100 Years Ago The Battle For Passchendaele Began



DW: WWI commemorations of Third Battle of Ypres begin

The Belgian town of Passchendaele is marking the 100th anniversary of the start of one the bloodiest battles of the First World War. The casualties were massive and, quite possibly, unnecessary.

Two days of commemorations of one of the worst battles of the First World War are underway in the 3,000-inhabitant town of Passchendaele and the surrounding area in West Flanders, Belgium. At least 460,000 soldiers died in the Battle of Passchendaele, also known as the Third Battle of Ypres, which lasted from July 31 to December 31, 1917.

The official ceremony opened with the playing of the Last Post, a bugle call in the British Army and other armed forces, at Menin Gate in Ypres. July 31 sees a memorial service in the Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest graveyard for British Commonwealth forces in the world. Ceremonies are jointly organized by the UK government and local Belgian authorities.

Read more ....

Subscribe to receive free email updates:

Related Posts :