New Zealand Road To Passchendaele

Welcome tot he start of the New Zealand Road to Passchendaele. This walk is dedicated to New Zealand’s story during the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as the Battle of Passchendaele.

After the battle of Passchendaele had stalled, the offensive returned at the end of September 1917. To take the crucial ridges east of Ypres, it was decided to deploy troops from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, or ANZAC.

The New Zealanders went on the offensive for the first time during the Battle of Broodseinde on 4 October 1917 they were sent out to take the strategically important ‘s Graventafel plateau. On 9 October, British troops unsuccessfully attempted to approach Passchendaele. Three days later is was the turn of the ANZAC troops to try. For the Allies, 12 October was to be a bloody day, especially for the New Zealanders. At Bellevue Ridge, they were unable to break through the German defences. The flooded Ravebeek Valley, full of barbed wire and constantly under machine gun fire, made it almost impossible to attack. It proved to be the bloodiest day in the history of New Zealand, with no fewer than 2.700 dead, wounded and missing. In the first four hours of the battle alone, 846 New Zealanders were killed.

If you follow this trail you will cross the historic battlefield of the New Zealand troops who in 1917, together with Australians, were given the difficult task of taking the Passchendaele ridges. At the Zonnebeke Castle tourist office and the De Oude Kaasmakerij (Old Cheese Factory), you can get a brochure with a map containing practical and additional information.

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Source

• Text: Luc Van Waeyenberge
• Photos: Luc Van Waeyenberge
• Informatiebord