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Experiences of the Great War

Victory at Passchendaele

The Battle of Passchendaele in 1917 effectively ended with the capture of the Passchendaele Ridge.

At the start of the battle, this had been seen as a crucial prerequisite to a successful break-through to Ostend and the coast (with a view to destroying the German U-boat fleet), but now it was seen almost as an end in itself — a clear illustration of the futility of the battle.

However, Passchendaele probably did have a more positive effect in the long term, since it wore down the Germans and therefore contributed indirectly to their eventual defeat.

General Haig reported:

'The operations were completely successful. Passchendaele was taken, as also were Mosselmarkt and Goudberg.'

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