Information Board Village Center Passchendaele 1917

In 1914, just eight years after a major renovation, a first shell penetrated the church of Passendale. The church was more or less spared for the following three years. But during the offensive in 1917 the damaged building was completely shot to pieces.

On 6 November, after heavy shelling the Canadians of the 27th Battalion from Winnepeg took the area between Crest Farm and the church. In the crater landscape they faced fierce resistance from snipers. An hour and a half after the start of the attack the final objective was reached. In front of them there was a impenetrable morass. In the distance they could see Roeselare, which sharmply contrasted with the lunar landscape behind them. The next day it became obvious that both sides had suffered great losses. At the church alone, 76 dead Germans can be counted and the many killed Canadians had to be buried where they fell. It was impossible to carry them back because of the impassable roads. In the meantime the Germans continued shelling the village center. Near the ruins of the church a ‘lamp visual station’ was put up. This allowed quick communication with headquarters at Tyne Cot through the heavy smoke. The Canadians stayed here to mid-November, after an ultimate attach north of the village on 10 November.

After the war the church was rebuilt following the pre-war design. Covered under tons of debris, lots of stones were recycled for the reconstruction, such as iron-sandstones from the 11th century. They can be found in the side aisle and in the enclosure round the churchyard.

Do you have more information about this location? Inform us!

Source

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