele remembered?
It is remembered for extreme mud, heavy casualties, and the limited gains achieved after months of fighting.
Did Canada take part?
Yes. Canadian forces played a major role in the final stages and in the capture of Passchendaele village.

Sources

  1. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Passchendaele
    Supports: Battle dates, location, participants, and general significance.
  2. Imperial War Museums — https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-third-battle-of-ypres-passchendaele
    Supports: Alternative name, duration, muddy conditions, casualty scale, and limited strategic success.
  3. Veterans Affairs Canada — https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/military-history/first-world-war/battle-passchendaele
    Supports: Canadian involvement and battle dates.
  4. Canadian War Museum — https://www.warmuseum.ca/firstworldwar/history/battles-and-fighting/land-battles/passchendaele/
    Supports: Canadian role, casualty estimates, and historical significance.
  5. National Army Museum — https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/battle-passchendaele
    Supports: Background, casualties, and abandonment of positions in 1918.
  6. Passchendaele Museum — https://passchendaele.be/en/about-us/battle-of-passchendaele/
    Supports: Symbolic significance, scale of casualties, and battlefield movement.