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.

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More News On Remembering The Battle For Passchendaele

Passchendaele: Ceremony honours 'bravery' -- BBC
Passchendaele, 100 years on: Remembering the soldiers who ‘died in hell’ -- France 24
Battle of Passchendaele remembered in Ypres, Belgium -- DW
Battle of Passchendaele: Ceremony in Belgium marks 100 years since one of First World War’s deadliest offensives -- The Independent
Prince William remembers the Battle of Passchendaele at the Menin Gate in Ypres -- International Business Times
William hails `sacrifice´ of war dead at centenary of Battle of Passchendaele -- Daily Mail
Passchendaele, 100 years on: a final great act of remembrance -- Daniel Boffey, The Guardian
Passchendaele's untold army of women nurses -- BBC